My First Band Podcast

200 – Andy Junk (Holy Shit!, The Fragments, Chinese Telephones) Jan 13, 2023

This week's guest — the 200th and final My First Band guest! — is the incomparable Andy Junk. These days, you can see Junk on stage as a member of Holy Shit! and Chinese Telephones, taking photos at a ton of concerts in Milwaukee and beyond, and spreading Lakefront Brewery's sales territory to faraway lands. Before he was in two long-running and respected bands, Junk was a teen starting his musical journey in unknown projects based in the tiny Wisconsin towns of Winneconne and Omro. Prior to his Milwaukee move, Junk was also an instrumental part of the once-mighty Green Bay punk scene as a member of The Fragments, an employee at the legendary Concert Cafe and a booker/resident of a short-lived house venue.

Before returning to Green Bay for a concert at Lyric Room this weekend and heading back to Japan for another Holy Shit! tour in March, Junk stopped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to chat with My First Band host Tyler Maas about those recent developments, the forthcoming Chinese Telephones release, his musical start, his formative years in Titletown, basement show-related troubles with the law, relocating to Milwaukee, tricking an AOL music site into covering his band, and much more. Oh, and they talked about his honorary Lakefront beer, My Turn: Junk, and the unique reason it made headlines a few years ago.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Holy Shit! ("Ban Me"). Thanks to everyone who listened to this show, sponsored episodes, helped us book guests and took the time to be interviewed. It was a pleasure doing My First Band for close to four years!

199 – Ian Olvera (Daydream Retrievers, The Sleepwalkers, Wire & Vice) Jan 06, 2023

This week's guest is Ian Olvera, whose work can be heard in a variety of ways. Beyond being a current member of Blueheels and the bandleader of Daydream Retrievers, Olvera has helped record and mix music from a wide variety of other musicians at Wire & Vice and Mystery Room Mastering (and on his own), and he's been a live sound engineer for a bunch of Milwaukee venues and some very well-known artists. Before he was doing any of that, Olvera was teaching himself guitar, recording himself with a Fisher Price microphone and making friends in the Green Bay music scene.

A day before heading out to Europe for a month to serve as a touring sound technician for Lucinda Williams, Olvera met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about being on the road with a music legend, recent solo shows he played, and some recording projects he's taken on lately. Of course, the conversation also focused on his musical start. Olvera talked about being influenced by his dad's records, playing shows in Titletown as a highschooler, starting The Sleepwalkers while studying recording at UW-Oshkosh, moving to Milwaukee and getting more creative opportunities, and some surreal experiences from his varied career in music.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Daydream Retrievers ("Living Hell").

198 – Mark Waldoch (The Celebrated Workingman, Hallelujah Ward) Dec 22, 2022

This week's guest is Mark Waldoch, a Milwaukee mainstay who has been a prominent part of the city's music scene for more than 25 years. Over that quarter-century span, the multi-instrumentalist and owner of Brew City's most booming voice has released outstanding material with The Celebrated Workingman, under his own name and with his current Hallelujah Ward project. Along the way, he's contributed harmonies and horns to a wide variety of songs by other local musicians and he's been relied upon to be a go-to local opener for an incredible list of touring acts coming through town. Oh, and he's also a major part of Milwaukee's holiday music tradition with an array of Christmastime concerts most years.

Earlier this week, Waldoch made a long-overdue stop (our bad!) at the My First Band studio, where he talked to host Tyler Maas about all of the above, as well as his upcoming yuletide show at The Cooperage, his amazing and arduous life story, and many memories from his lengthy tenure in the local scene. As Waldoch looked back on his artistic origin, he also treated listeners to anecdotes about touring the U.S. and Europe with Volcano Choir, working at the iconic Atomic Records store, and playing with the likes of Bright Eyes and Interpol before they became worldwide sensations. There's also an incredible and cathartic tale about the time he quit a particularly bad service industry job!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Hallelujah Ward ("86,000").

197 – Julia Blair (Dusk, Holy Sheboygan!, Crutch of Memory) Dec 16, 2022

This week's guest is Julia Blair. In addition to being a member of two long-running and accomplished Wisconsin bands in the form of Dusk and Holy Sheboygan!, Blair released her excellent debut solo album earlier this year. Between putting out that album (and touring in support of it), Blair and her Holy Sheboygan! bandmates released the band's fifth full-length this year, and Dusk also recorded an album that will come out sometime in 2023. While she has a lot of interesting things happening these days, her artistic backstory is quite compelling as well.

Shortly after returning home from a run of November shows in the Midwest and on the West Coast, Blair chatted with My First Band host Tyler Maas about her big 2022, plans for the year to come and where it all started. Over the course of the conversation, Blair spoke about playing in an ensemble in high school that performed at weddings and other functions, studying vocal performance at Lawrence University, meeting some of her future Holy Sheboygan! cohorts in college and starting to play out together, the chain of events that found her joining Dusk, and overcoming her apprehensions to finally release a solo record.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Holy Sheboygan! ("Uncle Mike").

196 – Jamie Jones (All-4-One) Dec 09, 2022

As a founding member of All-4-One, Jamie Jones has been an integral part of Platinum-selling releases that feature some of the biggest R&B hits of all time. He's toured all over the planet, performed for world leaders, won a Grammy Award, spent months atop the Billboard charts and had a song on the soundtrack of an animated Disney feature. Though he's still an active member of All-4-One, Jones has also managed an impressive solo career and has found success behind the scenes with The Heavyweights production company. Before he was part of renditions of hit songs like "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That," Jones was turning heads and building a reputation with his vocal performances in church.

Prior to setting out on tour with members of 98 Degrees and O-Town as part of "A Boy Band Christmas" (which comes to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Dec. 20), Jones spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the format of the upcoming seasonal show, his recent solo output, his production work and what's to come. Of course, they also talked about his early artistic efforts, the formation of All-4-One, the group's rapid rise to worldwide consciousness, highlights from his accomplished career and unforgettable experiences he's had with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Prince.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Jamie Jones ("All I Want").

195 – Gold Steps Dec 02, 2022

This week's guests are Gold Steps singer Liz Mauritz and guitarist Zach Duarte. Though the band is currently making a name for itself in Milwaukee with frequent shows, garnering loads of listeners on streaming sites and winning over new fans on a nightly basis during its ambitious tours, the up-and-coming "alt-pop-hyphenated-punk band" actually got its start in Austin. After a few years and a couple hundred shows in and around the musically vibrant Texas capital, Mauritz and Duarte — who are married, by the way — moved back to Mauritz's home state and set their sights on the Milwaukee music scene.

Not long after getting back from Gold Steps' latest U.S. tour, Mauritz and Duarte met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about the recent run of shows, the reception their great new EP (That Ain't It — out now on Revival Recordings!) and hitting the ground running in their new home base after close to two years of pandemic-prompted inactivity. Over the course of the conversation, Mauritz and Duarte talked about their brief stint in another band, what led to the start of Gold Steps, opportunities and obstacles they experienced in the competitive Austin music scene, the move to Milwaukee and plans for the future of the band. Along the way, Liz talked about her love of Lakefront Brewery, her employer and the beer sponsor of this very show!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Gold Steps ("Petty").

194 – Jeff Meilander (Seven Days of Samsara, Spitalfield, Redwall) Nov 18, 2022

You might not know who Jeff Meilander is, but you're likely aware of his work. As the owner, founder and jack of all trades at Redwall Screen Printing, Meilander's company has made merchandise for professional sports franchises, multinational corporations and countless bands and brands from all over the country. Currently, Redwall calls a 100,000-square-foot building in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, its home. However, Meilander's super successful screen printing business actually started in the basement of his then-apartment on Milwaukee's East Side ... and his personal musical history has a lot to do with the life-changing venture.

A couple months ago, My First Band host Tyler Maas went to Redwall to catch up with Meilander. While there, the two talked about what the business has been up to the past few years, working together on Milwaukee Record apparel and other exciting aspects of his ever-evolving operation. Along the way, Meilander talked about how his time in punk and hardcore bands like Linoleum and Seven Days Of Samsara incited his printing passion, how the money-saving measure unexpectedly morphed into a legitimate business, and how he balanced the growing endeavor while playing with Bosio and Spitalfield. Oh, and Maas talked about working at Redwall for a couple of years and his own printing experience he learned from Meilander!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers'') and Seven Days Of Samsara (''New Anthem For The T-Shirt Revolution'').

193 – Charlie Parr Nov 11, 2022

This week's guest is Charlie Parr. Over the course of his 30-year career, the Duluth-based guitarist and singer has released more than a dozen albums, played thousands of shows all over the U.S. and beyond, opened for legends like B.B. King and Doc Watson, and has remained thoroughly captivated by the guitar the entire time. Along the way, he's performed at massive festivals and in empty bars (and everywhere in between), built a more-than-respectable fan base, and has made friends all over the globe by way of his tireless touring.

Prior to setting out on yet another tour, Parr spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the autumn jaunt (including a Nov. 23 show at The Back Room @ Colectivo), his new book and what the near future holds for him. During the conversation, Parr also talked about first playing the guitar at the age of 8, diving into songwriting in his 20s, busking for change and sandwiches while living in the Twin Cities in the '80s, landing a life-changing opening opportunity that brought him to stages in England and Ireland in his 30s, the good — and the not so good — aspects of his nomadic line of work, some standout experiences from lengthy and accomplished career, and why getting to play music remains his favorite thing in the world.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Charlie Parr ("Last Of The Better Days Ahead").

192 – Chris No. 2 (Anti Flag) Nov 04, 2022

This week's guest is Chris Barker, who you probably know better as "Chris No. 2." The longtime Anti Flag bassist has been an integral member of the iconic and important Pittsburgh punk band since late 1998. Over that span, he's played on some influential albums, performed all over the planet and helped spread activist ethos to generations of listeners throughout the world. With a new album on the way (Lies They Tell Our Children, out Jan. 6!), The General Strike recently being reissued on Side One Dummy and a bunch of shows on the horizon, Chris No. 2 has a lot of modern happenings to discuss.

A few days before he headed to The Fest, he spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about those two albums, the band's upcoming Anti-Fest show in Chicago and their tour in Quebec before delving into his personal musical past. Over the course of the conversation, No. 2 talked about finding a drum set in the garbage and starting a "band" called Land in grade school, how seeing Green Day forever changed his musical outlook, his decision to dive headlong into playing both music and ice hockey as a teenager, his tenure in O.B.S., getting an opportunity to join Anti Flag, and some of his most significant artistic experiences from the past quarter century on and off stage.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Anti Flag featuring Stacey Dee of Bad Cop/Bad Cop ("NVREVER").

191 – Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary, Berwanger, Gemini Parks) Oct 28, 2022

Over the last quarter century, Josh Berwanger‘s work has taken many different forms. After his time in accomplished early aughts emo outfit The Anniversary was through, the Kansas-based songwriter dabbled in alt-country with The Only Children, ventured in the direction of indie rock with his Berwanger project and joined forces with members of The Get Up Kids and The Gadjits to form Radar State. Along the way, he even stepped completely away from music for seven years to coach girls high school basketball.

Most recently, Berwanger has embarked on a “genre-blending” aural endeavor called Gemini Parks. With monthly song releases, some shows in the books and a Gemini Parks release planned for next year, Berwanger has a lot of modern-day happenings to talk about. He did just that when he spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas. Of course, their conversation also touched on early bands, the beginning of The Anniversary, memorable moments from that band, his years away from music, what brought him back to the stage and what’s to come.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Gemini Parks (“Up All Night”).

190 – River (a.k.a. Sarah) Shook (Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Mightmare) Oct 21, 2022

This week's guest is River (a.k.a. Sarah) Shook. As the bandleader and namesake of Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Shook has ardently toured throughout the U.S. and Europe. They've released some excellent albums, including Nightroamer, which came out on Thirty Tigers in February. Following the release of that acclaimed album and ample touring in support of the record, Shook's "dark pop" project called Mightmare just put out its debut album on Kill Rock Stars last week.

Before Shook and company hit the road for the first Mightmare tour (including an Oct. 29 show at Cactus Club), they spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about hitting the road in a big way again, releasing two drastically different albums on two respected labels in the same calendar year and how their recent run of European shows went. Naturally, the conversation also moved to Shook's musical history. Over the course of the discussion, Shook talked about growing up in a religious household and only being allowed to listen to worship and classical music, teaching themself to play guitar on an acoustic borrowed from a friend, the origin of early projects that eventually morphed into The Disarmers, and some of their favorite experiences from their career.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Mightmare ("Easy").

189 – NNAMDï Oct 14, 2022

This week's guest is NNAMDÏ. The Chicago-based singer, rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist has put out a ton of great music since 2020 (including his acclaimed new Sooper Records / Secretly Canadian album, Please Have a Seat). He's performed with Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, Black Midi, Jeff Rosenstock and Speedy Ortiz. He has garnered acclaim from Kasey Musgraves and he was named "Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune. Before he was an accomplished artist on the cusp of even bigger and better things, NNAMDÏ was living in the Chicago suburb of Lansing, drumming in rock bands and teaching himself to record by writing songs about butts for his friends.

Recently, just prior to the release of Please Have a Seat and the upcoming U.S. tour (including an Oct. 20 show at Cactus Club), NNAMDÏ spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about making the new album, getting back on the road again, as well as some of the hopes and plans he has for the near future. Along the way, he also talked about playing drums in his middle school's jazz band, starting a group called The Para-Medics, playing basement shows and comic book shops in high school, dabbling in self-recording and rapping, and how lighthearted material about booties and inside jokes inadvertently paved the way to a successful solo career.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and NNAMDÏ ("Grounded").

188 – Chris Gethard (The Chris Gethard Show, Beautiful/Anonymous) Oct 07, 2022

This week's guest is Chris Gethard. Though Gethard isn't a musician, he is a cult comedy legend, the namesake of The Chris Gethard Show, an actor (who you might know from films like Don’t Think Twice and TV shows like Broad City and The Office), the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast, a soda pop appreciator and historian, a point of New Jersey pride, and someone who has helped countless people with his openness about his mental health struggles. He's also a huge music fan who has performed alongside world-renowned musicians on stage and on his TV show.

Prior to Gethard's Midwestern jaunt (including two shows at X-Ray Arcade on Oct. 7), he told My First Band host Tyler Maas about how music actually helped pave his way towards a career in comedy. Over the course of the conversation, he also talked about memorable basement shows and DIY concerts from his past, seeing Less Than Jake at a July 4th barbecue, unforgettable musical guests during The Chris Gethard Show's run, marrying a member of his house band, briefly singing in a Smiths cover group and how he probably wants to sing in your project.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Unlovables ("Miracle Braves").

187 – Mike Reed (Small Brown Bike, 84 Tigers, LaSalle) Sep 30, 2022

This week's guest is Mike Reed. These days, Reed can be heard as the guitarist and vocalist of 84 Tigers, a tremendous Michigan-based project that's preparing to release their debut album, Time In The Lighthouse, on Spartan Records this fall. Prior to that album's Oct. 21 release and the band's upcoming appearance at The Fest, Reed spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the formation of his new band, the process of writing and recording the forthcoming album and what the near future holds for 84 Tigers.

Of course, the interview also touched upon Reed's years in legendary Midwest emo outfit Small Brown Bike, as well as LaSalle, Able Baker Fox, his solo material and even his first band ever. Along the way, Reed discussed booking noted punk bands at a rural Michigan community center as a high schooler, memorable Small Brown Bike tours with Hot Water Music and Cursive, and how his approach and expectations he has for 84 Tigers differs from his past projects.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and 84 Tigers ("Kingdom Of One").

186 – Tom Rheault (No Trigger) Sep 23, 2022

This week's guest is No Trigger vocalist Tom Rheault. Though the long-running Massachusetts melodic punk project doesn't put out albums very often, they really make it count when they do. The 20-year vets released Dr. Album — only the band's third album ever, and its first since early 2012 — last month, and now they're playing some shows in support of the exceptional Red Scare Industries record. No Trigger performed at Riot Fest last weekend and they're gearing up to play a Punk In Drublic tour stop in their hometown of Worcester this weekend.

Before both of those shows (as well as a show with The Lawrence Arms on Sept. 30 and an upcoming appearance at The Fest in October), Rheault spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the making of Dr. Album, getting back on the road and plans for 2023. Along the way, the singer talked about the early impact bands like NOFX and Rancid had on his musical trajectory, playing shows at gymnasiums and all-ages venues (where he regrettably threw pastries everywhere), starting the band that would eventually turn into No Trigger, unforgettable experiences he's had on stage and on tour through the years, and why people should consider micro-dosing.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and No Trigger ("Too High To Die").

185 – Josiah Johnson (The Head And The Heart) Sep 16, 2022

This week's guest is Josiah Johnson! As a vocalist and founding member of The Head And The Heart, Johnson was part of a certified Gold-selling album, he toured the world with some of music's biggest acts and performed at many of the planet's most renowned venues, he played various late-night shows and had songs featured on countless TV shows, and his voice can be prominently heard on songs that have been listened to millions upon millions of times. While he's no longer a member of that indie-folk outfit, Johnson is an accomplished solo artist in his own right, and he's poised to bring his music into exciting new territory.

