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MAD CADDIES | AUTHORITY ZERO
Live at Garden Amp
November 12, 2024 Review by Kevin Gomez
A completely stacked tour was announced earlier this year, featuring three lights out bands – the punk-ska driven lineup of Mad Caddies, Authority Zero, and Belvedere – would be ripping across California, Nevada, and Arizona.
For their stop at Garden Amp in Garden Grove, Mad Caddies took over both stages with an additional four bands packing in the Locker Room – White Caps, Implants, Hoist the Colors and Informal Society.
Belvedere was the first band kicking off the main stage and they opened with “Happily Never After,” the lead track off of their 2021 release.
The skate punk band played the popular “Subhuman Nature” and “Years,” which saw the evening’s first pit break out.
They looked and sounded sharp as ever, playing complex guitar riffs from lead singer Steve Rawles and guitarist Dan Wollach. After a high energy set, the Calgary band finished with “Closed Doors” and “Brandy Wine.”
The crowd packed in tightly for one of the evening’s co-headliners, the always ready Authority Zero. Lead singer Jason DeVore recently told me they will often tailor their setlists depending on the night and the fans in attendance. They opened with “12:34” and by the time they hit “Sirens,” the entire crowd was hopping in place and singing every word.
DeVore announced, “It’s our 30th birthday as a band” and dedicated “When We Rule the World” to “everybody who thinks they know what they’re doing.”
The song featured really nice backing vocals by bassist Mike Spero. DeVore announced, “We’re going back in time” before guitarist Brandon Landelius and drummer Chris Dalley kicked off the ska “Over Seasons.”
A gnarly bass intro from Spero for “Revolution” opened up a big pit as Dalley provided impressive back beat. DeVore slowed things down, strapping on a guitar for “Big Bad World.”
They brought things back to their first two albums with “One More Minute” and their cover of “Mexican Radio.” DeVore provided machine-gun speed lyrics for his rendition of “Rattlin’ Bog” and the band tore the place apart closing with “Life One Up.”
Mad Caddies closed out the main stage as the night’s headliners, opening with “The Dirge,” a short and sweet song that sounds like jazz music on speed. “Backyard” takes on a slowed down, reggae vibe highlighted by guitarist and lead singer Chuck Robertson’s smooth vocals.
“Tired Bones” is a clash between ragtime and ska and in just four songs in you can see the wide range of variety in the Mad Caddies’ catalogue.
For “Palm Trees and Pines,” I was standing right in front of Ian Cook and his guitar tone sounded just beautiful. (Cook, formerly of Larry and His Flask, joined the Caddies as lead guitarist earlier this year.)
“Arrows Rom 117,” the title track off of their latest album saw incredible simultaneous solos from Cook and the wonderful Sean Sellers on drums. Robertson announced they would be playing five songs in a row that were all at least 20 years old to a huge ovation. These songs included my favorite, “Contraband,” as well as “Monkeys,” and “Road Rash,” all of which brought out the biggest pits of the evening.
“Monkeys” featured an impressive trumpet solo from Jason Lichau, who Robertson announced was celebrating his birthday that night.
The Caddies continued to play the remaining songs from over 20 years ago, including the pirate shanty “Weird Beard” and then “Villains,” which Robertson explained was a song about living in a small town.
The Caddies played one of my favorite songs, “Drinking for 11,” as well as fan favorite, “Coyote.” Due to the venue’s strict 10 p.m. curfew, the band was just able to finish playing their last song of the night, “Mary Melody” right down to the very last second as they eyeballed the clock.
Despite the main stage’s curfew being finished, the Locker Room is an indoor room that does not have the same time constraints. Diehard fans headed over to the Locker Room following the Caddies setlist for a set from punk rock supergroup, Implants. Chris Dalley from Authority was pulling double duty tonight as he also drums for Implants, who had not played a show in over two years, so this really was a special treat for fans. They opened with “Life Passes“ and “Parallel,” their huge sound coming across even louder in such a tiny space.
Rob Ramos (Strung Out) shredded a solo on “Radio Out” while lead singer Kenneth Conte announced, “This ain’t our song,” and they launched into a cover of Strung Out’s “Mutualism.” They played the catchy “Once Was I” that saw fans singing along, a song that has become a staple of SiriusXM’s Faction Punk setlist. The band played an energetic set that included “Raise This Flag” and “Each Day” before coming to a conclusion with “Standard Issue.”
It was another incredible night of music from Mad Caddies and Authority Zero, with a few more dates on the tour. Don’t miss your chance at catching it while you can.
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