Sik Sik Sicks

Rock and Rage with Sik Sik Sicks

Interview by Ken Morton- Photos by Jack Lue

Meet Sik Sik Sicks, whose brilliant amalgamation of blistering punk and raging rock is sure to endear them to all types of music fans. They’ve opened for the likes of Dead Sara and recently played the Surf Rodeo Festival in Ventura. Always unveiling rip roaring shows and releasing fierce singles that set the imagination in flight, Sik Sik Sicks are destined to reach a fan base well above and beyond the confines of the Los Angeles music scene.

Highwire Daze recently interviewed singer / rhythm guitatist Madeleine Lucas to find out more about this amazing band on the rise...

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Sik Sik Sicks, and how long the band has been together.

My name is Madd Lucas, I’m 19 years old, and I am the singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for Sik Sik Sicks. The band has been together since 2018, but with some exchanged members.

What do you think about our local Los Angeles music scene?

The music scene in Los Angeles is practically nonexistent. If you’re playing shows in the venues you’re probably not getting paid much - if at at all. Some of the venues do this “pay to play” thing - particularly in the Sunset Strip area - and it’s really discouraging. I refuse to be a part of those types of

things anymore. It’s killing the music scene and I think it’s partly because having a band in LA is costly! And your friends sometimes don’t have the $20 to pay the door fee. In addition to it being costly - you have to worry about being canceled these days. But that’s not really one of my worries. I plan to keep on speaking my mind. It’s just a contributor of the destruction of the music scene. It’s so ridiculous. Discouraging. There are some really cool underground scenes - but you’re not seeing any of that stuff in the clubs and venues - they’re finding other ways to make it happen —warehouses, house parties, etc. I think the largest music scene in LA right now is that hyper-pop emo rap crowd. I don’t know much about it.

Select two Sik Sik Sicks songs and what inspired the lyrics?

When I’m writing a Siks song - it’s usually because someone or something has pissed me off or screwed me over somehow. Drive East is about an ex-boyfriend who was seeing someone behind my back while secretly planning to move away together to Texas. At the time our little clique was really into SWMRS and they have an album called Drive North - and so I decided to call that one Drive East because they released a song completely ripping them off. I didn’t even really care about it that much - but they were my inspiration for that song.

Another one of my songs - Turn Off Your TV - probably one of our best - is about the craziness that went on during Covid. I don’t trust the media. I think it’s 99.999% lies - I don’t care where you get your information. Turn off your TV.

What could you expect from a Siks show?

Definitely a good time - every time. We have a really fun crowd. A lot of them super loyal fans and they’re so much fun - and I’m super thankful for them. They definitely help bring the vibe. Lots of energy.

What was it like opening for Dead Sara and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?

It was pretty cool opening for Dead Sara. They’re actually pretty close to the drummer’s family so we have been around them quite often.

That Surf Rodeo Fest looked pretty epic. What was that experience like playing that particular festival?

The first year we played Surf Rodeo was awesome. I was pretty nervous about playing it for some reason but I got over that when I saw people leaving the main stage to come see us. That was a good feeling. This year was ok!

If Sik Sik Sicks could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

If Siks could open for any band I think it would be The Dwarves. I just love their vibe and love their music and I just love how they just say whatever the hell they want. They’re so much fun. Blag is so funny and so nice. I’m actually doing some songs with Blag on their next album as well as back up vocals. Their next album is going to be insane. It’s so good!! They’ve actually inspired me and the way I write for Siks. So yeah. The Dwarves.

What previous bands or projects were you in prior to

Sik Sik Sicks?

I’ve been in bands since I was really young - I started playing music and guitar when I was 7. But I didn’t form one myself until 10th grade. My friend Morgan and I were just kind of playing around making funny songs. We actually came up with OBP as a joke and it sounded really good. So I was like why don’t we start a band? So I taught Morgan how to play bass - and we did. We called it “Sick of Sarah’s”. There were a lot of Sarah’s in our lives that we were sick of at the time.

Quite often, you are making pretty witty comments from the stage – at least at the show I saw at the Whisky. Is a second career as a comedienne or actress something you might be interested in?

A second career as a comedienne? Does it pay the bills? Sign me up. Oh yeah - and I can act too.

What was it like doing a photo session with legendary photographer Jack Lue?

Jack Lue is a legend in his own right and that’s all I have to say about that.

What’s next for Siks?

We have several new songs coming out. We just finished one - it’s called LIE In It—and we can’t wait to release it. I’m really excited because we have a new guitarist who really shreds and he’s a really good addition to the band. I’m really stoked on everyone in the band. We’ve also got something in the works with Titanic Sinclair. It’s called — - it’s a little different from what we normally do but I love his style and I was truly fortunate to be able to work with him.

https://www.instagram.com/siksiksicks/

Promoting the all new full length album “Down In Wuhan” out August 28, 2021 Worldwide on all major platforms DOWN IN WUHAN Tour 2022 Sat. Dec 11, 2022 7PM w/Andy McCoy Hanoi Rocks Fri. Feb,10, 2023 7:30PM w/Bang Tango