With a follow-up to his excellent solo debut, Every Feeling On A Loop, due out on ANTI- Records sometime next year, Johnson has released a few new singles in recent months and he's gearing up to hit the road to treat audiences around the Midwest and East Coast to live renditions of songs from his ever-growing, ever-evolving catalog. Prior to that fall tour (which includes an afternoon show at Cactus Club on Sept. 18!), Johnson spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about modern-day developments, upcoming plans and highlights from his unbelievable career. Over the course of the conversation, Johnson talked about playing in a screamo group in his late teens and early 20s, moving to Seattle and quickly bonding with his future collaborators in Head And The Heart at open mics, the band's rapid rise to mainstream consciousness, unforgettable moments from his years in the band, and his newfound appreciation for being able to go out on tour again.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Josiah Johnson ("Hello, Hello On Fire!").

184 – Rhett Miller (Old 97's) Sep 09, 2022

This week's guest is the great Rhett Miller. The Americana legend has been a member of Old 97's for close to 30 years and, along the way, he's released seven solo albums. Miller's eighth album, The Misfit, is set to come out on Sept. 16, just a few days after Old 97's begin their long-awaited tour in support of 2020's Twelfth. Prior to both of those milestones, the influential and accomplished singer-songwriter spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new album, getting back on the road and standout moments from his incomparable career as an artist and performer.

Over the course of the conversation, Miller opened up about his musical upbringing, bonfire shows and nude photo shoots with his teenage bands, being his hometown's "teen folky" who was tapped to open for touring artists like Rosanne Cash and Chris Isaak, the formation and major label courting of Old 97's, touring and collaborating with some of music's biggest names, and some of his favorite experiences that music has brought him. Along the way, Miller and Maas discussed the ups and downs of podcast booking, their shared affinity for the Milwaukee Brewers and disc golfing, and the time Miller was approached to audition for a role in Fight Club that eventually went to Jared Leto.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Rhett Miller ("Go Through You").

183 – Tim Kasher (Cursive, The Good Life) Sep 02, 2022

This week's guest is Tim Kasher. In addition to fronting legendary Omaha emo outfit Cursive, Kasher can be heard in The Good Life and on his four solo albums. Over the course of his nearly-30-year career, he's toured extensively, put out some downright incredible records that have reshaped the genre and has influenced countless musicians along the way. Before any of that, Kasher was a high school kid cutting his teeth as the guitarist in a little-known Nebraska band called The March Hares.

A few months removed from the release of his fourth solo album, the outstanding Middling Age, Kasher spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new record and accompanying tour, his approach to songwriting, his Patreon page, and the upcoming vinyl reissue of Domestica on 15 Passenger. Over the course of the conversation, Kasher talked about the musical influence his elder siblings had on him, starting out on a Cascio keyboard before taking up guitar, performing at bonfires and bars with The March Hares and Slowdown Virginia, some of his favorite experiences with Cursive and The Good Life, and much more!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Tim Kasher ("I Don't Think About You").

182 – Josh Modell (The Onion, The A.V. Club, Talkhouse) Aug 26, 2022

Though Josh Modell isn't a musician, the veteran entertainment writer has been covering music for decades. Over the course of his career, he's held prominent positions at The Onion, The A.V. Club and his current role as Executive Editor of Talkhouse. Before his work was reaching millions of readers all over the world, Modell was producing a Milwaukee-based magazine he co-founded between booking shows and working shifts at a beloved record shop.

Recently, Modell — a few months removed from moving back to the Milwaukee area — met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about his lifelong love of music, notable moments from his writing career and projects he's working on now. Over the course of the conversation, Modell talked about his record-shopping routine as a teenager, landing a job at Atomic Records, the start and cult following of Milk Magazine, his unconventional path to working at The Onion and The A.V. Club, the inner workings of the iconic "A.V. Undercover" series, his modern-day efforts at Talkhouse, and what's to come.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

181 – Matt Allen (NUR-D) Aug 19, 2022

This week's guest is Matt Allen, who you might know better as Nur-D. And if you don't know Nur-D yet, you will soon. The Minneapolis-based rapper, singer, dancer and all-around entertainer is poised for big things. The latest step of his ongoing journey to national notoriety is his just-released album, HVN (pronounced "heaven"), which will be celebrated tonight with a headlining performance at the legendary First Avenue. The new album and release show come after a whirlwind summer for Nur-D, which included a long run of festival appearances, significant shows and even a performance at Gen Con. Long before he was a budding talent on the cusp of even bigger and better things as Nur-D, Allen was a theater kid who was fronting an indie rock band.

In advance of the Aug. 19 HVN release/release show, Allen spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his busy summer, what people can expect from the new album and just how far he hopes to take Nur-D in the years to come. Of course, he also spoke about his past, including his move from the Bronx to the Minneapolis suburb of Rosemount when he was a kid, eventually having to choose between high school football and theater, his time in bands (3 Man Trio, Saving Vinyl City and Black Genesis) in his late teens and early 20s, secretly entering a radio station's rap competition and falling in love with hip-hop, and how he's used his platform as an up-and-coming artist to fight for equality and raise funds for artists in his community.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Nur-D ("Black Sheep").

180 – Matthew Stubbs (GA-20, Charlie Musselwhite) Aug 12, 2022

This week's guest is Matthew Stubbs. As a guitarist and founding member of GA-20, Stubbs has released two well-received albums, toured extensively, ascended the Billboard charts and helped to usher in a traditional blues revival. With a new album on the way — Crackdown, out Sept. 9 on Colemine Records! — and a bunch of shows on the horizon, Stubbs has a lot of modern day things to talk about. Even beyond his work with GA-20, Stubbs has quite an impressive musical resume.

Prior to setting out on tour, Stubbs spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new GA-20 record, what it's been like to get back on the road and why he feels it's important to give new life to traditional blues music. Of course, he also spoke about his musical past, including learning to play guitar at an early age, performing throughout New England with his dad's band, moving to Los Angeles in his early 20s and making a living as a side man. Along the way, he talked about touring with notable blues musicians like Janiva Magness and James Watson before landing a spot in the band of the legendary Charlie Musselwhite — where he's spent roughly 15 years and counting.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and GA-20 ("Easy On The Eyes").

179 – Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries) Aug 05, 2022

Toby Jeg hasn't ever been in a serious band, but he's been instrumental in helping a ton of other people's bands release music. As the owner/operator of Red Scare Industries, Jeg has put out more than 150 releases over the last 18 years, including albums from The Menzingers, The Copyrights, Direct Hit!, Masked Intruder, Sincere Engineer, The Falcon, Teenage Bottlerocket, Elway, Brendan Kelly and countless other accomplished punk projects. And there are more Red Scare releases on the way!

Before he was running a well-respected independent label, Jeg was a farm kid in rural Washington who was falling in love with punk rock. While still unpacking from his recent move to Massachusetts, Jeg found some time to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas about his new state, upcoming Red Scare output and times the two interacted in Wisconsin. Along the way, he also told Maas about attending college at Cal, interning at Fat Wreck Chords, volunteering to be Fat Mike's designated driver, his other career in artist management, the ethical approach he tries to take with Red Scare, charming his way into New Zealand and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

178 – Mariel Buckley Jul 29, 2022

This week's guest is Mariel Buckley. The burgeoning singer-songwriter from Alberta, Canada is about to release a new album, open for Orville Peck and perform all around Europe. And that's just the beginning! Buckley is planning to tour extensively in 2023 and continue her upward trajectory that started in bars and at open mics throughout Western Canada.

In the days leading up the release of Everywhere I Used To Be (out August 12 via Birthday Cake Records), Buckley spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new record and other modern day happenings before talking about the musical experiences that brought her to this point. Over the course of the conversation, Buckley reminisced about growing up in Calgary, being inspired to start playing guitar by her brother T. Buckley, entering a battle of the bands at the age of 15, "woodshedding" all over Canada, opening for K.D. Lang, and finding an audience at breweries and clubs.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Mariel Buckley ("Driving Around").

177 – Chris Rosenau (Pele, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Volcano Choir) Jul 22, 2022

This week's guest is Chris Rosenau, whose impressive and inventive guitar work you might recognize from accomplished projects like Pele, Collections of Colonies of Bees and Volcano Choir. Before he was playing to audiences all over the world, collaborating with Justin Vernon and members of The Promise Ring, and releasing influential albums that have stood the test of time, Rosenau was a kid teaching himself Metallica songs in his suburban Milwaukee home.

Prior to next weekend's Seventh Stanine Festival at Cactus Club, Rosenau spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about new CoCoBees developments, his upcoming release with Nick Sanborn and other modern day happenings. Eventually, the conversation found Rosenau discussing early projects like Orion Black and 21 Guns, playing club concerts with Smashing Pumpkins, starting a band with Jon Mueller (and then another), and some of the most memorable experiences from his decades of playing music.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Collections Of Colonies Of Bees ("Harms").

176 – Scott Radinsky (Pulley, Ten Foot Pole, MLB pitcher) Jul 15, 2022

People know Scott Radinsky for two very different reasons. During the ex-pitcher's lengthy Major League Baseball career, he managed an impressive 3.44 ERA and tallied 52 saves in almost 500 innings on the mound with the White Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals and Cleveland. In addition to being a proficient reliever, Radinsky is also an accomplished punk-rock vocalist who used to sing in Ten Foot Pole and, since the mid-'90s, has been the frontman of Pulley. Having excelled in the realms of both sports and music, Radinsky's career arc is unparalleled, so you know he has some great stories to tell.

Shortly after the release of Pulley's seventh album (The Golden Life, out now on SBÄM Records!) and a run of shows in Europe and Canada, Radinsky spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the recent tour with Bad Religion and Pennywise, the response the new record has received, and what's on the horizon for the band. Over the course of the conversation, Radinsky discussed the drastic differences between life as a pro ballplayer and a touring punk musician, experiences from his early bands, his departure from Ten Foot Pole and the start of Pulley, and the similarities between a great pitching outing and a great show.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Pulley ("Lonely").

175 – Ricky Ramirez (The Mothership, Gavilán, Population Control) Jul 08, 2022

This week's guest is Ricky Ramirez, who Milwaukee-area listeners might know as the owner of The Mothership. Since opening the Bay View bar in early 2019, Ramirez has managed to navigate his business through a worldwide pandemic, earn attention by way of The Mothership's unconventional/unflinchingly honest social media presence, and (probably) sell more Hamm's beer than anywhere else in the state of Wisconsin. Along the way, Ramirez has brought some interior and exterior changes to the bar and he's launched an on-site food truck. Oh, and have we mentioned Ricky is also in a band?

Recently, Ramirez welcomed My First Band host and Mothership regular Tyler Maas into his bar to talk about his bartender past, the origin of The Mothership, some challenges he's faced and lessons he's learned over the last three-plus years, the decision to start the Gavilán food truck, and goals he has for both ventures in the future. After chatting about the bar business (and reminiscing about the time they watched the Bucks win the NBA Finals at The Mothership), Ramirez told Maas about hiding his hip-hop albums from his religious parents as a kid, his introduction to heavy metal in high school, how he unknowingly auditioned to become the vocalist in Population Control and some of his favorite experiences from his time in the band so far. You can see Population Control at X-Ray Arcade on Sunday, July 10.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Population Control ("Drowning In The Trenches Of My Mind").

174 – Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners, Hot Water Music) Jul 01, 2022

This week's guest is Chris Cresswell. You probably know this Canadian crooner as the singer/guitarist of The Flatliners, as a guitarist in Hot Water Music or from his work as a solo artist. This year is the 20th anniversary of The Flatliners, and the band is marking the occasion with the release of its sixth full-length album — New Ruin, out Aug. 5 on Fat Wreck Chords — and with extensive touring throughout Europe and North America in the coming months. Additionally, Hot Water Music also released an album earlier this year and is embarking on a 25th anniversary tour throughout Europe and North America. In short, Cresswell is staying busy.

During a rare moment at home between tours, Cresswell was gracious enough to spend an hour speaking with My First Band host Tyler Maas about those exciting modern day developments and his pre-Flatliners musical backstory. Over the course of the conversation, Cresswell talked about growing up in a Toronto suburb, his mom's musical influence on him, taking guitar lessons in the late '90s, forming Short Notice (which essentially turned into The Flatliners), the ups and downs of early tours, memorable moments from the past two decades of The Flatliners and how the opportunity to join Hot Water Music came to be.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Flatliners ("Souvenir").

173 – Allen Epley (Shiner, The Life and Times) Jun 24, 2022

Midwestern rock and roll fans rejoice because this week's guest is the great Allen Epley. You likely know Epley as the vocalist and guitarist of Shiner and The Life And Times, as the host of the Third Gear Scratch podcast, and as a member of BirdHands and the backing band of the Chicago Blue Man Group. He's up to a lot at the moment, including a Shiner tour (and the upcoming vinyl re-release of the band's entire catalog via Spartan Records) and writing a new The Life And Times record.

Between the busy modern happenings and his decades of amazing artistic experiences, Epley had a lot to talk about when he took some time to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas recently. After catching up on contemporary events, Epley talked about growing up in a musical family in Louisville, starting a cover band in college, the early days and significant moments from his decades in Shiner, shifting focus with The Life And Times, and why missing out on major label opportunities was a blessing in disguise.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Shiner ("In The End").

172 – Eric W. Krueger (Sunday Flood, Leading the Blind, A-Town Unplugged) Jun 17, 2022

This week's guest is Eric W. Krueger, who has been a musical mainstay in the Fox Cities — a region in northeast Wisconsin — for close to 30 years. Though he's been active in a wide range of bands since he was a teenager (including at least four different projects presently), Krueger only recently put out his debut solo album. Shortly after the release of Shed Songs and prior to the June 24 release show at Appleton's Deja Vu Martini Lounge, Krueger caught up with My First Band host Tyler Maas to talk about the new album and everything that came before it.

After the longtime friends caught up on recent happenings, Krueger told Maas about the process of writing and recording Shed Songs, he talked about what the summer holds for his various bands, and he reminisced about some of the late '80s/early '90s house shows that prompted his foray into playing music. Over the course of the conversation, Krueger delved into the origin of Sunday Flood (and memorable experiences from the band's lengthy run), subsequent bands like Shallows and Like Fine Wine, and the fulfillment he gets from his variety of present day projects (Leading The Blind, A-Town Unplugged, Mark Steven Hillstrom, and Hallorann).

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Eric W. Krueger ("Brush Fire").

171 – Aymen Saleh (Holy Pinto) Jun 10, 2022

This week's guest is Aymen Saleh. The Milwaukee singer, songwriter and producer — who releases music under the Holy Pinto moniker — has kept busy of late with a steady run of local performances, semi-frequent tours and collaborations with artists from all ends of the musical spectrum. Long before he became an unlikely ambassador for the Milwaukee music scene, Saleh was growing up in Canterbury, England, and devoting his time to learning the drums and guitar.

Recently, Saleh joined My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about modern musical happenings, upcoming work (including an upcoming song with Bartees Strange) and how music transported him across an ocean and squarely into the unknown. Over the course of the conversation, Saleh talked about playing some of his first concerts in Canterbury, moving to London to study music, starting a band with a longtime friend, some important advice he got from The Front Bottoms and how a random set of circumstances and the kindness of strangers found the kid from England eventually calling Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his home.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Holy Pinto ("Milwaukee").

170 – The Stereo (Rory Phillips and Jamie Woolford) Jun 03, 2022

If you're not familiar with The Stereo, chances are you know many of the acts they've influenced. Founded in 1999, the band released four well-received albums on Fueled By Ramen, toured in Europe and Asia, and sat on the cusp of even bigger and better things. However, The Stereo also experienced more than its fair share of bad luck, unfortunate timing and member turnover before ultimately calling it quits in 2004.

Now reunited, The Stereo is back with its first new album in more than 20 years. The band preceded the May 13 release of Thirteen with a five-part companion podcast called "Kings of No Hope" that chronicles the ups, the downs and the reformation of The Stereo. Shortly after the release of both of those things, founding members Rory Phillips and Jamie Woolford spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new album, the band's tumultuous backstory and the path back to collaboration. Along the way, Phillips talked about his early bands in Austin as well as his years in The Impossibles and Woolford talked about pre-Stereo experiences with Midwest ska staples, including The Pacers and Animal Chin.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Stereo ("Do You / Don't You").

169 – Josh Evert (The Fatty Acids, Silver City Studios, Dinner Set Gang) May 27, 2022

If you follow Milwaukee music, there's a very good chance you've heard Josh Evert's work. In addition to being the longtime singer of The Fatty Acids, Evert played drums in Jaill, he's currently part of a great new project called Dinner Set Gang, and he crafts inventive and impressive solo work using field recordings he collects in natural settings all over the world. Beyond his own artistic endeavors, Evert also records a wide range of musicians at Silver City Studios — a Milwaukee-based studio he co-owns — and he's helped raise approximately $70,000 for school art programs as one of the founders of Arte Para Todos.

