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)
Pyramid Scheme
Mad Caddies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The beasts are salivating to the fresh scent of the week
They're moving in with a penetrating grin
Sliding through your backdoor
while your babies are asleep
We're walking blind with wool over our eyes
Now if we don't think about it will it go away
Hang us out to dry so the wolves can feed
You can see it in their eyes filled up with greed
And we are all left sucking at the end of this pyramid scheme
Running through this nightmare but I'm wide awake
I hear the footsteps in the dark
and it's more than I can take
They're rising up from the depths to fill their cup
Never to the top because it never is enough
They want it all no matter what the cost is
If we don't think about it will it go away
The lyrics in Mad Caddies' song "Pyramid Scheme" offer a critique of modern societal systems, particularly those built around capitalism. The "badlands" represent the harsh reality of a world where the strongest and most ruthless prevail. The "beasts" refer to those at the top of the pyramid, who are always hungry for more and will stop at nothing to get it. They are described as having a "penetrating grin" as they invade and conquer those beneath them.
The lyrics suggest that many of us are blissfully unaware of this hierarchy or have "wool over our eyes." We continue to walk blindly through life and hope that the problems of the world will just go away if we don't think about them. But the truth is that the "beasts" are taking what they want, not what they need, and they are leaving the rest of us to suffer the consequences. The song is a call to wake up and recognize the reality of our situation, to fight against these flawed systems and to create a more just and equitable world.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking through the badlands taking in the scenery
We are amidst a barren, lifeless place, observing our surroundings.
The beasts are salivating to the fresh scent of the week
The predators are eagerly waiting to attack the vulnerable prey.
They're moving in with a penetrating grin
They approach with a taunting, smug smile on their faces.
Sliding through your backdoor while your babies are asleep
They use deceitful tactics to intrude your personal space without your knowledge or consent, taking advantage of your weakness.
We're walking blind with wool over our eyes
We are unaware and ignorant to the true motives of these predators, having a veil of ignorance clouding our vision.
Now if we don't think about it will it go away
By ignoring the situation, are we hoping that it will simply disappear?
Because they're taking what they want not what they need
The predators are motivated by insatiable greed, taking more than what they need due to their lust for power and control.
Hang us out to dry so the wolves can feed
The victims are left alone and helpless, being ruthlessly attacked by those in power without support or aid.
You can see it in their eyes filled up with greed
Their insatiable hunger for more is clearly depicted in their eyes.
And we are all left sucking at the end of this pyramid scheme
We are all left with a disadvantage at the bottom of a hierarchical system that benefits only the few at the top.
Running through this nightmare but I'm wide awake
We are in the midst of a horrific dream, but wide awake and conscious to the reality of the situation.
I hear the footsteps in the dark and it's more than I can take
The ominous signs of danger are present and overwhelming, causing fear and unease.
They're rising up from the depths to fill their cup
Their thirst for power and control knows no bounds, as they rise up from the depths to get what they want.
Never to the top because it never is enough
Their desire for more and more is a bottomless pit, which means they will never be satisfied.
They want it all no matter what the cost is
The predators are willing to go to any length to get what they desire, regardless of the consequences.
If we don't think about it will it go away
By ignoring the problem, are we merely delaying the inevitable and causing further harm?
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.