It was the perfect timing for a ska-punk show, right in the middle of the week when folks are searching for that “pick-me-up” to make it to the weekend. The Mad Caddies were back once again, bringing the party to Club Soda this evening with the perfect opener, locals K-Man and the 45’s.
K-Man and the 45’s
What better way to start tonight than with K-Man and his crew? Take a good amount of punk, double the amount of ska, throw in a handful of dirty reggae, a pinch of rock and roll swagger, and you’ve got the recipe for K-Man and the 45’s.
Over the years, the band has become a staple in the Montreal music scene and gained a huge following everywhere they go. This makes sense since singer Kristin ‘K-man’ Daniels and bandmates are the most down-to-earth guys you’ll meet. When they play in town, it feels like a big, fun reunion of a musical family.
Fresh off the rest of the tour out west with the ‘Caddies, they gave us a taste of the new songs off the album Primed To Go. The third release on Stomp Records was mainly written during the pandemic. With fun songs like “The Girl Likes Heavy Metal” and “Daytime Drinking,” the fans were digging the vibe. Beer cans held up for many cheers during the set, some flying toward the band.
From the precision timing of drummer Boris Varbanov and bass player Frankie Poirier amping things up, you could tell when a band is truly having a blast. Feeding off that excitement, trombone player Joshua Michaud and saxophonist Sam Hampell danced about and incited the audience to get crazier, rocking people’s clothes off, literally. Things were heating up fast.
“Stand With The Youth” and “Space Thriller” were two of my favourite songs played in this set. One touching on more social issues lyrically and then at the opposite end, a sexy intergalactic thriller. What makes it such a contrasting fun show is being able to switch it up on a dime.
There was less banter than usual from K-man as the show started later than planned. It was a smart move; waiting ten minutes made all the difference to fill things out a bit more. All in all, they fit as many songs in as they could, leaving the crowd wanting an encore.
Mad Caddies
Mad Caddies always have the best time here. They think of Quebec as a second home. As such an entertaining live act, they manage to retain the same amount of energy, whether it’s a festival or on a small stage. Lead singer and guitarist Chuck Robertson came out tonight with a huge smile, knowing he was going to get the same amount of energy from Montreal fans as he put in.
Starting fast with “The Dirge” and then taking it down a notch with a handful of slower-paced songs from the album Keep it Going, the crowd was a chaotic mix of moshing, surfing, and dancing. Club Soda balcony was closed, which is unusual for such a show, but it didn’t stop anyone from pushing past the rope and taking the best vantage point. It’s a spectacle in itself just to observe how nuts Montrealers truly get for them.
After a great cover of “She” from Green Day, they gave us a preview of the forthcoming album Arrows Room 117, playing a few new songs. I happened to grab a copy ten days before its release at the merch table. It’s got a slower, more danceable sound, which I’m enjoying, keeping with the true Caddies sound, which is a bit of everything under the sun.
My friend, who was experiencing them for the first time tonight, said it took her ears on a trip to New Orleans, referring to some of the older songs off Rock the Plank and Duck and Cover albums. Songs are heavy on the horn section from the likes of trombone player Stephane Montigny and trumpet player Jason “Wild Card” Lechau. They had to be a little winded after diving into six songs back-to-back without banter in between.
When it comes to Mad Caddies encores, we might as well just say the second half of the show. They always save the best for last. “Drinking For Eleven” is one of those songs and their most popular. A sad sing-along song, and since we’ve all been through some form of heartbreak, I could see the lyrics struck a nerve with a few teary eyes in the crowd, even me.
Turning the energy back up with the flare of “Just One More” and the antics in “Coyote,” the crowd was automatically slowing down unintentionally, mostly to do with all the energy already expended. Some hadn’t stopped for the entire show. The die-hard pit dwellers were still surfing and making their way onto the stage, mostly kids or anyone under the age of twenty-five at least. I envy the kids having this be their first punk show. Imagine the stories they’ll have for their friends the next day.
Finishing with a very long version of “Mary Melody,” the night winded down to a close with a very sweaty, exhausted but satisfied crowd; always left wanting more by starting the famous “Ole Ole” chant that dissipated quickly as it was late Wednesday and past most people’s bedtimes. It was exactly the pick-me-up I needed. With festival season coming up fast, I won’t be surprised when we see them back again before 2024 ends.
Review – Sam Morris
Photos – Kieron Yates