Shortly after returning from an artist residency on a ship stationed in the Arctic Circle, Evert welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his studio to talk about that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, what he plans to create from the sounds gathered in the arctic, and what he's currently up to with Dinner Set Gang and at Silver City Studios. Along the way, Evert also talked about early bands and his stint in a boys choir while growing up in a small town outside of Madison, the start (and rapid growth) of The Fatty Acids, experiences from his time in the band Jaill, his foray into the recording business, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Josh Evert ("Phantom Limb").

168 – Joshua Fleming (Vandoliers) May 20, 2022

As the lead singer and founding member of Vandoliers, Joshua Fleming has released three outstanding albums, aggressively toured throughout the U.S., and shared the stage with legendary acts like Old 97's and Flogging Molly. Before he was wowing listeners all over the world with a winning blend of country and punk, Fleming was playing shows at roller rinks and other all-ages spaces in the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas, with his high school ska band.

Just before setting out on another tour, Fleming spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about modern-day Vandoliers happenings (including an upcoming run of European shows in June), the Blink-182 and Fenix TX concert he attended as a kid that inspired his musical journey, booking day-long ska festivals as a high schooler, getting serious in his 20s as the member of a garage rock band called The Phuss, the circumstances that led him to starting Vandoliers, and some of the most memorable experiences he's had along the way.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Vandoliers ("Every Saturday Night").

167 – Tim Dillard (Milwaukee Brewers) May 13, 2022

We broke format for this week's episode and invited Tim Dillard to be a guest on My First Band. The charismatic professional-pitcher-turned-broadcaster spent the vast majority of his 18-year playing career as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, including stints at all levels of the team's minor-league system and parts of four seasons in the Majors. Along the way, he became a fan favorite, amassed some unbelievable experiences and collected some great stories.

Recently, Dillard spent part of a Brewers off day at Milwaukee Record headquarters, where he talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his post-retirement work in television, growing up immersed in baseball and standout memories from his lengthy career spent largely in the minors. Dillard also talked about the role music plays on the field and in the locker room, what he listened to growing up, what he listens to now, and the time he and some teammates went to an Incubus show in Iowa after a game and got into some trouble.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

166 – Pete Donnelly (The Figgs) May 06, 2022

Pete Donnelly is an accomplished solo artist and a former member of NRBQ, but you probably know him better as the bassist, one of the vocalists and a founding member of The Figgs. Since starting out in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1987, The Figgs have played thousands of shows all over the U.S. and beyond, they've toured with the likes of Weezer and The Cranberries, and they've managed dozens of timeless releases.

Prior to a recent run of shows in the Midwest in accordance with the band's just-released Chemical Shake, Donnelly spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas the new album, why Wisconsin is like a second home to the band and some of the most memorable moments from his 35 years in The Figgs. Along the way, Donnelly discussed his own musical start, his recent output, the experience of having a song placement in a Lexus commercial and the importance of retaining ownership of your material.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Figgs ("Jump This Jive").

165 – Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!) Apr 29, 2022

This week's guest is Laura Jane Grace! In addition to being the singer and founding member of Against Me!, Grace is also an author and an accomplished solo artist. Before setting out on The Carousel Tour — which will take place all around the U.S. throughout the month of May, including a May 2 show at The Rave — she spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the collaborative tour, which also features Anthony Green, Tim Kasher, Mikey Erg, and more; other recent solo shows; and her extensive musical history.

Over the course of the conversation, Grace talked about listening to her dad's music collection as a kid, starting bands in middle school, the early years and steady evolution of Against Me!, some of the most memorable artistic experiences she's had over the course of her career, and things she hopes to do in the years to come. Along the way, Grace talked about a song that was at least partially inspired by The Rave swimming pool and Maas showed his lack of Florida geography knowledge.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Laura Jane Grace ("The Swimming Pool Song").

164 – Vincent Van Great Apr 22, 2022

Vincent Van Great is a man of many talents. The Milwaukee singer, rapper and producer has been showcasing his diverse set of skills for years but really started turning heads in his hometown and beyond with his attention-grabbing and award-winning Troublemakers EP collaboration he released with Amanda Huff last year.

Coming off a big 2021 and prior to what looks to be a very busy summer ahead, Van Great joined My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about recent happenings, his hopes for the future and where his musical journey began. Over the course of the conversation, Van Great talked about his artistic origin in a church choir, making beats for rappers in high school, eventually adding rapping and singing to his repertoire, and the experience of opening for Ludacris and performing with Eric Andre.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Vincent Van Great featuring Amanda Huff ("Double Strawberry Plush").

163 – Siri Undlin (Humbird) Apr 15, 2022

Siri Undlin's musical journey started at a very young age. The founding member and bandleader of Humbird, an outstanding Minneapolis-based folk project, is the daughter of a Lutheran preacher and she sang in the church's choir as a child. Piano lessons and guitar tutorials soon followed and, by the time she was in middle school, she was regularly performing in Irish pubs in the Twin Cities as a member of a band called Celtic Club. While she's been immersed in the arts for the majority of her life, Undlin continues to be driven by music and eager to keep creating.

Recently, during a day off from Humbird's ongoing tour, which includes an April 21 performance at Anodyne in Walker's Point, in belated support of 2021's wonderful Still Life, Undlin spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the tour, the process of making the album in isolation, Humbird's Patreon page and what's to come. Along the way, the conversation touched upon her extensive musical history, formative experiences and relationships she made in the Minneapolis music scene in her teens and 20s, what early tours taught her, and why the process of songwriting will always seem magical.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Humbird ("Plum Sky").

162 – Robb MacLean (Limbeck) Apr 08, 2022

As the singer and guitarist of Limbeck, Robb MacLean has been part of some excellent and influential albums. He's toured all around the U.S. and Europe with bands like Motion City Soundtrack and All-American Rejects, and he's even had a song featured on a Mac commercial. After more than 20 years together (off and on), Limbeck is still at it, and they're currently working on new material. In addition to writing new music, the band is also gearing up to play a few shows this spring.

Prior to Limbeck's pair of performances in Milwaukee and Madison as part of Good Land Records' "11-Year Anniversary Party" April 29-30, MacLean spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the band's modern-day plans, some standout moments from their two-decade run and where his personal musical journey began. Over the course of the conversation, MacLean talked about forming a band as a joke in high school, enduring bad gigs and small crowds during his years with The Machos, the unlikely set of circumstances that ultimately led to him joining Limbeck, and why the California-based band feels at home in Wisconsin.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Limbeck ("Making The Rounds").

161 – John Garrison (Kali Masi) Apr 01, 2022

As the drummer of Kali Masi, John Garrison has performed all around the United States, toured Europe, played Riot Fest and FEST, shared the stage with the likes of The Lawrence Arms and Titus Andronicus, and released one of our favorite albums of last year (the altogether outstanding [laughs] via Take This To Heart Records). Years before he was keeping the beat for the accomplished Chicago punk quartet, Garrison was growing up in a Windy City suburb and practicing percussion in a bunch of short-lived projects that landed all over the map stylistically.

Prior to Kali Masi's April 9 concert at Cobra Lounge and upcoming European tour with Spanish Love Songs, Garrison spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about getting back on stage after an extended pandemic-related pause, the band's new Patreon page and his musical start in basements and garages in Naperville, Illinois. Over the course of the conversation, Garrison talked about the influence his older brother had on his music taste, playing songs by Megadeth and The Hives in his middle school talent show, and finally finding musical kinship when he met his eventual Kali Masi bandmate Sam Porter in high school.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Kali Masi ("Guilt Like A Gun").

160 – Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Mar 25, 2022

At just 23 years of age, budding blues guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has recorded with Buddy Guy and Keb Mo, performed alongside Jason Isbell and Samantha Fish, and released two well-received albums on Alligator Records. The latest of those albums, last year’s 662, earned the axe-wielding wunderkind a Grammy nomination. Kingfish has already accomplished so much at a very young age, but it seems like even better things are on the horizon for the guitar virtuoso and captivating crooner.

On a recent day off during his "662 Juke Joint Live" tour, Kingfish spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about being back on the road again, how it feels to be up for another Grammy and what's ahead for him in terms of shows and new material. Over the course of the conversation, Kingfish talked about growing up in Northern Mississippi and being drawn to blues as a kid, sitting in with bands as a teenager, striking out on his own as an adult, some of his favorite experiences music has brought him so far, and goals he has for the years to come.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Kingfish ("Long Distance Woman").

159 – The Dollyrots Mar 18, 2022

During the band's 20-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Though the band itself has quite a long and interesting history, its founding members go back even further. Now back on the road in support of a new release — a 24-track collection of B-sides, rarities and covers called Down the Rabbit Hole — on Wicked Cool Records, the story continues for Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas.

Prior to a recent show at X-Ray Arcade, The Dollyrots welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into the band's RV to talk about Down the Rabbit Hole, the ongoing tour, upcoming European shows with Bowling For Soup and Lit, and the possibility their biggest hit is still to come. Over the course of the conversation, Ogden and Cabezas spoke about meeting in middle school, dating in high school, going to college together and starting a band, and moving to Los Angeles with no money and a bunch of exotic pets. Along the way, they talked about being featured in a commercial, their appreciation for people like Joan Jett and Steven Van Zandt, and how much they appreciate their drummer Justin, who also makes a cameo in the episode.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Dollyrots ("Too Fun For My Health").

158 – Martin Defatte (Guerrilla Ghost, Triple Eye Industries, Tron Jovi) Mar 11, 2022

Martin Defatte is a busy guy. The Milwaukee-based producer is one half of Guerrilla Ghost, an owner and co-founder of the Triple Eye Industries record label, and a web developer who helped build and maintain the archives at MKE Punk. In addition to that diverse collection of credits, Defatte also has a solo project called Tron Jovi, he's part of an experimental duo called M.Ape, and he's created dozens upon dozens of album covers. Long before he was making beats and releasing music from a wide range of Midwestern bands, Defatte was the bassist in a Racine punk project who took an interest in the relatively young field of computer design. Prior to the release of Guerrilla Ghost's Hell Is Empty And All The Devils Are Here, Defatte welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his home studio to talk about the upcoming album (out April 15!), other releases Triple Eye Industries has planned this year and where his musical backstory begins. Over the course of the conversation, Defatte talked about his stint in Bound to One as a teenager, studying design in college, making fliers and CD covers for punk and hardcore bands, and getting back into the performance side of music after moving to Milwaukee. The interview also touches on the importance (and near extinction) of MKE Punk and the weird fact that Defatte and Maas share a birthday.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Guerrilla Ghost ("I Don't Like People Playing On My Phone").

157 – Monica Martin (PHOX) Mar 04, 2022

In her relatively brief career as a musician, Monica Martin has toured in Australia, New Zealand, around Europe and throughout the United States. She's performed on late-night television, shared the stage with world-renowned bands like The Head And The Heart and The Lumineers, and played a bunch of major music festivals. Though she's done so much already, Martin seems to only be getting started. The Los Angeles (by way of Wisconsin) singer-songwriter, whom you might know from PHOX, is now releasing music under her own name and preparing to release a new album. Recently, Martin spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about collaborating with James Blake, her plans for the future and everything that brought her to this point. Over the course of the conversation, Martin talked about the experience of moving from Chicago to the small Wisconsin town of Baraboo as a kid, reluctantly joining a band after high school and some of the most memorable and significant moments from her tenure in PHOX.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Monica Martin ("Go Easy Kid").

156 – Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop) Feb 25, 2022

We're bending the show's format again this week by chatting about music (and more!) with Gareth Reynolds. Though the comedian, actor, writer and one half of The Dollop podcast is not a musician, My First Band host Tyler Maas was still excited to hear Reynolds discuss his listening and show-going past, what he's listening to now, and some of the parallels he feels musicians and comedians share.

Over the course of the conversation, Reynolds talked about his own comedic backstory, he shared anecdotes about memorable concerts he went to when he was growing up and he told a story of the time Andrew W.K. FaceTimed with his mom while on set. Along the way, Reynolds and Maas also talked about the state of the Green Bay Packers, bombing in Appleton and how there's no music festival quite like Summerfest.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Feck ("Waiting For Walter").

155 – Erik Stenglein Feb 18, 2022

For close to 15 years, Erik Stenglein has been the vocalist, guitarist and only constant member of Northless. During that span, the Milwaukee metal band has managed a number of sludgy and punishing releases that have earned the attention of respected music publications and listeners all over the world. With new members in the fold, a new album on the way sometime this year and shows on the books, it looks like there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon for Northless.

Prior to his band's March 11 show at Cactus Club, Stenglein spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about all those exciting developments and many of the projects that preceded Northless. Over the course of the conversation, Stenglein talked about growing up in the rural Wisconsin town of Hubertus, discovering Metallica at a young age, immersing himself in guitar, playing in a variety of grindcore and hardcore bands in his teens and early 20s, finding kinship in the Milwaukee music scene, and some of the most memorable moments he's experienced as a member of Northless. And, yes, the Ernest film franchise also came up!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Northless ("Godsend").

154 – Mike Mitchell (Doughboys, The Birthday Boys, Love) Feb 11, 2022

This week's episode features a fun conversation with actor and podcaster Mike Mitchell. Though "Mitch," who you probably know from his work on films like The Tomorrow War, TV shows like The Birthday Boys and the Netflix series Love, and as a host of Doughboys, is not a musician by trade, music actually plays a fairly significant role in both his career and his life in general. Recently, Mitch spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about some of his first musical discoveries and show experiences when he was growing up in Boston (well, in Quincy, the be exact), calling into radio stations to request songs as a teenager, his enduring love of Dave Matthews Band and Pink Floyd, and what he's listening to now. Along the way, Mr. Slice talked about some song-based sketches he was involved in as a member of The Birthday Boys (including the widely popular "Woosh" birthday song), the part music plays on Doughboys, the experience of acting opposite Jon Hamm and Eric Edelstein in an Eels music video, and his ongoing quest to get a song on the Billboard charts.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Mike Mitchell with Carl Tart ("Philadelphia Cream Cheese").

153 – Peter Mulvey Feb 04, 2022

Over the course of his 30-year music career, Peter Mulvey has released more than 20 albums, written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows all over the world, shared bills with a wealth of notable performers and helped to enact change though his efforts as an activist and environmentalist. Before the Massachusetts-based singer and songwriter was gathering experiences and sharing his perspective with audiences spread far and wide, he was a theater kid growing up in Milwaukee.

Prior to setting out on the road for a run of Midwestern shows (including a homecoming concert at The Back Room @ Colectivo on Feb. 17), Mulvey told My First Band host Tyler Maas about growing up on Milwaukee's northwest side, starting a band while attending college at Marquette, changing his artistic trajectory after busking in Ireland during a semester abroad, starting out in the Boston folk scene, the ups and downs of touring, and some of the standout experiences from the past 30 years. Along the way, Mulvey and Maas gush about how much they both like SistaStrings.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Peter Mulvey with SistaStrings ("Don't You Ever Change").

152 – Kev Marcus (Black Violin) Jan 28, 2022

At this point in his career, it might take us less time to list the amazing things Kev Marcus hasn't done. As the violinist in Black Violin, Marcus has played thousands of shows all around the planet. He's collaborated with the likes of Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. He's helped produce music for Tom Petty, Lupe Fiasco and more. He's opened for Jay-Z, Kanye West and Akon. He's played on Broadway, been part of Super Bowl and U.S. Open performances, and entertained President Obama at one of his Inauguration Balls. In the process, he's also helped to change perceptions about what both classical music and hip-hop can be.

Before he was reaching listeners from all around the world, Marcus was a mischievous kid in Florida who was handed a string instrument and told to play. Prior to Black Violin's upcoming tour (which includes a Feb. 3 show at Marcus Performing Arts Center), the accomplished violinist spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about many of those aforementioned experiences, his musical start and how meeting his longtime bandmate Wil B in high school — coupled with some formative instructors and significant album discoveries in college — changed the trajectory of his life. Along the way, Marcus also talked about busking outside of Miami night clubs to build a following and book shows, winning Showtime at the Apollo, and the importance of showing kids that classical music can be cool.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Black Violin ("Dreamer").

151 – Linh Le (Bad Cop / Bad Cop) Jan 21, 2022

As the bassist and co-vocalist of Bad Cop / Bad Cop, Linh Le has been part of some great releases, played to audiences all over the world and shared the stage with some of punk rock's biggest acts. Long before she was part of that beloved and accomplished band, Le was a gymnast in Rochester, New York, who took an interest in music after an injury suddenly threw her life for a loop.

Recently, Le talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about her artistic outset, getting back on the road after a pandemic-prompted break and some of the significant experiences she's had along the way. Over the course of the discussion, she talked about learning bass as a teenager, playing in a few bands while living in Philadelphia, moving to California without a plan, the chain of events that led to her joining Bad Cop / Bad Cop and some of her favorite moments from her 10-plus years in the band. She also talked about her Bassists Against Racists organization and doled out a few accounting tips before episode's end.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Bad Cop / Bad Cop ("Certain Kind Of Monster").

