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)
Something's Wrong At The Playground
Mad Caddies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I started smokin' at the age of 13
Back of the class that's where we'd hang around
But they could not bring us down
And now they're on the run
Little Johnny's mad and he's got a gun
Just kids having fun
No alibi
I saw you back when you were just like them
I know its true
[Chorus]
And we all fall down together
Ashes to ashes as we burn this fucker down
On the merry go round the kids are learning
Yeah there's something wrong at the playground.
Well high school was just a holding cell for me
With no freedom as we learn democracy
Spent most of my days in the back lot
A cherry burning bright but a future that's not
And now were on the run
Try not to think a lot
And just keep on having fun
No responsibility
You can't deny
No alibi
You were just like them
I saw you back then
I know its true
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "Something's Wrong At The Playground" by Mad Caddies speaks of rebellion against the confines of the education system. The first verse depicts the disregard for school and authority with the singer choosing smoking and hanging out at the back of the class over education. Despite what the teachers might have thought, these activities couldn't bring them down. The chorus features a description of burning down the playground that represents the school system. The singer is suggesting that school no longer serves its purpose to educate or offer a positive learning environment. The verses tell a story of being trapped in the education system without hope for the future. High school merely serves as a holding cell. Without any freedom, the singer can only find enjoyment in the backlot and amongst the company of friends.
The chorus, "And we all fall down together, ashes to ashes as we burn this f*cker down, on the merry go round the kids are learning, yeah there's something wrong at the playground," is a representation of the frustration and rebellion that these individuals feel toward the education system. They question why they should have to deal with the structures and restrictions of schooling when there is so much more to enjoy. It is not just the learning environment that is being criticized but also the wider society that allows this structure to exist.
Overall, the song is a commentary on society and the education system. It highlights the frustration and rebellion that can be felt when individuals are forced to fit into structures that don't reflect their own interests or identities. The Mad Caddies are encouraging listeners to take control of their own lives and seek fulfillment in their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well grade school never meant that much to me
I didn't care much about school during my early years
I started smokin' at the age of 13
I started smoking cigarettes when I was 13 years old
Back of the class that's where we'd hang around
I used to hang out with my friends at the back of the classroom
But they could not bring us down
The school authorities could not stop us from having fun
And now they're on the run
The authorities are now trying to control the situation
Little Johnny's mad and he's got a gun
A student named Johnny is angry and armed
Just kids having fun
The students are just having fun, it's not serious
You can't deny
There is no denying the situation
No alibi
There is no excuse for the situation
I saw you back when you were just like them
I remember when you were just like the other students
I know its true
What I'm saying is true
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Well high school was just a holding cell for me
High school felt like a prison to me
With no freedom as we learn democracy
In ironic contrast, we were not given much freedom while being taught about democracy
Spent most of my days in the back lot
I spent most of my days hanging out in the school's back lot
A cherry burning bright but a future that's not
I may have seemed bright and promising at the time, but my future prospects were not looking good
Try not to think a lot
I'm trying not to dwell too much on my problems
And just keep on having fun
I just want to keep enjoying myself
No responsibility
I don't want to be held accountable for anything
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward Glavin
Good drinking song!!!