Mad Caddies, The Aggrolites

The eclectic Mad Caddies have once again brought forth their fresh and youthful sound and captured it on their newest studio full length, Just One More. The record takes it's name from a sign prominently displayed at a Santa Barbara dive bar where the Caddies spend most of their time and even more of their money. It seems as though the music of the islands have had a strong influence because time around the Mad Caddies focus on the downbeat melodic sounds of reggae, dancehall, and even salsa. It makes for a very infectious and rhythmic record, and as the cover art displays, the album has a very mellow 'speakeasy' aesthetic. One listen will have you mixin' drinks and lightin' stogies!

Hailing from the central coast of California, the mayhem-core ensemble known as the Mad Caddies came into existence in the summer of 1995. Late in 1996, having grown tired of the regular sun, sand, and surf routine, they opted to lock themselves in a barn where they could truly focus on their music. At this point in the story things could have gotten ugly. Luckily when the band reemerged from the ramshackle studio they had completed their debut album, Quality Soft Core. Punk rock pariah Fat Mike heard their stuff and wasted no time bringing the young upstarts aboard his label, Fat Wreck Chords.

The Mad Caddies' talents reach far beyond the boundaries of ska and punk, enabling them to throw a musical curve ball into the mix without notice. Rockabilly, reggae, dixie, jazz, surf, country, and swing are all styles in which the group is well versed and aren't afraid to inject to their unique brand of rock. The members of the Mad Caddies are as diverse as the music they perform, but their most notable member is lead vocalist Chuck. Despite his penchant for booze and all things smokable, Chuck's sweet voice prevails and his crooning could make even Morrissey blush.

The band toured the U.S. countless times, including stints on '97, '98, '00, '03 Warped Tours and even went on both the Euro and American Fat Tours of 2000! Between all this time on the road, the Mad Caddies have managed to release an EP and two other full lengths on Fat: Duck and Cover, and the album that launched the sub-genre of Pirate-Core, Rock The Plank. Shiver me timbers! Think about it, the lifestyle of the Mad Caddies consists of travelling around the country, making port in unfamiliar towns, causing trouble, imbibing spirits, and random pillaging. Blue Beard eat your heart out! Well, the fate of Pirate-Core has yet to be determined, but no one can deny their…uhhh…originality?

After the making of Just One More the guys decided it wasn't enough to release their strongest and most diverse record to date. Oh no. They took the world by storm on the Warped Tour's mainstage and headlined the Fat Tour in America and in Europe alongside labelmates Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms, and more. These kids were busy in 2003, and if that didn't bring their lonely girlfriends to tears, their subsequent tours of Japan and Australia certainly did. Of course all of this outrageous touring led to the release of Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh. Now everyone can experience the Mad Caddies live! Look for these boys to have continued success throughout 2005 as they are working on a new and, you guessed it, more touring!

"The group's upbeat, soul-infused reggae attack puts the rock back in rocksteady. Mixing ska, Motown and punk-rock energy with Jamaican rhythm, The Aggrolites tear it up with the intensity of The Clash and the heart of the Caribbean." - Ink Magazine (February 2009)

The Aggrolites are more than a band they are a movement unto themselves. They carry a banner - one created with their own hands. This banner reads, "Dirty Reggae," and represents their signature fusion of reggae, soul, grit and determination. For seven magnificent years, this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street USA. They rally the kids, the parents, the students, the cops, the bosses and the drifters. The people come, they relish in The Aggrolites, the dirty reggae and the joy that comes with it all. The liberating rhythms and catchy grooves demand a return trip.

Out of the Los Angeles school of hard knocks, The Aggrolites have earned a Ph.D in "feel good music." On the road they educate with the thunder and punch of the reggae drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse Wagner's voice - a gift from the heavens, a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson.

The Aggrolites have a specific way of making music. They don't over think it, they don't obsess over pop culture demands, they walk onto a stage or into a recording studio and let "it" happen - a culmination of inspiration - from the road, from playing along side music legends, and from the energy and motivation of their die hard fans. A new album is due for release in June 2009 and they call it IV. It is a definitive chapter in The Aggrolites journey with 21 tracks; each one a story of their struggle to thrive and their quest to spread soulful music around the globe.

So, when you are in the mood to drop your troubles and kick your baggage to the curb, call on The Aggrolites. Forget yourself and feel the dirty reggae!

The Aggrolites are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar), Roger Rivas (organ) and Jeff Roffredo (bass).

They have three full-length albums to their credit -- Dirty Reggae (Axe 2003), The Aggrolites (Hellcat 2006) and Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat 2007), featuring the hit "Free Time." "A glorious, surprising treat. Ideal for your next soul shakedown party," raved Peter Relic from Rolling Stone about Reggae Hit L.A.

Their songs are featured on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour Compilation and numerous Give 'Em The Boot compilations on Hellcat. In 2007, the band also collaborated with Rancid front-man Tim Armstrong on his solo A Poet's Life (Hellcat 2007) CD/DVD release.

The Aggrolites are well represented in film, television and video games. Their songs have been featured in NBC's Friday Night Lights, MTV's The Hills, Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba, USA's Dr. Steve-O, MavTV's Rad Girls, the award-winning surf film The Pursuit, and Australian video game Cricket. The Aggros-backed, Tim Armstrong and Skye Sweetnam duet, "Into Action," is featured in Dream Works Pictures' Hotel For Dogs. Their renditions of The Specials' "Ghost Town" and Musical Youth's "Pass The Dutchie" will be heard in the upcoming teen surf comedy Endless Bummer, and "Free Time" will be in Walden Media's musical-romantic comedy Band Slam.

The Aggrolites have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, Rancid, Flogging Molly, 311, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dropkick Murphys, The Vandals, Against Me!, The Aquabats, Hepcat, The Skatalites, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. They have graced the stages at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Bumbershoot, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, L.A. Film Fest, Sunset Junction, Detour Music Fest, KROQ's Weenie Roast, 94/9 Independence Jam and Ragga Muffins Fest. In 2009, they will add Coachella and Lowlands to this growing festival list.