150 – Nathan Ellis (The Casket Lottery, Coalesce) Jan 14, 2022

This week's episode — and My First Band's milestone 150th episode! — features an enjoyable trip down Memory Lane with Nathan Ellis. Over the last 25 years, the singer/guitarist of The Casket Lottery and bass player of Coalesce has been part of some timeless and all-around outstanding releases, he's toured all over the country, and he's helped to bolster Kansas City's already sterling musical reputation. Though he's done a lot over the last quarter-century, Ellis is still making music and looking forward to more artistic adventures in the years to come.

Earlier this week, Ellis took some time out of demoing some new Casket Lottery material in the studio to chat with My First Band host Tyler Maas. After talking about the band's recent happenings, which included appearances at FEST and Furnace Fest last year in belated support of 2020's wonderful Short Songs For End Times, Ellis told Maas about a show he attended in Lawrence, Kansas, as an eighth grader that helped set his musical journey into motion. Over the course of the conversation, Ellis talked about playing (and winning) his high school battle of the bands with a short-lived group called Matilda, his brief stint in a hardcore outfit that opened for Propagandhi, foregoing college to tour extensively with Coalesce, and some of his favorite moments he's had with The Casket Lottery (so far).

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Casket Lottery ("More Blood").

149 – Talking About Green Bay Packers Music Jan 07, 2022

Since the Green Bay Packers just clinched the top seed in the NFC and are gearing up for the playoffs (and, yes, because we also didn't get around to booking a guest), My First Band is breaking format this week to focus on a strange and hyper-specific type of music: novelty Packers songs! Yes, both My First Band host Tyler Maas and engineer/co-producer Jared Blohm are Packer Backers and unironic appreciators of goofy, football-focused tunes.

Prior to this Sunday's regular season finale and what's sure to be a playoff run capable of inspiring a lot of new songs, Maas and Blohm talked about the soft spot they each have for Packers-related novelty and parody music, how the "genre" has changed and grown over the years, and some of their favorite artists in this creative category. Get ready to hear about memorable material from the likes of C.W.A., Happy Schnapps Combo, The Wedgies, The Wizenhiemers and Lil Wayne, as well as lesser-known green-and-gold greats like Widacre and Poopshovel. We'll be back to the normal My First Band format next week! Probably.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Whisky Pig ("Titletown").

148 – Andy Baxter (Penny and Sparrow) Dec 23, 2021

My First Band is ending 2021 on a great note by interviewing Andy Baxter. As half of Penny and Sparrow, Baxter — the long-running duo's vocalist — has performed all over the country, shared the stage with some legendary musicians and released six albums that have been heard and enjoyed by millions of people. Not too bad for a guy who didn't really have any artistic aspirations until college!

Recently, in advance of Penny and Sparrow's seventh album (Olly Olly, which comes out Jan. 21), Baxter spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of self-producing the record with his best friend/co-collaborator Kyle Jahnke and he also talked about what 2022 holds for the band. Over the course of the fun and lighthearted conversation, the accomplished singer discussed his musical outset, including chorus classes, imitating songs he heard on the radio in his bedroom and a chance meeting at the University of Texas that would change both his career trajectory and his life forever. Along the way, Baxter and Maas also chatted about Vince Young, baby jeans and their shared love of '90s pop radio.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Penny And Sparrow ("Alabama Haint").

147 – Adam Bartlett (Gilead Media, Eroding Winds Record Shop) Dec 17, 2021

Adam Bartlett has been on a few different sides of the music industry. As the founder, owner and operator of Gilead Media, he's released dozens upon dozens of albums from bands all over the world during the last 12 years. As the founder, owner and operator of Eroding Winds Record Shop, he's sold records to customers in and around Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the past five years. And before both of those ventures, Bartlett worked for a music distributor, he played in bands, he booked shows, and he worked at another independent record store. Through his extensive and eclectic record-related background, Bartlett has witnessed a great deal of change in the way people listen to and release music through the years, and he's seen the vinyl boom firsthand.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas stopped by Eroding Winds to do some holiday shopping and to talk to Bartlett about all aspects of his diverse musical background. Over the course of the conversation, Bartlett talked about being a regular-turned-employee at The Exclusive Company in downtown Oshkosh in his teens and early 20s, moving to Ohio to work for a music distributor, starting Gilead Media without any expectations and quickly finding unexpected success releasing vinyl in the early 2000s, the start of Eroding Winds, and why he doesn't blame Adele for the pressing delays currently plaguing smaller artists/labels. Along the way, Bartlett talked about his time as a metalcore vocalist and Maas reminisced about his years in Oshkosh.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

146 – Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Watkins Family Hour) Dec 10, 2021

As a member of Nickel Creek, Sean Watkins has won a Grammy, he's had albums go Platinum and Gold, he's traveled the world, and he's worked with some of the biggest names in music. Not too shabby for a first band, right? Of course, it took many years and countless hours of practice before any of that happened. Before his Nickel Creek tenure and long before the start of Watkins Family Hour and his fruitful solo project, Watkins was dabbling in bluegrass at a pizza place outside of San Diego and anywhere else he was able to play ... so long as his parents could give him a ride.

Prior to Watkins Family Hour's upcoming run of Midwest shows in belated support of last year's Brother Sister, Sean Watkins spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about childhood piano lessons, starting Nickel Creek when he was 12 (and his sister/bandmate Sara was just 8), and how a mix of adult encouragement, chance meetings and hard work helped set him on musical journey that's lasted roughly 35 years and counting. Over the course of the conversation, Watkins talked about collaborating with Dolly Parton and John C. Reilly, what's to come from Nickel Creek and Watkins Family Hour in 2022, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Watkins Family Hour ("The Cure").

145 – Steve Gunn Dec 03, 2021

You'd be hard-pressed to find a musician as prolific and enigmatic as Steve Gunn. The New-York-based singer, songwriter and guitarist has managed more than 20 releases in the past 15 years, including collaborations with Kurt Vile, Hiss Golden Messenger, Ryley Walker and more. Each new album, EP and split finds Gunn venturing into new and unfamiliar territory and demonstrating his continued growth and evolution as an artist. His latest, Other You — which came out on Matador Records this past summer — is no exception, with an uncharacteristically bright sound and an aura of optimism that's present in the album's 11 tracks.

Before setting out on a co-headlining tour with Jeff Parker (which includes a Dec. 4 stop at Cactus Club in Milwaukee), Gunn spent some time telling My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of making Other You, his excitement to be back on the road and playing solo shows, and what's in store for him next year. Along the way, Gunn spoke about growing up a few miles outside of Philadelphia, the role nearby college radio stations and independent record stores had on his musical taste, and spending his teens and 20s exploring New York and other East Coast hubs in search of new and unfamiliar live music experiences. Before episode's end, Gunn also talked about taking guitar lessons, playing in a project called GHQ and briefly being part of Vile's backing band, The Violators.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Steve Gunn ("Fulton").

144 – Emily Wolfe Nov 26, 2021

If you don't know the name Emily Wolfe yet, you will soon. The Austin-based singer, songwriter and guitarist is a few months removed from the release of Outlier, her excellent sophomore album that's earned acclaim from listeners and critics alike. Epiphone now produces a signature model guitar that bears her name, and she's about to take that guitar on the road again when she embarks on a Midwestern tour next month before what's sure to be a busy and bountiful 2022. Long before Wolfe was collaborating with Queens of the Stone Age members and sharing the stage with the likes of Joan Jett and Heart, she was playing acoustic brunch sets at restaurants and trying to make a name for herself in the Texas capital.

Prior to hitting the road again (including a Dec. 9 headlining show at Cactus Club in Milwaukee), Wolfe spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about what it's been like getting back on the road again, the process of recording the new album with Michael Shuman and highlights from her already impressive and still-blossoming career. Over the course of the conversation, Wolfe talked about being drawn to guitar at the age of 5, immersing herself in songwriting in her teens, diving headfirst into Austin's music scene during her college years and some of the formative experiences and opportunities that — combined with her years of hard work and natural talent — helped her become the artist she is today.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Emily Wolfe ("Damage Control").

143 – Ashley Smith (Whips, Red Knife Lottery) Nov 19, 2021

These days, Ashley Smith stays busy as the owner and operator of Alive and Fine — a vintage shop in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood — and as one of the founders/organizers responsible for the annual Hover Craft maker fair (which is set to return to The Pritzlaff Building on Dec. 5). She also runs the recurring One Trick Pony pop up flea market and, oh yeah, is a mother of two as well. Though she's developed quite an impressive reputation in the Midwestern vintage, maker, arts and craft realms, Smith is also one hell of a lead singer.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas stopped by Alive and Fine and asked Smith about her business, Hover Craft's return and her on-stage alter ego as the frontwoman of renowned Milwaukee acts like Red Knife Lottery and Whips. Over the course of the conversation, Smith spoke about singing harmonies on her mother's church compositions as a kid, finding and quickly immersing herself in the basement show and legion hall scene as a teenager, recording with John Congleton and playing with Paramore during the Red Knife days, memorable moments from her Whips tenure, and much more. Along the way, Smith also talked about co-founding Girls Rock Milwaukee camp and teased an upcoming song she's working on.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Whips ("Nobody's Fool").

142 – Brian Aubert (Silversun Pickups) Nov 12, 2021

This week's guest is Silversun Pickups singer, guitarist and founding member Brian Aubert. Since starting the project with then-roommate Nikki Monninger more than 20 years ago, Aubert and his band have released five acclaimed albums, including the Gold-selling 2006 debut, Carnavas. Along the way, Silversun Pickups saw 10 of its songs land in the top 20 of the Billboard charts, they've played shows to adoring fans throughout the world and they've shared the stage with some of music's biggest names. Aubert has come quite a long way since he was a kid performing to his stuffed animals in his "fake Duran Duran lip-sync band."

A few hours before last weekend's Silversun Pickups concert at The Rave, Aubert spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about what it's like being back on the road, the experience of stopping an early 2020 tour on account of the pandemic, the band's unassuming start and unexpected rise to worldwide notoriety, and all the projects that came before. Over the course of the conversation, Aubert talked about taking guitar class in first grade, briefly playing bass in a post-punk project and once opening for Elliott Smith.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery, and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

141 – Joe Pera (Joe Pera Talks with You) Nov 05, 2021

Joe Pera isn't someone with a musical background, but he plays one on TV. The incomparable actor and comedian is the star and namesake of Joe Pera Talks With You, an acclaimed Adult Swim series that focuses on the life and lessons of a soft-spoken and cordial middle school choir teacher in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Though the show's topics — that touch on everything from bean arches to lighthouses to breakfast foods and everything in between — vary from episode to episode, music actually plays a surprisingly significant part in the series. On top of the main character's occupation itself, songs have been specifically written for Joe Pera Talks With You, and one unforgettable episode even focuses entirely on a song by The Who.

Recently, during his press blitz leading up to the show's Season 3 premiere on Nov. 7, Pera spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about some of Joe Pera Talks With You's musical moments, what to expect from the new season, the experience of filming in Milwaukee and the U.P., and the work composer Ryan Dann and other crew members have done to add to the emotion and the absurdity of on-screen moments. Over the course of the conversation, Pera talked about bands he's listening to now, recent concerts he's attended and the inspiration for the "Baba O'Riley" episode.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Advance Base ("Your Dog").

140 – Amanda Huff (You Win!!!, Strangelander) Oct 29, 2021

Amanda Huff likes to stay busy. The Milwaukee-based singer and songwriter is fresh off FIVE Summerfest performances, a bunch of other shows as half of You Win !!! and the release of a standout EP with Vincent Van Great. In the coming months, she will also have her outstanding voice featured on releases she can't even talk about yet. And that's not even factoring in her solo project and her work with Strangelander. Long before she was part of an eclectic and impressive collection of creative endeavors, Huff was a kid in Illinois developing her vocal talents and waiting for the right time to dive headfirst into the world of music.

Following an especially active artistic run, Huff recently found time to meet up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters. Over the course of the discussion, Huff talked about growing up in Aurora, moving to Milwaukee to attend art school, winding up in a few Riverwest and East Side bands, playing solo, and eventually becoming part of the aforementioned projects that she's still part of today. Along the way, Huff shouts out Eiffel 65 and Maas makes some regrettable puns.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Vincent Van Great and Amanda Huff ("Treats").

139 – Steve Rawles (Belvedere) Oct 22, 2021

This week's guest is Belvedere singer, guitarist and founding member Steve Rawles. Since staring in 1995, the Calgary, Alberta-based band has shared the stage with many of punk rock's biggest names, released a number of great EPs and albums, and played more than 1,500 shows in more than 40 countries. After spending more than a quarter century traveling the world with Belvedere, This Is a Standoff and as a solo performer, Rawles has quite a collection of entertaining stories and important lessons he's learned along the way.

Recently, Rawles spent part of his two-day break between legs of Belvedere's ongoing Canadian tour speaking to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the band's new album (Hindsight Is the Sixth Sense), getting back on the road after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the perpetually touring outfit to stay home and plans he has for 2022 (and beyond). Of course, the interview also touched on Rawles musical start, including taking piano and trumpet lessons as a kid, beginning a label as a teenager, starting Belvedere with little-to-no expectations in college, and some of the best — and weirdest — moments from his decades on stage. Along the way, also talked about his Merit-Based Booking agency, some of his favorite places to perform and things he still hopes to do before his career as a touring musician is all said and done.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Belvedere ("Happily Never After").

138 – Spike Slawson (Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Swingin' Utters, Uke-Hunt) Oct 15, 2021

As the singer of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Spike Slawson has toured the world, shared the stage and studio with some of punk rock's most legendary names, and helped to breathe new and unexpected life into some of pop music's greatest hits. Long before he was fronting one of the world's most accomplished cover acts and playing originals in bands like Swingin' Utters and Re-Volts, Slawson was a regular at early'80s punk and hardcore shows in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, Slawson found some time during his tour with Violent Femmes and Flogging Molly to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas about getting to hit the road with the Gimmes again, his recent work with Los Nuevos Bajos and Uke Hunt, and some of the formative musical experiences from his past. Over the course of the conversation, Slawson talked about some of the first concerts he attended, moving to a small California city called Davis at 16, winding up in San Francisco after high school, working in the shipping department at Fat Wreck Chords, and some of his favorite moments from his many years in Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and Swingin' Utters.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Los Nuevos Bajos ("Gema").

137 – Chris Vos (The Record Company) Oct 08, 2021

As the singer and guitarist of The Record Company, Chris Vos has released chart-topping songs that have garnered regular radio play, had placement in television and on commercials, and even earned the band a Grammy nomination. During the group's decade-long run, they've toured all around North America and Europe, shared the stage with legends like Robert Plant and John Mayer, played some of the country's most iconic venues, performed on network television, and enjoyed a number of other experiences that extend far beyond their wildest dreams. With the blues-rock band about to hit the road in support of their third album (Play Loud, out today!), there's no better time to look back on their front man's musical past.

Prior to that tour, which kicks off at Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom this Sunday, Vos spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of recording the new album, his excitement to start touring again and the unexpected set of circumstances that turned The Record Company from a living room project into an accomplished band with fans all around the world. Of course, the conversation also focused on his musical start. During the extensive and uplifting interview, Vos talked about growing up on a rural Wisconsin dairy farm, starting a high school band, immersing himself in music after moving to Milwaukee, following his wife to Los Angeles and the classified ad that helped forge The Record Company and change his life forever.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Record Company ("Gotta Be Movin'").

136 – Wes Tank Oct 01, 2021

Last year, Milwaukee-based musician, producer, actor and videographer Wes Tank went viral by rapping Dr. Seuss books over beats made by Dr. Dre. Those early pandemic videos garnered millions of YouTube views, earned oodles of press from renowned publications, led to Tank being interviewed on TV programs all around the world and eventually found the experienced rapper co-creating and hosting a Kidoodle.TV series called StoryRaps. Now less than two years removed from those first viral videos, Tank has found success as a children's entertainer and has even been able to perform his youth-oriented material in front of live audiences.

Shortly after his recent sets at Summerfest and a homecoming show in his native Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Tank spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the unexpected artistic pivot his music took in early 2020, the amazing response to his videos, and everything that came before last year's breakout. Over the course of the conversation, the pair revisited past collaborations as office neighbors before Tank talked about discovering rap in a small Wisconsin town, formative projects he'd put on display in Milwaukee basements while in college, making music videos with Busdriver and Serengeti, recording and touring as WC Tank, the enduring creativity of Stumblesome, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Stumblesome ("Adultified").

135 – Paúl Rivera (La Armada) Sep 24, 2021

Over the course of band's more than 20-year existence, La Armada has frequently toured throughout North America and Europe, shared the stage with legendary groups like Propagandhi and Sick of It All, built a passionate fan base composed of listeners from all around the world, released some powerful and altogether awesome material, and helped shine a light on some of the social injustices many people face. Even more impressive than what the veteran band has accomplished is what they gave up in order to make its two-decade run possible. Before earning a reputation as one of Chicago's (and the Midwest's) premier hardcore outfits, La Armada's members were living in the Dominican Republic, where they were setting up punk shows (in a nation enamored by merengue music) and preparing to move to the U.S. in order to take their artistic ambitions to the next level.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to La Armada guitarist and founding member Paúl Rivera about his band's lengthy tenure, their new EP that's preceding what looks to be a busy 2022, highlights from his life on stage, and what he still hopes to do before his days as a musician are through. Of course, the conversation also turned to Rivera's musical origin story, which found him growing up in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, discovering punk rock as a kid, buying "a shitty guitar" and forming a band in his teens, and booking some of his favorite bands (Belvedere, Death By Stereo and Strung Out) to play in "The D.R." Rivera also talked about the band immigrating to the U.S. and struggling to settle into their new county before eventually finding their footing in the Chicago music scene.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and La Armada ("Death On Replay").

