Ellwood (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Santa Ynez Valley, California , United States |
Key people | Chuck Robertson, Graham Palmer, Todd Rosenberg, Dustin Lanker |
| Products | Music albums |
Ellwood is a United States-based band specializing in reggae and ska, which originated in the Santa Ynez Valley in 2009. The lineup features Chuck Robertson, lead vocalist of Mad Caddies, alongside Graham Palmer, Todd Rosenberg, and Dustin Lanker, who previously played keyboards for both the Mad Caddies and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
Biography
The inception of Ellwood occurred when Robertson came back to his hometown of Solvang, California during the late 2000s. Upon reconnecting with Palmer and Rosenberg and noticing a scarcity in the local music offerings, they decided to create a band as a casual endeavor. They later added Dustin Lanker, a longtime touring keyboardist for Mad Caddies. Distinct from the punk and ska punk style of Mad Caddies, Ellwood embraced a laid-back, mid-tempo blend of ska and reggae characterized by a bright and relaxed atmosphere.
Following several performances locally in 2010, Ellwood proceeded to record an album. Their songwriting process spanned six months with demos produced in Palmer's garage before final recordings were completed over two days at a studio located in Santa Barbara. After a hiatus to prioritize Mad Caddies projects, Robertson handed a copy of the album to Fat Mike, who agreed to distribute it through Fat Wreck Chords.
The album Lost in Transition was launched on June 21, 2011, earning favorable critiques from outlets such as Alternative Press, PopMatters, and Punknews.org. To support this release, Ellwood embarked on a European tour in late 2011, followed by a West Coast U.S. tour in early 2012 where they opened for NOFX and Old Man Markley.
Shortly after the album’s debut, Robertson disclosed that Ellwood was developing new tracks that would lean toward "heavy, aggressive, poppy rock." He highlighted an approach focused on evolving their musical style with every album and set an ambitious goal of producing five albums within five years.
A progress report from November 2012 confirmed ongoing work on a sophomore album but indicated that Ellwood would be temporarily inactive as Robertson resumed commitments with Mad Caddies. In an interview from October 2020, Robertson officially declared that Ellwood had become "defunct."
Discography
- Lost in Transition (2011, Fat Wreck Chords)
Band members
- Chuck Robertson – vocals, guitar
- Dustin Lanker – keyboards, vocals
- Graham Palmer – bass guitar, vocals
- Todd Rosenberg – drums, vocals