Mad Caddies @ the Rosetta Room in Mesa, AZ
After catching the our last show at the Rosetta Room, the Pack were ready and raring for another show at the venue. Even better is the lineup of locals that had the opportunity to open for the Mad Caddies. It’s Fine, Skavelinas, and Krovak are friends for as long as the Pack have been fans. It’s a night for PBR, claustrophobia, and chaotically good times with our local punk scene.
First to the stage is Krovak. It’s been a few years since we’ve caught Krovak live yet there is not a spot of rust on Leigh Dekay(Guitar/Bass/Vox). Backed by Chris Daley (Drums) and Travis Hansen (Bass/Guitar/Vox) and AZ only appearances by Mike Germs (Guitar/Vox), Krovak is the “high energy of punk rock blended with the reverb soaked atmosphere of surf and western noir.” For the Punk Pack, our draw has been Krovak’s strong message of advocacy and finding one’s own way in the modern dystopia. The energy these four bring is a force that will keep you going. One can never be at a loss for their lyrics with one of the Pack’s favorite tracks, “PBR Song,” where all the lyrics are conveniently printed on every can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
The Skavelinas was next to the stage. A blend of upbeat ska and the urgency of hardcore punk from Cottonwood, AZ. he Skavelinas’ first track in their set is sure touch the core of any punk, new or old, and that’s just “Leave Us Alone.” A truly upbeat and in-your-face performance that the Punk Pack doesn’t often get to see. Watching the pit grow and evolve during the Skavelinas’ set was an absolute blast; growing from a single rude boy giving it his all to a whole hoard of punks crashing into each other until they fall dizzy.
The Rosetta Room was packed by the time It’s Fine took the stage and chants of “It’s Fine” summon the four men to to their instruments. Opening with a banger, “Who Do You Serve,” the boys came out hot. Long time friends of the Pack, It’s Fine connects with songs of personal experience that near everyone has experienced at one time or another. Themes of keeping one’s head above water while still moving forward in life. By “EZPZ,” the Pack were swept up by the cult of personality that is It’s Fine and had them singing a long. Seeing these four on stage is always a blast.
The Mad Caddies walked out to “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes and the band tested their instruments along to the song, inciting the audience to sing along before cutting the track short to start the show. The Pack have heard the Mad Caddies before but only recorded. The energy exhibited on stage was electric, making it difficult to focus on anything but Ian Cook (Lead Guitar) jumping around and encouraging the crowd any chance he can. Yet, while having all the energy of ska, the Pack struggled to get into their set as they had with previous albums. It was then it was brought to the Punk Pack’s attention that the band members almost completely changed in 2022. Though, with the building heat within the Rosetta Room despite it being winter, the Pack elected to cut the night short.
While it’s an incredible bummer to not be able to get into a headliner’s set, once the Pack was outside, the cool air already started doing its work. By chance, it was just in time to catch Meatbag from It’s Fine to get some goodbye hugs and tell him personally how much of an amazing set they played. Though, to not hold up anyone in the band from packing up, we kept it short to return to the car. The Punk Pack find that the highlight of this show to be seeing Krovak after so long and continuing to support the boys of It’s Fine. It has become a trend that these bands can lure the Punk Pack to right about anything as long as they are playing music.