134 – Alex Stoitsiadis (Dogleg) Sep 17, 2021

This week's guest is Alex Stoitsiadis from Dogleg. The Detroit-based band has earned oodles of listener attention and critical acclaim with the release of Melee, their debut album that had the unfortunate distinction of coming out the same day the world essentially shut down. After 18-plus months of pandemic-related inaction, Dogleg is finally ready to get out there to play in belated support of that outstanding record.

A few days after turning heads at the Pitchfork Music Festival and a few days prior to setting out on a lengthy U.S. fall tour (including a Sept. 24 stop at X-Ray Arcade!), Stoitsiadis spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the long road to the breakout record's release, the surprising response the album received and some exciting things that are on the horizon for Dogleg now that they can actually play live again. Of course, the conversation also turned to Stoitsiadis' musical past, including the role video games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero had on his musical exposure, meeting his future bandmates at a School of Rock camp, drumming in a duo called Sleeping Pilots in high school, and his decision to start a solo endeavor the world now knows as Dogleg. Along the way, Stoitsiadis and Maas also talked about their shared love of the band Bear vs. Shark.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Dogleg ("Modern Language").

133 – Adam Fletcher (The Copyrights) Sep 10, 2021

This week's guest is Adam Fletcher from The Copyrights. In the nearly 20 years he's been the singer and bassist of the Carbondale, Illinois-based band, Fletcher has toured all over the U.S. and Europe, shared the stage with some of punk rock's biggest names, and put out six albums (in addition to a number of other EPs and splits). Following a seven-year gap between records, The Copyrights will release their long-awaited new album, Alone in a Dome, on Fat Wreck Chords in October. With an outstanding new full-length on the way and the band going back on the road soon, Fletcher has a lot to discuss in terms of new developments.

Recently, he did just that when he chatted with My First Band host Tyler Maas. Along the way, Fletcher also talked about his musical start in bands like Moloko Plus and The Last Laugh, formative experiences in the basement show and house show scene, notable moments from his present project's impressive two-decade run, and some things he'd like to do with The Copyrights before it's all over.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Copyrights ("Halos").

132 – Lillie Mae (Lillie Mae, The Risches, Jypsi) Sep 03, 2021

When we say Lillie Mae has been playing music for most of her life, we mean it! The singer, multi-instrumentalist and all-around musical force has been performing since she was just 3 years old. Since traveling the country as a child to play concerts pretty much anywhere she could with her family band, Lillie has cracked the charts with a group she was in with her siblings, shared the stage with the likes of Jack White and Robert Plant, and wowed listeners all over the world with music she releases under her own name.

Recently, Lillie Mae was kind enough to chat with My First Band host Tyler Maas backstage before her set at Blue Ox Music Festival. There, she talked about getting back on the road, her appreciation for her unconventional arts-based upbringing, getting a crash course in the ins and outs of the music industry at an early age, and how session work helped open doors to the next stage of her career. Along the way, she also spoke about initially turning down an opportunity to record her first album with Third Man Records, the time Merle Haggard played her fiddle, the role her family continues to play in her music to this day, and what she's working on now.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Lillie Mae ("You've Got Other Girls For That").

131 – Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, The Baseball Project) Aug 27, 2021

Over the course of his extensive and impressive career, Steve Wynn has released more than 30 albums that are spread between his numerous projects. Along the way, he's performed to audiences of all sizes all over the world, toured with the likes of U2 and R.E.M., composed scores for television and film, and spent time on a major record label. He's seen all sides of the music industry in his decades on stage, and he wouldn't change a thing. Before he was releasing influential and timeless albums with The Dream Syndicate, having a successful solo career, and writing super-specific sports songs with The Baseball Project, Wynn was a kid — like, an actual child! — playing in short-lived adolescent outfits like The Light Bulbs and Sudden Death Overtime.

With more than 50 years of musical experience to his credit, Wynn has a ton of amazing stories to tell. Thankfully, he was willing to share some of them with My First Band host Tyler Maas prior to setting out on a U.S. tour next month. During their discussion, Wynn talked about his upcoming run of intimate solo shows (including one at URSA in Milwaukee on Saturday, Sept. 11) and his excitement to perform live again after a pandemic-prompted pause. Of course, the conversation eventually turned to Wynn's Los Angeles upbringing among other young artists, his formative creative years at UC Davis, the origin and immediate rise of The Dream Syndicate, The Baseball Project's upcoming album, highlights from his lengthy career, and his appreciation for every step along the way.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Dream Syndicate ("Tell Me When It's Over").

130 – Kevin Tully (Telethon) Aug 20, 2021

These days, Kevin Tully can be heard singing and playing guitar in Telethon, a Milwaukee/Chicago "hard pop" project that just released its fifth full-length. Before he was fronting the band responsible for Swim Out Past the Breakers — one of the best punk-adjacent releases of the year to this point — Tully was a curious kid in Delavan, Wisconsin, who was listening to CDs left behind by his older siblings and teaching himself to play a guitar he found under his sister's bed. Since that formative time, Tully has toured extensively, shared the stage with some notable punk and ska projects, and released dozens upon dozen of outstanding songs with some of his best friends.

Prior to today's release of Swim Out Past the Breakers and next weekend's belated release show at X-Ray Arcade, Tully talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of writing and recording the album in 2020, the story behind the record's rather familiar name, and how it feels to finally be playing shows again. Of course, his previous projects (most of which featured other current members of Telethon) came up too. Over the course of the conversation, Tully opened up about his high school folk-punk band, formative concerts in rural Wisconsin legion halls and church basements, the project he dabbled in while away at college in Minnesota, his path back to music while living in California, and the start of the band that eventually turned into Telethon.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Telethon ("Selfstarter A.E.").

129 – David McWane (Big D and the Kids Table) Aug 13, 2021

Over the course of the band's 25-year run, Big D and the Kids Table has released nine studio albums, traveled the globe and earned a place as one of the planet's premier ska-punk projects. As Big D's lead singer, one of its founders and its last remaining original member, David McWane has seen it all. In advance of the band's forthcoming record, Do Your Art (available for pre-order on Side One Dummy, out Oct. 22), McWane talked about the new album and all that came before it.

During the extensive conversation, McWane discussed some of Big D and the Kids Table's most significant moments, including numerous international tours and countless shows with some especially notable bands, and some of his early projects. Along the way, McWane talked about his years as drummer in bands like Twisted Reality and Spu, the start of Big D, his unlikely path to becoming a vocalist, and the importance of continuing to make art in a culture that seems to no longer value creation.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Big D And The Kids Table ("Too Much").

128 – John Wozniak (Marcy Playground) Aug 06, 2021

John Wozniak is the singer, guitarist and primary songwriter of Marcy Playground. Odds are you know him as the voice behind "Sex And Candy," the larger-than-life hit that topped the charts for much of the late '90s and earned his band a Platinum Record and worldwide acclaim in the process. Before he was writing songs the whole world would sing, Wozniak was a kid in Minneapolis who was learning the ins and out of the guitar and playing in a church band called Angels With Flaming Swords.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Wozniak about Marcy Playground's incredible 20-plus-year run, what he's working on now and everything that came beforehand. Over the course of the interview, Wozniak talked about growing up in Minnesota, the process of writing and recording his Zog Bogbean solo project, his formative and life-changing move to Olympia for college, the process of getting signed to a major label deal, and the even-more-unfathomable occurrence of having the biggest song in the world after getting dropped from that major label.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Marcy Playground ("Good Times").

127 – Emma Erdbrink (Doughboys Podcast, High & Mighty Podcast) Jul 30, 2021

This week's episode breaks format a little, as we shift the focus from music to the field of audio engineering and production with Emma Erdbrink. Though the profession is oft-overlooked, Erdbrink has quickly made a name for herself as the engineer and producer of such popular podcasts as Doughboys, High & Mighty and Marketplace. Long before she was responsible for the sound quality and many other behind-the-scenes aspects of some of your favorite podcasts, Erdbrink was growing up in New England and balancing her aspirations for vocal performance with an organic interest in recording.

Recently, Erdbrink took some time away from putting together other people's podcasts to be a guest on ours. Over the course the fun and informative conversation, she told My First Band host Tyler Maas about her path to engineering, her college years and post-graduation internship, her decision to move across the country to pursue a career in audio production, and how a mixture of talent and random circumstance resulted in some amazing career opportunities. Along the way, Erdbrink also talked about the major pandemic-related adjustments her shows had to make last year, podcasting pet peeves and advice, what music she's listening to now, her plans to make a documentary about her brother, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Hannah Juanita ("Our Love Is Done").

126 – Fred Mascherino (The Color Fred, Taking Back Sunday, Breaking Pangaea) Jul 23, 2021

As both the bandleader and namesake of The Color Fred, singer-guitarist Fred Mascherino has released some great music and found a following with his well-received YouTube page. Though he is working on another The Color Fred album and aspires to release a new single every month of 2021, Mascherino is thankfully also willing and able to look back fondly at his previous projects. That extensive and impressive musical past includes a lengthy tenure in Brody, a handful of years fronting accomplished emo outfit Breaking Pangaea and an unforgettable stint with Taking Back Sunday.

Recently, Mascherino spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about The Color Fred's modern-day plans and his years in each of those aforementioned outfits. Over the course of the conversation, Mascherino talked about growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, immersing himself in learning the guitar and playing bar shows all around the East Coast in high school as a member of Stickman. He also talked about his time with Brody and Breaking Pangaea, the process of joining and subsequently writing songs with Taking Back Sunday, his decision to leave TBS, his solo turn and experiences playing with Terrible Things and The Lemonheads.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Color Fred ("Attention").

125 – Robert Finley Jul 16, 2021

Robert Finley says he's gone from the cotton field to the Beverly Hills. At the age of 67, the veteran musician is finally earning some long-overdue attention on account of Sharecropper's Son, his new record that beautifully chronicles his childhood in the fields of rural Louisiana, the semi-recent loss of his eyesight, his unflappable faith and various other aspects of his incredible life. The autobiographical album, which was produced by Dan Auerbach, of the Black Keys, has received oodles of critical acclaim en route to landing Finley on the cover of Spin and on stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre alongside Blues Traveler earlier this month. Though he's in a great place at the moment, it wasn't always easy for him. Not even close.

Recently, Finley spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his newfound success and the long, arduous and unlikely road that brought him to this prominent point. Over the course of about an hour, the singer spoke about growing up as the actual son of a sharecropper, his years as a builder, his path back to music when life threw him some curveballs and the opportunities that were born out of especially challenging circumstances.

Finley did most of the talking in this one, but we wouldn't want it any other way. Get ready for some amazing stories about Finley's adolescence in the 1950s and '60s, the memorable walk to buy his first guitar, being discovered and appearing on America's Got Talent, and the process of making an album that both entertains listeners and serves as an insight into his personal history.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Robert Finley ("Sharecropper's Son").

124 – Kurt Baker (Kurt Baker Combo, Kurt Baker Band, The Leftovers) Jul 09, 2021

If you're a fan of the power-pop genre, you're almost certainly also a fan of Kurt Baker. Over the past dozen years, the singer and songwriter has released a bunch of great records under his own name (and using the "Kurt Baker Combo" and "Kurt Baker Band" project names as well). He has also toured regularly, earned a spot on Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records label and relocated from Portland, Maine, to Madrid, Spain. As impressive as his solo career has been, it's only the tip of the iceberg.

Recently, Baker spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about living in Spain for the past eight years, the process of making his latest album (After Party — out now!) and his performance plans after an isolated year-plus. Of course, the conversation also turned to Baker's musical past, including his early bands in Maine, playing and promoting shows at a formative local all-ages venue called The Well, and really going for it in his teens and early 20s with his band The Leftovers. Along the way, the power-popper talked about his first European tour, playing with The Queers and Tommy Stinson, and the time his band blew three amps just minutes before opening for The Offspring.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Kurt Baker ("I Like Her A Lot").

123 – Alex Dalnodar (Dig Deep, Wrath of the Girth, The Ditchrunners) Jul 02, 2021

As the singer and guitarist of Dig Deep, Alex Dalnodar has played hundreds of shows in all corners of the Midwest (and beyond) and has seen his blistering bluegrass band become a Central Wisconsin music mainstay. Following an uncharacteristically quiet 2020, Dig Deep is hitting the road hard this year with dozens of performances booked all over the Badger State.

With a busy year ahead, Dalnodar had a lot to say about his band's plans when he spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas recently. Over the course of the discussion, Dalnodar talked about Dig Deep's active summer — with oodles of bar shows and appearances at festivals like Two Rivers Snowfest and Blue Ox — and some of his favorite parts of the band's seven years (and counting) together. The interview also focused on Dalnodar's previous projects, including a lengthy stint in a metal band called Wrath of the Girth and a few years playing "Gutter Grass" with The Ditchrunners. Along the way, Dalnodar talked about the formative role seeing .357 String Band had in changing his musical trajectory and the value he sees in playing concerts in small towns.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Blue Ox Music Festival. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Dig Deep ("Heavy Heart").

122 – Ray Carlisle (Teenage Bottlerocket, Homeless Wonders) Jun 25, 2021

As the singer, guitarist and founding member of Teenage Bottlerocket, Ray Carlisle has performed all over the world, shared the stage with some of punk's most legendary acts and been an ever-present part of his own band becoming a modern punk rock mainstay over the course of its two-decade run. After more than a year away, Teenage Bottlerocket is back on the road again, and they're making national news in the process. The band is headlining a show in Florida this weekend that has a "No-Vax Tax" cover charge of $999 for people not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Prior to that show, Carlisle spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the stir the unconventional concert has caused, the process of writing and recording Teenage Bottlerocket's forthcoming album (Sick Sesh!, out on Fat Wreck Chords on Aug. 27), and memorable moments from the band's 20-plus years of existence. Of course, Carlisle also spoke about his pre-Bottlerocket projects, including an elementary school group called Carlisle Crew, a short-lived metal band called Vehicular Homicide and an accomplished high-school-age punk project called Homeless Wonders. Along the way, Carlisle also talked about some of the goals he hopes to achieve before he's done playing music. The ball is in your court, Green Day!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Teenage Bottlerocket ("Ghost Story").

121 – John R. Miller (Prison Book Club, The Fox Hunt) Jun 18, 2021

If you're a fan of country or bluegrass music, there's a chance you've seen John R. Miller perform without even realizing it. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has spent most of his adult life as a touring musician, both in his own bands and as the touring bassist or guitarist in other projects. After years spent supporting the artistic efforts of others as a hired hand, Miller is ready to make a name for himself. On July 16, Miller was release Depreciated, his wonderful full-length debut on Rounder Records that's already earning high praise from respected music resources.

Prior to the record's release and his return to the road, Miller spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about making Depreciated, staying productive and positive in a year without touring, and all the projects that preceded his solo turn. Over the course of the conversation, Miller talked about his punk past in a small West Virginia town, his brief-yet-artistically significant stint in college, busking all around the East Coast during his 20s, his time in bands like The Fox Hunt and Prison Book Club, and the ups and downs of spending years on the road.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and John R. Miller ("Coming Down").

120 – Kyle Shelstad (Barbaro, Kitchen Dwellers) Jun 11, 2021

As a vocalist and guitarist in Barbaro, Kyle Shelstad has toured all over the country, played some massive festivals, shared the stage with lots of notable bands and had his music heard by millions upon millions of listeners all over the world. Long before he started the up-and-coming Minneapolis bluegrass outfit, Shelstad was growing up in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and learning the ins and outs of songwriting.

Recently, while spending some time in Milwaukee between tours, Shelstad spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about Barbaro getting back on the road after more than a year away, the band's forthcoming Under The Covers EP and upcoming appearances at Bonfire Music and Arts Festival and Blue Ox Music Festival. Of course, the conversation also focused on Shelstad's musical past, including the early interest he took in bluegrass while living in the sleepy Milwaukee-area town, high school cover projects, moving to Montana for college and joining Kitchen Dwellers, and moving to Minneapolis and throwing himself into Barbaro after a brief experience with the soul-crushing 9-to-5 grind. Along the way, they talked about Shelstad's favorite experiences from his years on stage, Cher, horse racing and Cedarburg's famed quilting museum.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Blue Ox Music Festival. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Barbaro ("Barbaro").

119 – Caley Conway Jun 04, 2021

These days, Caley Conway is fresh off the release of her excellent new EP (Bliss Or Bust), is gearing up to play out again and is also contributing her talents to other accomplished projects like Field Report and OQ. Long before she was putting her stamp on Milwaukee music and hitting her stride as singer-songwriter, Conway was performing at regional and national Irish dance competitions, starting a fake band called The Angels and earning the best money of her career (so far) by singing on a Cool Whip radio commercial.

