Founding members Chuck Robertson, Sascha Lazor, Todd Rosenberg, Carter Benson and James Malis started the group in high school but the band's membership has changed frequently since its inception. Drummer Todd Rosenberg left the band in 1999, Benson left the band in 2002, and bassist Mark Iversen left the band in 2006. The current lineup consists of:
* Chuck Robertson (lead vocals/rhythm guitar/primary lyricist)
* Sascha Lazor (lead guitar/banjo/primary composer),
* Keith Douglas (trumpet/backing vocals)
* Ed Hernandez (trombone)
* Brian Flenniken (drums/percussion),
* Cris Badham (bass guitar).
The band used to play under the name The Ivy League, but in 1996 they changed their name after signing to the Honest Don's Records label to avoid confusion (and potential litigation) with two prior bands that went by the same moniker. The band's debut album, Quality Soft Core, was released the following year. After the release of the album, the band was signed to Fat Mike's label Fat Wreck Chords, through which the Mad Caddies have since released 4 studio albums, an EP and a live album.
Discography
* Quality Soft Core (1997)
* Duck and Cover (1998)
* Rock the Plank (2001)
* Just One More (2003)
* Songs in the Key of Eh! (Live from Toronto) (2004)
* Keep It Going (5/1/2007)
* Consentual Selections (2010)
EP
* The Holiday Has Been Cancelled (2000)
* 2007 Tour EP (Sold only on their 2007 tour, with 2 new tracks from Keep It Going, plus 4 older songs) (2007)
Monkeys
Mad Caddies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch out for them monkeys
Those crazy big guys
Drinking downtown
Monkeys
Watch out for them monkeys
They'll knock you right off
They'll take pleasure being hormonally insane
They'll find solace knocking you right upside the brain
The lyrics of Mad Caddies's song 'Monkeys' depict a warning of sorts about the wild and unpredictable behavior of certain individuals that can be likened to that of monkeys. The song opens with the singer urging caution around these "crazy big guys" who are often found drinking downtown. The second verse is a repeating of the warning, but this time with a clear visual of what the monkeys are capable of - knocking people right off their feet and onto the ground. The final verse highlights the monkeys' tendency to relish in their unpredictable and hormone-induced behavior, taking pleasure in knocking others upside the brain.
Essentially, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the chaos that can ensue when certain individuals feel empowered to behave recklessly or violently. The use of monkeys as a metaphor is effective in conveying the sense of untamed wildness and unpredictability that these individuals embody.
One interesting fact about 'Monkeys' is that it was originally released in 1995 on the band's debut album 'Quality Soft Core.' However, it wasn't until several years later that the song gained popularity in the punk/ska scene, eventually becoming a staple of the Mad Caddies' live shows. Another interesting tidbit is that the band has cited the Clash as a major influence, and their music is often compared to that of Operation Ivy and Rancid.
In terms of chords, the song features a fairly straightforward progression that should be accessible to intermediate guitar players. The intro and verses are based around a simple F-G-C progression, while the chorus alternates between C and G. The bridge features a brief modulation to G# before returning to the main progression.
Chords:
Intro/Verse: F - G - C
Chorus: C - G
Bridge: G# - F - G - C
Line by Line Meaning
Watch out for them monkeys
Be cautious of these wild and unpredictable beings
Those crazy big guys
These monkeys are not only wild, but also large and potentially dangerous
Drinking downtown
They can be found in the urban areas where they frequent bars and other places where alcohol is served
They'll knock you right off
These monkeys are not afraid to use physical force to knock you down
Your feet onto the ground
They will do this with the intention of causing harm and humiliating you
They'll take pleasure being hormonally insane
These monkeys are driven by their primal urges and enjoying acting with reckless abandon
They'll find solace knocking you right upside the brain
The monkeys derive satisfaction from causing you physical pain, particularly to your head
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN FORREST DAVIS, SEBASTIAN BARNABY ROBERTSON, STEPHEN BAIRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cross-eyedmary6619
Loved this album when I was 15 and 16 years old…still listing 22 years later at 38 😂
@mrdankhimself
Ever prank an entire house by setting this song to everyone’s alarm at 5am? It’s real funny.
@kenraq2000
There's nothing on earth like this track. I must've listened 1000 times
@svorke
same, been listening to it for 89 years.
@jean-philippepouliot480
Seen em live twice they are awesome !! Loooong time ago ... back in the earlie 2000 ... good old punk rock ska times
@egoborder3203
I love monkeys, I love Mad Caddies, and I love "Monkeys" by Mad Caddies
@greenlionaudio
You fucken hit the jackpot here then mate!
@kathyschumm841
Just had a reminder on FB. My friend n me me used to listen to this song back then. 9 years ago she reminded me on it and posted it on my Fb. So happy now to listen to it again 😅😂
@jdion79
This song is bananas!
@wikusstrydom9015
This song takes me to fucking GOOD times.....