Madcap

by Linda SeidaSouthern California punk rock band Madcap got together in 1999 and put together their first album with the help of an indie label that was headed by pals in Los Angeles. Before moving on to ink a deal with SideOneDummy Records late in 2000, the band played at nightspots in Orange County and throughout the Los Angeles region. With some new songs ready, bandmembers put together 2001's Stand Your Ground in just two weeks with the help of Donnell Cameron, an engineer and producer whose credits include albums by NOFX, Offspring, and Bad Religion. In support of Stand Your Ground, the band embarked on a tour that crisscrossed the U.S South and West. Madcap followed up by performing on the Vans Warped Tour. The spirited attitude of their 2002 album, East to West, further increased the band's popularity as pop-leaning street punkers. Some lineup changes next occurred; by the time Madcap had signed on with Victory, the group consisted of founding bassist Lee LeBaigue, vocalist/guitarist Johnny Madcap, drummer Jake Margolis Bell, and lead guitarist Ace. Under Suspicion, their label debut that mixed '80s rock with dub, punk, and reggae, appeared in early 2004.