Conway recently dropped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas about how the pandemic changed her creative approach, her June 4 show as part of Dandy's "Somewhat Unplugged" series and her early artistic attempts. Along the way, she opened up about getting serious about music during her abbreviated time in college, getting a creative nudge while farming in Maui, her stints in Myles Coyne's "Rusty Nickel" band and Cairns, the decision to release music under her own name, and goals she has in the near future and in the long-term.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Caley Conway ("I Love You So Much I Don’t Want To See You").

118 – Shane Hochstetler (Call Me Lightning, Howl Street Recordings, Hero of a Hundred Fights) May 28, 2021

These days, listeners probably know Shane Hochstetler as the owner, operator and recording engineer at Howl Street Recordings. In addition to recording hundreds of projects from all corners of the Midwest (and beyond!) at his long-running and highly respected studio, Hochstetler is also one of Milwaukee's favorite percussionists. Through the years, he's drummed in renowned bands like Call Me Lightning, Hero of a Hundred Fights, Managra, Zebras, Haymarket Riot, Bad Grades and more. Before that, however, he was a kid living in Rhinelander who was performing at northern Wisconsin bars with his uncle's country band.

Recently, Hochstetler invited My First Band host Tyler Maas to Howl Street Recordings to talk about his lengthy tenure behind a drum kit, his turn to recording and where his career in music all started. Over the course of the conversation, Shane talked about challenges the COVID-19 crisis brought to the recording industry, being on tour with Child Bite when the pandemic made its presence known in the U.S., his country cover band origins and all the memorable moments from his various projects over the course of his 30-year musical run. Along the way, Hochstetler also discussed standout shows (both good and bad), each of Call Me Lightning's outstanding albums, and a new band he's working on called Shit's Fucked.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery, and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Bad Grades ("Whatja Doo").

117 – Nate Sipe (Pert Near Sandstone) May 21, 2021

As a longtime member of Pert Near Sandstone, Nate Sipe has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, shared the stage with some well-known acts, watched the project become one of the Midwest's most celebrated bluegrass bands, and — along with his bandmates — been instrumental in the growth and curation of Blue Ox Music Festival. Long before he was a vocalist/multi-instrumentalist for the established Minneapolis outfit and thoroughly involved in the development of a massive fest, Sipe was playing grunge in suburban basements, taking a liking to folk and learning to play a mandolin as he searched for people who shared his musical interests.

As he prepares for Pert Near Sandstone's Road to Blue Ox Tour, Sipe found some time to speak to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the upcoming run of shows, what to expect at this year's Blue Ox installment (Aug. 19 to 21 in Eau Claire!) and how his band got connected to the festival. Along the way, Sipe also talked about his own musical history that includes taking guitar lessons, a so-called "revelation" he had in the form of a folk anthology he bought from Best Buy, playing music with strangers while he hitchhiked and hopped trains in his 20s, and some of his favorite experiences he's had with Pert Near Sandstone through the years.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery, and Blue Ox Music Festival. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Pert Near Sandstone ("Peace Of Mind").

116 – Dr. Frank (The Mr. T Experience) May 14, 2021

Frank Portman is better-known to listeners as "Dr. Frank," the musical moniker the singer, guitarist and founding member of The Mr. T Experience has used for close to four decades. Over the course of the seminal Berkeley punk project's long and accomplished run, the band has managed more than a dozen releases, performed all over the U.S. and Europe, and shared the stage with some legendary acts. Even though there have been lengthy breaks and lineup changes through the years, The Mr. T Experience and its ever-present leader are still releasing music, playing shows to packed rooms (in pre-pandemic times, at least) and influencing new generations of musicians along the way.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Frank about The Mr. T Experience's impressive over-35-year run, some of the ups and downs the project has experienced through the years, and all his pre-MTX musical endeavors. Over the course of the conversation, Portman talked about the process of collecting "disparate" and hard-to-find Mr. T Experience songs for the third/final volume of its Shards series of releases (pre-order from Sounds Rad now!), the role college radio played in developing his musical taste as a kid, his stint in The Bent Nails in high school, and MTX's opportunity to open for Green Day on a European arena tour (during which audience members threw sandwiches at him). Before the interview's end, Dr. Frank also talked about his career as a novelist, where he feels The Mr. T Experience fits in the punk rock pantheon and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Mr. T Experience ("You Alone").

115 – Dan Wolff (Dead Horses, Offend Your Friends) May 07, 2021

As a member of Dead Horses, Dan Wolff has performed relentlessly, opened for legendary bands like The Who, toured all over the country with renowned bands like Trampled By Turtles and Mandolin Orange, played at legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater and Alpine Valley, and (along with longtime bandmate Sarah Vos) has earned a reputation as one of Wisconsin's — if not the Midwest's — most accomplished Americana acts. Before he was making a living exclusively as a musician, Wolff was getting in trouble for playing Bloodhound Gang and NOFX covers in high school and killing time in his college years with decidedly less ambitious musical endeavors like Cocktooter.

Recently, Wolff joined host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters (thanks, vaccines!) for the first in-person My First Band recording in more than a year. After the requisite conversation about how weird it was to be in the same room and how excited they both are for the safe return of live music in some capacity, Wolff talked about abruptly ending a tour last March, spending the past year-plus learning how to record, the mixed returns from the handful of socially distant shows Dead Horses tried last summer and reforming an old band (Offend Your Friends) over Zoom. Of course, the discussion also turned to Wolff's musical past, including invaluable music lessons in the small Wisconsin town of Berlin, bawdy bands in his teens, the musical opportunities Oshkosh afforded him, the start of Dead Horses, the band's eventual move to Milwaukee and some of his most memorable on-stage and in-studio moments in the years since.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Dead Horses ("All I Ever Wanted") and NINETEEN90S ("Zombie Apology").

114 – William Goldsmith (Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate, Assertion) Apr 30, 2021

Whether you know William Goldsmith as a founding member of Sunny Day Real Estate, as the original drummer of Foo Fighters or from his time in the short-lived-but-outstanding band The Fire Theft, you're absolutely aware of his work. Following his tenures in those world-renowned projects, the accomplished percussionist — citing "musical PTSD" (and actual PTSD) — recently ended his decade-long hiatus from playing music to get back behind the kit with Assertion.

A few weeks removed from the release of his new band's debut album on Spartan Records, Goldsmith spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his decision to return to drumming, the response the new record has been getting and his renewed musical motivation. Of course, the conversation also turned to his past work. Over the course of the conversation, Goldsmith talked about growing up in Seattle and quickly taking to the drums, early on-stage experiences in middle school and high school bands, meeting Jeremy Enigk and playing together in a hardcore band called Reason For Hate, the project that eventually turned into Sunny Day, being invited to jam with Dave Grohl, memorable anecdotes from his time in Foo Fighters, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Assertion ("Set Fire").

113 – James Bowman (Against Me!, The $cam$) Apr 23, 2021

As the guitarist of Against Me!, James Bowman has spent the last 20 years performing all over the planet, sharing stages with some of music's most iconic acts and releasing albums that have earned both critical acclaim and commercial success. Before he was an integral part of one of modern punk rock's most celebrated bands, Bowman was a teenager playing in punk and hardcore bands in St. Petersburg, Florida, and working as a tire technician with no idea he'd eventually be performing in arenas and soccer stadiums.

Recently, Bowman spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his two decades worth of experiences in Against Me! and everything that came before. Over the course of the conversation, the guitarist spoke about striking up a friendship with Laura Jane Grace in high school, moving to St. Pete as a teenager and quickly latching onto the city's music scene, his stints in bands like Shot Heard Round the World and The $cam$, the unexpected circumstances that found him joining Grace in Against Me!, the band fibbing its way into a Fat Wreck Chords deal, and being signed (then unceremoniously dropped) by a major label. Along the way, Bowman talked about his love of the Tampa Bay Rays, opened up about throwing the first pitch before a game and discussed his new Bowman Audio Endeavors guitar pedal company.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Against Me! ("Delicate, Petite & Other Things I'll Never Be").

112 – Koo Koo Kanga Roo (Bryan Atchison, Neil Olstad) Apr 16, 2021

Over the last 12 years and counting, Bryan Atchison and Neil Olstad have entertained audiences of all ages with the goofy, wholesome and undeniably fun music they make as Koo Koo Kanga Roo. Since its unassuming start as a project initially intended for a college talent show, the duo has performed at venues of all sizes and scope all around the world, spent a summer on the Warped Tour, shared the stage with acts like Frank Turner and The Aquabats, and made videos that have been viewed millions upon millions of times. Before they were a favorite among educators, children and anyone looking for catchy anthems about anything from pizza to fanny packs to Panera Bread, Atchison and Olstad were in a music fraternity and playing together in a folk-rock band.

Recently, the Koo Koo Kanga Roo guys spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the project's origin, its unexpected rise in popularity and the importance of maintaining an independent approach to releasing their music. Over the course of the upbeat hour-long discussion, Atchison and Olstad talked about working with Lazerbeak on their forthcoming album (Slow Clap, out May 21!), the ways remote learning has changed how they reach people, the process of releasing a record with Mike Park on Asian Man Records, and many of the notable experiences they've had along the way. Of course, the conversation also touched on Neil's punk rock past in Hometown Zeros, Bryan's sordid show choir history, their years as college roommates and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Koo Koo Kanga Roo ("Ice Cold Lemonade").

111 – Paul Collins (Paul Collins' Beat, The Nerves, The Breakaways) Apr 09, 2021

Over the course of his nearly half-century career, Paul Collins has experienced some dizzying highs, crushing lows and almost everything in between. The "King Of Power Pop" was chewed up and spit out by the music industry in the '80s, only to resurface in the early 2000s with a newfound DIY approach, renewed energy and new listeners who were eager to hear material that never really had an audience the first time around. With his Julliard training, a major label past and thousands upon thousands of shows under his belt from his decades on stage, you can be sure Collins has no shortage of amazing stories to share.

Recently, Collins spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his extensive and altogether impressive history as an artist, his musical origin in a New York basement, his time in The Nerves and The Breakaways, The Beat's unexpected rise to notoriety, his "fallow" years away from music, the path back to performing, and the appreciation he has for his ongoing second act. Along the way, Collins read an excerpt from his new book, talked about his strong connection to the Milwaukee/Wisconsin music scene, discussed his appearance in the music video for a song Midnight Reruns wrote about him and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Paul Collins ("Another World").

110 – Mikey Erg (The Ergs!, Worriers, The LLC) Apr 02, 2021

Mikey Erg has been in A LOT of bands. Frankly, it might be easier to list projects he hasn't been involved with, but listeners likely know the hardworking drummer, guitarist and vocalist from his stints in iconic punk bands like The Ergs!, Worriers, Star Fucking Hipsters, The Dopamines, Dirt Bike Annie and from his extensive and impressive body of work as a solo artist. A few weeks removed from the release of his outstanding self-titled solo record, Mikey spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about each of those artistic endeavors and numerous other bands he was part of over the course of his roughly three decades of on-stage experience.

Over the course of the lengthy discussion, the accomplished punk purveyor talked about growing up in a small New Jersey town, formative all-ages shows and independent record stores that fostered his taste in music, high school projects, and the start of The Ergs! (and the band's unexpected rise to pop-punk prominence). Along the way, Erg talked about his solo turn, joining up with bands like Worriers and Off With Their Heads, and some amazing behind-the-scenes experience he had as a member of The LLC — the backing band for The Chris Gethard Show — during the public access program-turned-basic cable darling's memorable run. And, of course, Erg and Maas talked about their mutual love of Norm Macdonald's classic 1998 film Dirty Work.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Mikey Erg ("Can't Be Too Careless").

109 – Hailey Whitters Mar 26, 2021

Hailey Whitters isn't just an accomplished songwriter who has crafted songs that were recorded by country stars like Alan Jackson ("The Older I Get"), Martina McBride ("The Real Thing") and Little Big Town ("Happy People"), she's also one heck of a musician in her own right. The up-and-coming artist turned heads last year with The Dream, her acclaimed album that struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. She followed it up last month with, Living the Dream, a deluxe album that features collaborations with Trisha Yearwood, Jordan Davis and Little Big Town.

Before she was releasing excellent albums and writing songs that landed on the charts, Whitters was living in the small Iowa town of Shueyville and performing at sports bars, a Chinese restaurant and anywhere else she was allowed to play. Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Whitters about her breakout album, this year's deluxe release, the ins and outs of professional songwriting and significant moments from her accomplished career. Over the course of the conversation, Whitters talked about a life-changing trip to Nashville as a teen, early struggles and successes, and how she came dangerously close to moving back to Iowa before putting everything she had into recording The Dream.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Hailey Whitters ("The Ride").

108 – Devon Kay (Direct Hit!, Devon Kay &The Solutions) Mar 19, 2021

If you're a fan of punk, ska or any sub-genre in between, you probably know Devon Kay as a member of Direct Hit! and/or the namesake of Devon Kay & The Solutions. Over the past 10 years, the motivated musician's two bands have released a steady diet of impressive albums, toured the world and shared the stage with the likes of NOFX, Blink-182 and Anti-Flag. Long before he was fronting a ska-punk outfit and playing guitar in a band on the Fat Wreck Chords roster, Kay was a kid in West Chester, Pennsylvania, who was performing at coffee shops and church basements as a member of a group called The Mighty Clams.

Recently, Kay spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his productive past few months, during which The Solutions released a full-length on A-F Records and remotely recorded enough material for another album (which he's planning to release in single-song increments every month of 2021). Of course, the conversation also turned to Kay's musical history, including his life-changing discovery of Less Than Jake, early experiences with The Mighty Clams, starting bands like Kay's Place and an emo project that shall not be named after his move to Illinois in high school, the formation of The Solutions, the unorthodox way he wound up in Direct Hit!, and some of the amazing experiences and opportunities music has afforded him. Along the way, Kay also talked about his Twitch channel, collaborating with Chris DeMakes on a LTJ cover and being a Packers fan in Chicago.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Devon Kay & The Solutions ("Parchment & Petroleum").

107 – Dave Arcari Mar 12, 2021

This week's episode finds us crossing the pond — over video chat, at least — to speak with Dave Arcari. Over the course of his roughly 20-year solo career, the Scottish "alt-blues" singer and slide guitarist has released six full-length albums and a slew of EPs, frequently toured throughout Europe and all across the United States, helped bring the resonator's sound to exciting new territory, started a record label and even had a National Reso-Phonic signature model guitar made in his honor. Long before he was winning fans all over the world and helping to expose a new generation of listeners to the resonator, the accomplished musician was busking on the streets of Glosgow and developing his distinct sound while splitting time with blues bands.

Recently, Acari talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about how he's been keeping busy and staying solvent during an uncharacteristically quiet point in time for him. In addition to discussing his livestream concerts and 2020 EP, the singer-songwriter talked about Scotland's rich musical background, some of his favorite spots to play in the States and how his rare opportunity with Reso-Phonic came to be. Of course, the conversation also turned to his musical start, which includes performances outside markets, covers of Bob Dylan and David Bowie, and memorable stints with groups like Summerfield Blues and Radiotones.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Dave Arcari ("Stick To Your Guns").

106 – Sam Porter (Kali Masi) Mar 05, 2021

As the singer and guitarist of Kali Masi, Sam Porter has performed all around the United States, toured Europe, played Riot Fest and other festivals of note, shared the stage with the likes of The Lawrence Arms and Titus Andronicus, and released one doozy of a debut album (2017's Wind Instrument). Years before he was fronting the accomplished Chicago punk quartet, Porter was a kid in McHenry, Illinois, who was honing his musical taste by listening to records he got from the library, oft-misidentified songs he pirated from LimeWire and the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater soundtrack.

Back in January, Porter spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about Kali Masi's excellent forthcoming album — [laughs], out March 26 via Take This to Heart Records — and the thorough recording process with engineer Jay Maas (no relation!) that helped bring the record into being. Following the now-requisite discussion about the pandemic and plans for the future when the world safely opens up again, Porter talked about making up a fake band in middle school called Last In Line, joining the real band known as The Blue Waves in high school and winning a contest to record at Gravity Studios in Chicago. Over the course of the hour-plus conversation, he also mentioned taking the train a total of seven hours every Sunday in order to practice with the Blue Waves after he moved to a new city, eventually starting a band called The Howl and the process of The Howl turning into Kali Masi.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Kali Masi ("Guilt Like A Gun").

105 – Tom May (The Menzingers) Feb 26, 2021

This week's guest is Tom May, who you might know as a guitarist and vocalist from The Menzingers. Since the band's start in Scranton, Pennsylvania, more than 15 years ago, the punk-rock powerhouse has released a flurry of well-received EPs and studio albums (including last year's self-recorded From Exile), shared the stage with some massive acts, earned a spot on the Epitaph roster and performed to passionate fans all around the world. Before May was a founding member of The Menzingers, he was honing his skills as a member of lesser-known Scranton bands like Decadence Decay and Bob and The Sagets.

