48. Mad Caddies - Part 2 (w/ Minivandal)
Honk honk calling all Canadian Geese! Checkered Past welcomes return guest Ben of Saskatchewan skasters Minivandal to continue their discussion on The Mad Caddies! Ben catches Rob and first time co-host Arianne on what his band has been up to, the journey through COVID in creating their new album Fuel Me Twice and how he defines his genre of "Skalternative". Then, the trio get down on Mad Caddies going through their punkified album Rock the Plank through their smash hit Just One More to the gritty Keep It Going. Capped all off with a special CanCon edition of Question the Answers!
minivandal
Noun.
A vehicle for sonic mischief.
Verb.
The most fun an individual can ever associate with a minivan. Well, except for that one time in high school. You remember.
Used in a Band Bio.
A minivan cruising across the Canadian prairies. To most people, it seems inconspicuous. Familiar to some, perhaps. But then again, most people haven’t seen it packed with a six-piece ska band before! This vehicle belongs to minivandal, one of Saskatchewan’s most eclectic, high energy musical groups.
A collision of rock, reggae, Latin, and ska-punk, minivandal’s sound has been driving audiences wild with excitement since 2016! Originally formed by frontman/trumpeter/guitarist Ben Fortosky and his brother, bassist Emmett Fortosky, the band’s lineup has recently solidified to include keyboardist Cameron Baribeau, trombone player/co-vocalist Jessica Lipoth, guitarist Everett Schwab, and drummer Eric Redekopp. Each member has ties to the Saskatoon jazz scene as well as a common background in improvisation. Coupling this with their high energy stage presence and witty lyricism, the band has crafted a live show that is truly a sight (and sound) to behold!
Throughout the years minivandal has had the privilege of sharing the stage with notable Canadian acts My Son the Hurricane, Apollo Suns, The Steadies, and K-Man & The 45’s, as well as international touring acts such as Moon Hooch and Naughty Professor. Tracks from the band’s 2018 debut album “Turn Left Here” and their 2019 single “Down and Out” have been featured on compilation albums such as “What Do You Know About Ska-Punk? Vol. 4 & 5” and Allegedly Records’ “Ska Box”. The band’s music has also found its way onto countless playlists and shows curated by the Canadian and international ska communities.
Currently, minivandal is in the studio recording their second full-length album, which is slated for release in summer 2023. Western Canadian tour dates in support of the album are in the works. Get ready, because minivandal is fully fueled and ready to kick things into overdrive!
