Mad Caddies have been performing their brand of ska, reggae, punk, jazz and more since 1995. These long-time Fat Wreck Chords recording artists have toured the world countless times, while continuing to steadily release new music since their inception.
Diesel Boy
2023 was a banner year for Diesel Boy. After twenty something years away from the spotlight, the California skate punk quartet brushed off the dust, chipped away the rust, and released “Gets Old,” which found the band receiving the best reviews of its career. They also hit the road for the first time in decades, playing shows in both Europe and the US, and appearing on festival stages for Punk Rock Holiday, Brakrock, Pouzza, Red Bridge, and more.
“Is it a reunion if no one cared we were gone or that we’re back,” singer/guitarist Dave Lake quips on “Lost Decade,” the leadoff track from “Gets Old.” It turns out that some people, at least, ARE glad the band has returned. The excitement has reinvigorated the
band’s members, which include founders Dave Lake and Greg Hensley (bass), along with Jack Miller (guitar) and Paul Davis (drums), the former of whom moonlights as The Punk Historian on YouTube.
Though the band splits its time between grown-up jobs, raising families, and the rigors of middle age (except for Jack!), 2026 gives them plenty to crow about. Diesel Boy is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album “Cock Rock” with a series of full album playthrough shows — a chance for old fans to relive the classics and new ones to see what all the fuss was about.
Though they are firmly focused on the future, Diesel Boy has plenty of history. The band formed in California’s wine country in 1993, made four records for Fat Wreck Chords imprint Honest Dons in the ’90s and 2000s, and crisscrossed the globe endless times before taking a decades-long break. While on hiatus, their songs continued to rack up millions of streams, as offers for festivals and new music persisted, prompting the band to relaunch their career. Humbled by enthusiastic fan response and grateful to still have an opportunity to play music together, Diesel Boy is hoping to stick around for good this time.
Praise for “Gets Old”
“They’ve not lost any of the energy of their youth. If anything, they’ve just gained polish and expertise, sounding tighter and more emphatic than before.” – Jersey Beat
“This album drives them even further up above the masses of soundalike bands.”– The Punk Site
“The songwriting shows a level of maturity that wasn’t there in the ‘90s.” – Bearded Gentleman
Best of 2023 – Punk Rock Radar