Recently, May spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his early artistic efforts, formative shows from adolescence, the circumstances behind the start of The Menzingers and why he feels the band has remained intact for close to two decades. Over the course of the hour-plus discussion, May also talked about canceling The Menzingers' Australian tour last March to return to the U.S., the process of recording last year's deconstructed complement to 2019's Hello Exile, his Future Friday podcast, unforgettable opportunities music has given him and things he'd still like to accomplish before his playing days are through.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Menzingers ("Strawberry Mansion").

104 – Davey von Bohlen (The Promise Ring, Cap'n Jazz, Maritime) Feb 19, 2021

This week's guest is Davey von Bohlen, who you might know from influential Midwest emo acts like The Promise Ring and Cap'n Jazz or from his work in Maritime. Long before he was helping to usher in a genre's second wave and putting Milwaukee music back on the map with some timeless records, von Bohlen was learning how to play guitar and emptying basement shows out as a member of Ten Boy Summer.

Recently, the legendary frontman spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his early musical attempts, what he's up to now and pretty much everything that happened in between. Over the course of the TWO-HOUR conversation, Davey opened up about joining Cap'n Jazz, reluctantly coming on as The Promise Ring's singer, that band's unexpected popularity, the path to starting Maritime (and where he feels the band is at this point in time), and jamming in a project called Vermont. Along the way, von Bohlen talked about his basketball coaching aspirations, performing on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, earning a Platinum record for singing on a Jimmy Eat World album and all the ups and downs from his 30-plus years on stage.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering, Lakefront Brewery and Music Go Round Greenfield. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Maritime ("Roaming Empire").

103 – Duncan Sheik Feb 12, 2021

Duncan Sheik is probably best-known for "Barely Breathing," the hit single from his self-titled 1996 debut album that went Gold, spent more than a year on the charts and earned the singer-songwriter a Grammy nomination. Beyond writing one of the most recognizable songs of the 20th century, Sheik has subsequently released a wealth of tremendous albums with a continually changing and ever-evolving sound. Along the way, he expanded his artistic scope to a career in composing — winning a Grammy and two Tony Awards for his work on Broadway. But long before he was writing world-renowned songs and entertaining audiences in two different musical mediums, Sheik was a kid in South Carolina playing hair metal covers in a talent show.

Recently, Sheik spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about what he's working on now, his recently released Live at the Cafe Carlyle album and some especially notable moments from his long and accomplished career in music. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Sheik opened up about his adolescent rock band, formative years writing and recording himself while attending boarding school, playing in the Brown University orchestra pit (and later playing in a band) with Lisa Loeb, the ups and downs that came with sudden mainstream notoriety, defying industry expectations, his unlikely path to musical theater and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Duncan Sheik ("Memento").

102 – Elijah Wolf Feb 08, 2021

We're breaking our usual Friday release format this week to give you an extra special BONUS episode with Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Elijah Wolf. The up-and-coming purveyor of "psychedelic folk" is set to release Brighter Lighting — his sophomore album and studio debut under his own name — on Feb. 26. Weeks before its release, the album has already received well-deserved attention from some respected sources. Though it seems like there are big things in store for Wolf, the 27-year-old musician has actually amassed quite an impressive list of artistic accomplishments already.

Recently, Wolf spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about recording his forthcoming album with Sam Cohen, along with accompanying players who have direct ties to Wilco, Angel Olsen and Fleet Foxes. Of course, the conversation eventually turned to Wolf's musical past, which includes a memorable stint in a high school hardcore band that opened for The Misfits, an internship at the famed Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock, as well as a college folk project that earned him an opening slot on a nationwide theater tour and found his music being featured on a Subaru commercial. Before episode's end, Wolf also talked about playing shows in Europe, taking time to find his place in New York's music scene and his hopes for both this album and his career when he's able to tour again.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Elijah Wolf ("Brighter Lighting").

101 – Jen Razavi (The Bombpops) Feb 05, 2021

This week's guest is Jen Razavi. You might know her better as "Jen Pop," one of the singers, guitarists and founding members of The Bombpops. The Los Angeles-based band has earned notoriety in the punk rock realm and last year's sophomore album, Death In Venice Beach, has only bolstered their reputation. Before she was touring relentlessly and sharing the stage with some of punk’s premier projects, Razavi was a high school kid playing Pennywise covers in a band called Split Nation.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas got in touch with Razavi to talk about the latest Bombpops album, the record release show and nationwide tour the band had to cancel on account of the COVID-19 crisis, ways she's staying busy and creative in quarantine, and some of the amazing opportunities her band has given her through the years. Of course, they also discussed her musical origin story, including her years playing acoustic guitar as a kid, meaningful concerts in her adolescence, meeting her longtime friend and bandmate Poli van Dam and playing together in The Vodka Dolls, and the process of signing with Fat Wreck Chords.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Bombpops ("Notre Dame").

100 – Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie, Ladyfingers) Jan 29, 2021

My First Band has reached the century mark! We're celebrating the 100-episode milestone in grand fashion with the incomparable Adam Weiner, who you might know better as the singer, pianist and driving force behind Low Cut Connie. Over the course of the project's decade-long existence, Low Cut Connie has released six acclaimed albums, toured the world, earned high praise from legendary musicians like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, and has become a favorite of two United States Presidents. Weiner has been especially busy since last March, performing more than 70 "Tough Cookies" livestream shows to millions of viewers all over the world and releasing the latest Low Cut Connie album.

The day before he performed an official virtual event for the Biden-Harris inauguration, Weiner spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the rare honor he had to represent the new President's home state on the historic day, the band's recently released Private Lives and how a pandemic reinforced his belief in the powers of performance and the artist-audience connection. Of course, the hour-long interview also touched on Weiner's musical past, including his upbringing in New Jersey, attending art school in New York, memorable early shows and tumultuous tours during his days playing under the "Ladyfingers" moniker, and unforgettable experiences from the more than 10-year run (and counting) of Low Cut Connie.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Low Cut Connie ("Stay As Long As You Like").

99 – Scott H. Biram (The Dirty Old One Man Band) Jan 22, 2021

This week's guest is Scott H. Biram, but you might know him as "The Dirty Old One Man Band." Since releasing his solo debut in the year 2000, the tireless troubadour has played thousands upon thousands of shows at venues of all sizes and scope in North America, toured Europe more than 20 times, had songs featured on popular TV shows and Oscar-nominated films, and put out 11 albums. A couple months after he released Fever Dreams — his latest album, which came out on Bloodshot Records last November — Biram took some time out of his uncharacteristically quiet schedule to talk to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his 20-plus-year solo run and everything that came beforehand.

Over the course of an hour-long discussion, Biram talked about how he's keeping busy and staying productive during a pandemic, his upbringing in a fairly small Texas town, the inspiration artists like Doc Watson and Townes Van Zandt had on him early on, and his stints in adolescent and early adulthood outfits like The Happy Trees and The Thangs. Along the way, the accomplished singer-songwriter opened up about his decision to branch out on his own, what the "H" stands for (hint: it's not his middle name), getting signed to Bloodshot, the ups and downs of more than two decades spent on the road, performing on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, punching "The Devil" in the stomach in Atlanta, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Scott H. Biram ("Hobo Jungle").

98 – John Sparrow (Violent Femmes, The Danglers) Jan 15, 2021

John Sparrow is living every Milwaukee musician's dream. The percussionist has toured all around the world, performed at legendary venues like the Sydney Opera House and Red Rocks Amphitheater, shared the stage with some of music's biggest names, and has earned a spot as the drummer of the Violent Femmes. Long before he was keeping the beat for Wisconsin's most renowned rock band, Sparrow was cutting his teeth in polka combos, dabbling in jazz and drumming along to Violent Femmes records in his basement.

Recently, Sparrow spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about many of the amazing experiences he's had as a member of the Femmes, the unexpected circumstances that led to him landing a spot in the band and all the projects that came beforehand. Over the course of the discussion, Sparrow talked about his years in The Danglers, unknowingly auditioning to become Violent Femmes' cajón player, his eventual move to becoming the band's drummer, using a grill during his performance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and playing the first musical notes in Fiserv Forum history.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Violent Femmes ("Not OK").

97 – Lydia Luce Jan 08, 2021

Even though Lydia Luce first came to consciousness in folk and Americana circles with her excellent 2018 debut, Azelea, the Nashville-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been working hard to hone her craft for decades. The up-and-coming artist was immersed in music since infancy. Her professional conductor mother put a violin in her hands at an early age, and she spent much of her childhood playing in a string quartet with her brother.

As Luce prepares to release her long-awaited sophomore record, Dark River, on Feb. 26, the lifelong musician talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of writing and recording the highly-anticipated album. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Luce also spoke about getting through the pandemic, a tornado hitting her home in March, her extensive and rigorous musical education, early tours with projects that preceded her solo work, and the pride she takes in her Lockeland Strings community arts organization.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Lydia Luce ("Dark River").

96 – Charlie Berens (Manitowoc Minute, Berens & Greuel, The CripesCast) Jan 01, 2021

My First Band kicks off 2021 with Charlie Berens. The affable actor, writer, comedian and Emmy-winning host has made a name for himself throughout Wisconsin (and far beyond) with his "Manitowoc Minute" segments and other hilarious videos that are rooted in Midwest-themed humor. In addition to making content that has garnered millions of views, touring throughout Wisconsin and its neighboring states, starting a great new podcast called The CripesCast, and adapting his web-based material into a sidesplitting long-form theater show, Berens recently joined forces with Adam Greuel, of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, to release an album full of Wisconsin-centric bluegrass songs.

A few weeks after the release of Berens & Greuel's debut album, Unthawed, Berens spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the album and its unique blend of local love, earnest bluegrass and well-crafted comedy. Over the course of the discussion, Berens also talked about his early musical attempts in the small Wisconsin town of Elm Grove, the development of Manitowoc Minute, the careful balance of humor and social commentary he tries to strike in his material, the process of writing and recording Unthawed, and spending a week in the top spot on the Billboard bluegrass charts (unseating Sturgill Simpson in the process). Before episode's end, Berens also dipped into Manitowoc Minute mode long enough to give some bold predictions for this weekend's Packers-Bears game.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Berens & Greuel ("Supper Club Shuffle").

95 – Shawna Nicols (DJ Shawna) Dec 24, 2020

This week's guest — and the final My First Band guest of 2020 — is Shawna Nicols. Wisconsin sports fans probably know her better as "DJ Shawna," the moniker she uses while serving as the official in-game DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks as well as the Wisconsin Badgers football team. In recent years, the accomplished Milwaukee DJ and emcee has also worked the turntables and curated the musical accompaniment at the NCAA Women's Final Four, during University of Wisconsin men's basketball games, at Marquette women's basketball games, as a headliner at PrideFest Milwaukee, and as Lizzo's opener at last year's Summerfest. Oh yeah, she was also one of just four DJs invited to work in "The Bubble" when the NBA resumed its season/postseason in Orlando over the summer. Long before she was playing music during professional basketball games, Shawna was a pro basketball player herself.

Recently, a few days before the Bucks and Shawna were set to start another season, Shawna spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the work she puts into pairing music with specific players and in-game occurrences, the experience of living and working in The Bubble, and being one of the few people in attendance when Milwaukee made the historic decision to forego playing a playoff game in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Eventually, the conversation turned to Shawna's days as a Milwaukee basketball standout, a Badgers player and a professional baller in the Netherlands. Along the way, they talked about her unconventional path to becoming a professional DJ and how a mixture of tenacity and talent have opened exciting new doors for her in entertainment.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

94 – Bartees Strange Dec 18, 2020

Though 2020 has been a downright awful year with very few bright spots, the emergence of Bartees Strange has been one silver lining people can be happy about. The Washington DC-based singer and multi-instrumentalist first came to widespread consciousness this March with Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, an EP of songs by The National that he reinterpreted in spectacular fashion. In October, that inventive release was followed by Live Forever, his debut full-length that's earned him international attention and high standing on a bunch of year-end best albums lists.

Last week — minutes after learning his song "Boomer" was named the best song of 2020 by Spin Magazine — Strange spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his whirlwind year (that just so happens to be taking place during a worldwide pandemic) and what he's working on to follow-up his pair of lauded releases. Eventually, the conversation turned to the up-and-coming musician's upbringing in a Christian household with an opera singer mother, his discovery of hardcore music as a teen living in the Oklahoma city of Mustang, his years as a backing musician and touring guitarist in Brooklyn, what brought him back to DC, and the years of work and life lessons that went into creating Live Forever. Along the way, the pair talked about Hanson's underrated "Mmmhops" beer and their shared love of Appleton, Wisconsin.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Bartees Strange ("Mustang").

93 – Chris DeMakes (Less Than Jake) Dec 11, 2020

As a founding member of Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes has spent close to 30 years traveling the world to perform thousands of shows. Along the way, the singer and guitarist has shared stages of all sizes and scope with some of the world's most renowned artists, released top-notch music at an impressive clip, and amassed an astounding collection of experiences associated with his one and only (true) project. Before he was at the forefront of the seminal ska-punk band, DeMakes was learning to play music in Port Charlotte, Florida, and laying the groundwork for what would eventually turn into Less Than Jake.

In the days leading up to the release of Less Than Jake's brand new album, Silver Linings, DeMakes spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the new album, his just-released book, his excellent "Chris DeMakes A Podcast," and the Dec. 11 "Live With Less Than Jake" livestream event. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, DeMakes also talked about opening for Bon Jovi on an arena tour, playing with Snoop Dogg and Linkin Park, leaving major label deals in favor of independent imprints, and how Less Than Jake's work ethic and live show have played an important part in the band's longevity.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Less Than Jake ("Keep On Chasing").

92 – Joel King (The Wild Feathers, The Effects) Dec 04, 2020

During his 10 years (and counting!) as a member of The Wild Feathers, Joel King and his bandmates have released four well-received studio albums and a live record, played hundreds upon hundreds of concerts all around the country and toured with legendary musicians like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Bob Segar. Prior to his time with the accomplished Nashville-based Americana outfit, King — who plays bass and shares vocal duties in The Wild Feathers — was living in Oklahoma and working hard to make a living as the front man of a rock band called The Effects.

A few days before The Wild Feathers released its latest album, Medium Rarities, on Nov. 20, King spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the collection of B-sides, covers and unreleased material, as well as many of the standout moments from his decade in the band. Of course, the conversation eventually shifted to King's previous projects. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, he talked about making decent money and playing out often in high school bands like Rhythmic Overdose and The Denizens, touring avidly and even playing to American troops in the Middle East in The Effects, being courted by major labels after starting what would become The Wild Feathers, and what he hopes to do with the band once life returns to some semblance of normalcy.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Wild Feathers (cover of "Blue" by The Jayhawks).

91 – Zach Blair (Rise Against, GWAR, Drakulas) Nov 27, 2020

These days, Zach Blair can be heard playing lead guitar in the world-renowned punk outfit Rise Against as well as Drakulas, his excellent side project. Before he was part of those bands, the guitarist was sporting formal wear as a member of Hagfish, touring overseas with a punk supergroup called Only Crime and wearing 60 pounds of prosthetics to play the part of "Flattus Maximus" in GWAR. And prior to any of that, Blair was just a kid in Sherman, Texas, who was listening to his dad's record collection and learning to play guitar.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas got a chance to hear some amazing stories from Blair's 30-plus-years in music. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, they spoke about the guitarist's lengthy tenure in Hagfish with his brother Doni, the unexpected circumstances that led to him joining GWAR (and the tragedy that brought him back to the band for a short time), memorable stints in Armstrong and Only Crime, and how he wound up joining Rise Against. Along the way, Blair also talked about ways he's keeping busy during a rare span of time in which he's not touring, all the amazing experiences he's been able to have with Rise Against and Drakulas' great new record entitled Terminal Amusements.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Drakulas ("Dark Black").

WMSE Special Announcement Nov 25, 2020

This short episode is a special announcement about My First Band now being broadcast on Milwaukee's own WMSE!

90 – Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Trip Shakespeare) Nov 20, 2020

You probably know Dan Wilson as the lead singer of Semisonic, the seminal band that brought you "Closing Time." Though his output in that long-tenured alternative rock outfit is certainly remarkable in its own right, Wilson has made even more significant contributions to entertainment as a songwriter. Over the last 20 years, the songwriter and producer has worked with some of modern music's biggest names, including collaborations with Taylor Swift, John Legend, Pink, Halsey, Chris Stapleton and Jason Mraz. Most notably, he's also won two Grammys for songs he wrote with Adele — including mega-hit "Someone Like You" — and The Chicks. Long before he was crafting some of the world's most popular songs, Wilson was a Minnesota kid who was scoring a play at his high school.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas was able to speak with Wilson about his prolific co-writing résumé, the new Semisonic EP and his "Words + Music In 6 Seconds" inspirational cards. Eventually, the conversation turned to Wilson's extensive and impressive musical history. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, the Grammy-winner opened up about family singalongs on the beaches of North Carolina, beginning to play guitar, playing with his brother (former My First Band guest Matt Wilson) in Trip Shakespeare and other groups, nearly giving up on music prior to the start of Semisonic, what it's like to hear "Closing Time" out in public, and what he strives to bring to his collaborations with internationally beloved musicians. Along the way, he talked about the time Matt kicked him out of a band while he was taking a bath.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Semisonic ("You're Not Alone").

89 – William Bush (Immortal Girlfriend, Black Challenger) Nov 13, 2020

These days, listeners know William Bush for his work alongside his brother, Kevin, in Immortal Girlfriend and on his own in his new Black Challenger solo project. Years before William was making waves in electronic music circles both in Wisconsin and far beyond, he and his sibling were cutting their teeth in metro Milwaukee's once-burgeoning screamo scene.

A few weeks after putting out Black Challenger's debut album — the downright awesome Vigilance — and about six months after the release of Immortal Girlfriend's long-awaited sophomore EP, William talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about those two releases, playing legion hall shows with Kevin in anime-influenced bands like Starwind and Hawking and Ari Armada, starting Immortal Girlfriend, the duo's unexpected rise to local notoriety, and some of his favorite on-stage moments so far.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Immortal Girlfriend ("Phantasm"), and Black Challenger ("City Of Angels").

88 – Jon Snodgrass (Drag the River, Armchair Martian, Scorpios) Nov 06, 2020

Not even a pandemic can slow Jon Snodgrass down. In recent months, the long-tenured and accomplished punk troubadour recorded and released a new album on A-F Records, put out a children's record and continued his cross-continental collaboration with Frank Turner. Along the way, he's also written enough new material for yet another album. Though current conditions don't permit him to tour, Snodgrass continues to be a lighthearted and eternally optimistic musician who, fortunately, has decades worth of great stories to draw from his time on stage.

Last week, Snodgrass called My First Band host Tyler Maas to talk about Tace — his new album that features accompaniment from members of Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms, Bad Cop/Bad Cop and Lagwagon — and how he's keeping active during his downtime. Of course, the conversation eventually turned to his upbringing in Missouri, formative musical experiences as a teenager, his move to Fort Collins and the ups and downs from his time in seminal bands like Armchair Martian and Scorpios. Over the course of the discussion, Snodgrass also talked about his beloved Colorado Rockies, shared some of his favorite memories from his lengthy musical career and even performed some impromptu jingles for our sponsors.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Jon Snodgrass ("Bad New Lands").

87 – Kelsey Kaufmann (Cactus Club, Cougar Den, Body Work) Oct 30, 2020

Milwaukee music is incredibly lucky to have Kelsey Kaufmann. The owner of the Cactus Club has booked literally hundreds of shows, helped produce large-scale festivals, and was at the forefront of changing laws that prohibited all-ages shows at certain venues in Milwaukee. After managing the iconic Bay View club for a few years, further bolstering its already-sterling reputation, and bringing some impressive acts to town, Kaufmann bought the bar this February. Just over a month after officially taking over, the world turned on its head. Though times are unexpectedly tough for Cactus Club, Kaufmann and her staff are committed to keeping the business running and continuing to give interesting artists a platform.

Earlier this week, My First Band host Tyler Maas caught up with Kaufmann to ask her about some of the struggles venues around the country are facing in the midst of a pandemic, some of the interesting things she's doing to bring in revenue and keep Cactus Club active during this unprecedented time and some of the positive and affirming things that have happened during her time as the bar's owner. Of course, the conversation eventually shifted to her experiences as the drummer for past and current projects like Cougar Den, Centipedes, Gallery Night and Body Work. Along the way, Kaufmann also discussed booking tours for her bands as a teenager, falling in love with D.I.Y. culture, being stranded in rural Utah for a week when Cougar Den's van broke down and some of the favorite concerts she's ever brought to Milwaukee.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Body Work ("Now Forget").

86 – Trevor Smith (Wood & Wire) Oct 23, 2020

As the banjo player in Wood & Wire, Trevor Smith has traveled all around the county, shared the stage with some legendary acts, released four excellent albums (five, if you count their live record), played hundreds upon hundreds of concerts, and was even nominated for a Grammy. While the band's plans to hit the road for most of 2020 were dashed, Wood & Wire was still able to release a new album — the wonderful No Matter Where It Goes From Here — at the end of August, and are continuing to reach new listeners all around the world.

Long before Smith was plucking his heart out as a founding member of the accomplished Austin, Texas, bluegrass outfit, he was cutting his teeth and playing keyboard in hardcore bands in his native Arizona. With Wood & Wire not on the road for once, Smith had time to talk to My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of making Wood & Wire's latest record and how he's keeping busy at the moment before the conversation shifted focus to his musical past.

Over the course of the conversation, Smith talked about his formative years in the Tucson hardcore scene, discovering bluegrass in his teens, dropping out of high school (with the encouragement of his parents!) to move to Austin and join Green Mountain Grass, the year he spent in Asylum Street Spankers, and the experience of both being nominated for a Grammy and attending the awards ceremony in quite possibly the coolest suit ever. Oh, and apologies for the background noise on Tyler's end of the conversation.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Wood & Wire ("Home & The Banjo").

85 – David Quinn Oct 16, 2020

David Quinn is quickly making a name for himself in country music circles with a relentless show schedule (at least until recently, of course) and ever-evolving material. The Chicago-based singer's catalog will grow by 10 more songs on Oct. 23 with the release of his latest and greatest album, Letting Go. Long before Quinn was building a reputation as the front man and namesake of a country project though, he was playing drums in a suburban Chicago rock band called Best Defense.

This week, in the days leading up to the release of Letting Go, My First Band host Tyler Maas got in touch with Quinn to talk about the process of recording the forthcoming album, getting an impressive cast of backing musicians to lend their talents to the record, and ways he's keeping busy in a year that's left him unable to tour. Over the course of the hour-plus interview, Quinn also talked about his days as a drummer in rock and blues projects, his formative year living in California, the early stages of writing his own material, and his eventual move to country music. Along the way, Quinn also talked at length about his love of Thunderbird Wine.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and David Quinn ("Letting Go").

84 – Jon Gabrus (High And Mighty, Action Boyz, The Gino Lombardo Show) Oct 09, 2020

We broke format a little this week to talk all things music with a guest who has no musical experience of his own. Jon Gabrus is an actor (Guy Code, Younger, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), comedian and veteran podcaster. Though he's not a musician by trade, the host of High And Mighty, Action Boyz and The Gino Lombardo Show has a wealth of musical memories and no shortage of great stories about concerts he's attended through the years.

Prior to the start of Season 2 of The Gino Lombardo Show, Gabrus spoke with My First Band host/longtime "shithead" Tyler Maas about his various podcasts and how he's holding up during the nightmare that is 2020. Of course, the conversation eventually turned to music, as Gabrus talked about what he's listening to now, his love of Sylvan Esso, the music scene in his native Long Island, some of the first shows he attended, blowing all the money he made in his 20s on concerts in New York, almost getting kicked out of a Radiohead show, musical tropes in action movies and so much more. Along the way, Gabrus also discussed Billy Joel and Eddie Money while Maas fought the urge to make a bunch of High And Mighty callbacks.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Sylvan Esso ("Dreamy Bruises").

83 – Bob Nanna (Braid, Hey Mercedes, The City on Film) Oct 02, 2020

Listeners all over the world know Bob Nanna as the voice of Braid (one of the most influential emo bands of all time), as well as celebrated projects like Hey Mercedes and The City On Film. Long before he was making a name for himself with those bands, Nanna was a drummer who was keeping time for lesser-known suburban Chicago outfits like Slaphappy and Friction.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Nanna about the unconventional recording process for his new solo album, Celebration States, and how he's both staying creative and keeping busy in isolation. Over the course of the roughly 80-minute conversation, the emo icon also talked about his pre-Braid projects, the highs and lows of Braid and Hey Mercedes, the wealth of other musical endeavors that came after those seminal bands, and the process of building a network of musicians for his Downwrite custom song business. Along the way, Maas also accidentally referred to Michael Cassady as "Neil Cassady" and Nanna talked about playing a recent socially distant backyard show to an audience of seven people.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Friction ("Squelch") and Bob Nanna ("Mr. Albatross").

82 – Arlo McKinley (The Great Depression, Headstall) Sep 25, 2020

If you haven’t heard of Arlo McKinley yet, you should know he comes with John Prine’s seal of approval. Before Prine’s heartbreaking death this spring, the legendary folk singer handpicked McKinley to join his Oh Boy Records label, an honor granted to only a handful of musicians over the last couple of decades. This August, McKinley released Die Midwestern on the independent label, and his follow-up to 2014’s self-titled debut has been receiving high praise from music media and fans ever since. Before McKinley was releasing sad country ballads on the label of one of his musical heroes though, he was playing in Cincinnati punk and hardcore bands and teaming up with one of his buddies in projects that spanned more than a decade.

McKinley recently joined My First Band host Tyler Maas via WiFi to discuss his first exposure to musical performance as a boy in his family’s Bapist church, digging through his dad’s extensive vinyl collection as a kid and forming his first band, Mourning Child, as a teenager. Over the nearly hour-and-a-half-long discussion, McKinley also discussed being recruited to join Breaking Point, a punk rock band that he sang in, as well as how he talked himself into becoming the bassist in Headstall, a hardcore band, before he even knew how to play the instrument. After he left Headstall, McKinley quit performing for a few years and taught himself how to play guitar. A chance conversation with fellow Cincinnati musician Jeremy Pinnell led to McKinley joining a band called Latter Day and then playing with Pinnell for more than a decade in a handful of projects, including a memorable run as an indie folk duo called The Great Depression. Finally, McKinley revealed how he slowly made the transition from Tim Carr, his birth name, to the alter ego performing moniker of Arlo McKinley and how that endeavor has grown beyond his wildest dreams.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Arlo McKinley ("Die Midwestern").

81 – Jim Hanke (Vinyl Emergency, Twinstar, El Oso) Sep 18, 2020

Over the course of the show's 137-episode run (and counting!), Jim Hanke's Vinyl Emergency podcast has featured in-depth conversations with notable musicians about their record collections and albums they had a hand in making. Before he was interviewing performers about their emotional attachment to wax (and producing other well-received podcasts), Hanke was a musician in his own right.

Recently, Hanke took on the guest role for a change when My First Band host Tyler Maas caught up with him to talk about his show, other projects he's working on at the moment and the ongoing vinyl boom. After swapping stories about their podcasts, the conversation turned to Hanke's musical history. Over the course of the lengthy discussion, the performer-turned-podcaster talked about impressive opening gigs his band Twinstar played, his stint in El Oso, moving to Illinois during his time with Kid, You'll Move Mountains, and the circumstances that took him from the stage to the studio.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and El Oso ("Lions").

80 – Trapper Schoepp Sep 11, 2020

Through the years, Trapper Schoepp has released four excellent albums, played hundreds of shows all over the U.S. and Europe, shared the stage with some of music's most noted names, had songs on television, and has established himself as one of Wisconsin's premier performers. Oh, and he also has a co-writing credit with Bob Dylan! Before he was making a living as a musician and collaborating with legends, Schoepp was a kid in Ellsworth, Wisconsin who took up the guitar after suffering a BMX-related injury.

Now that the pandemic has canceled his European tour and thrown a wrench in his usually busy summer show schedule, Schoepp has some time to catch up with My First Band host Tyler Maas. Over the course of the conversation, the accomplished singer-songwriter talked about the ways he's keeping busy and staying productive, his experience playing a few socially distant drive-in shows, and the unexpected set of circumstances that led to him finishing a song Dylan started many years earlier. Of course, Scheopp also looked back on his early on-stage experiences, including important albums his dentist gave him, memories of his first shows, enduring some rowdy Social Distortion fans, being stranded in a small town on the way home from tour and formative figures that helped bring him to the place he is today.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Trapper Schoepp ("Keep Me In Your Heart" and "On, Wisconsin").

79 – Lydia Loveless Sep 04, 2020

With such a vast and downright impressive body of work to her credit, you might be shocked to learn Lydia Loveless just turned 30. Since 2010, the singer and songwriter has released a handful of critically acclaimed albums, toured relentlessly, shared the stage with some folk and country legends, and managed to fashion quite a career for herself. Before Loveless was a household name in the realm of alt-country with her solo work, she was playing bass guitar in a band with her family members.

Recently, Loveless, who is celebrating her 30th birthday the day of this episode's release, spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about growing up on a farm in the small Ohio town of Coshocton, learning to play guitar and piano while being homeschooled, early shows with her family's band, and playing out on her own during her late teen years. Along the way, Loveless spoke about Daughter (the excellent new album she's releasing on her own label Sept. 25), the ups and downs from a musical career that's spanned more than half her life and how she's staying busy in North Carolina amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Oh, and before the interview's end, she graciously indulged Maas in a little 90 Day Fiancé- and Mest-related conversation as well.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Lydia Loveless ("Wringer").

78 – Chris McCaughan (The Lawrence Arms, The Broadways, Sundowner) Aug 28, 2020

If you're reading this, chances are you know Chris McCaughan from his work in The Lawrence Arms. Over the course of more than 20 years singing and playing guitar in the iconic Chicago punk band, McCaughan has shared the stage with some of his favorite musicians, performed throughout the world, contributed to a number of celebrated records and has earned the affection of countless diehard fans all over the globe. Prior to his unlikely beginning with The Lawrence Arms and well before he started his beloved Sundowner side project, McCaughan was just a kid taking piano lessons, teaching himself to play guitar and falling in love with punk rock.

A few weeks after The Lawrence Arms released its seventh studio album, the wonderful Skeleton Coast, the band's guitarist and co-vocalist told My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of writing the record remotely, the decision to release it during a pandemic and how comparing songs with longtime bandmate/lifelong friend Brendan Kelly breeds healthy competition and makes for great material. Over the course of the interview, McCaughan also spoke about middle school "bands" like Vegetable Train and Glad Hand (both of which also featured Kelly), his stints in Tricky Dick and The Broadways, the unexpected origin of The Lawrence Arms, his decision to start Sundowner, and the unforgettable experiences music has given him through the years.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Lawrence Arms ("Ghostwriter").

77 – Miguel Chen (Teenage Bottlerocket) Aug 21, 2020

You probably know Miguel Chen as a longtime member of Teenage Bottlerocket. In addition to playing bass in the renowned Wyoming punk band for close to 15 years, however, Chen is also a yoga instructor, meditation expert and author who has written three books (with a fourth on the way). Long before he fashioned a unique career out of the diverse fields of punk rock, writing and self-improvement, Chen was a kid learning the ins and outs of classical guitar in the small town of Laramie.

With the typically busy Teenage Bottlerocket currently stuck home on account of the ongoing pandemic, Chen managed to find some time to speak with My First Band host Tyler Maas about his band's canceled spring tour, his new children's book, how he's holding up in his current home of Dallas and advice he has to help people stay sane and centered during a decidedly insane point in human history. Over the course of the conversation, Chen also talked about formative punk shows in Wyoming house venues, stints in bands like Kilted Monarchs and Inspector Hector, getting a little too into drugs in his early 20s, circumstances that took him from being Teenage Bottlerocket's merch guy to the band's bassist, and unforgettable experiences he's had since joining up with the group in 2006.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Teenage Bottlerocket ("I Wanna Be A Dog").

76 – Joshua Ray Walker (Joshua Ray Walker, Ottoman Turks) Aug 14, 2020

If you don't know the name Joshua Ray Walker yet, you're about to be hearing a lot about him. Since first gaining notoriety in country music circles with his 2018 debut, Wish You Were Here, the Dallas singer-songwriter has won fans all around the world and earned high praise from some of music's most renowned publications. Walker's just-released sophomore album, Glad You Made It, has garnered even more acclaim and finds the up-and-coming country talent on the cusp of even bigger and better things. He's come quite a way since he was a kid teaching himself to play a guitar he got at a garage sale.

Not long after the release of Glad You Made It, Walker spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of making the new record, the decision to put out a record during a pandemic and the positive response it's received so far. Over the course of the conversation, Walker also talked about his time in emo bands during his teens, couch surfing and living off Walmart taquitos in his 20s, important life advice he got from his grandfather, and how agreeing to host a folk night unknowingly reset his artistic trajectory. Along the way, he discussed his new High, Wide & Handsome clothing line and Maas made a few questionable puns.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Joshua Ray Walker ("Voices").

75 – Frank Turner Aug 07, 2020

Frank Turner has done it all. The English punk singer-songwriter has played thousands of shows over the course of his 25-year musical career. During that quarter-century span, he's released eight excellent albums under his own name, published books, founded a festival, shared the stage with some legendary acts and earned acclaim from fans all over the globe. Long before he was a world-renowned musician though, Turner was just a kid in a small U.K. village who was obsessed with Iron Maiden and intent on learning to play guitar.

Recently, in accordance with the release of his West Coast vs. Wessex cover split with NOFX and on the cusp of his milestone 2,500th show (which you can livestream on Aug. 9), Turner opened up to My First Band host Tyler Maas and told him all about his early musical experiences, as well as every memorable stop thereafter. Over the course of more than 45 minutes, the troubadour spoke about a recent socially distant show and the unique new Fat Wreck Chords split before looking back at regrettable band names of yore, unforgettable shows at squats throughout Europe, the unconventional way he wound up in Million Dead and the circumstances that led to him striking out on his own. Along the way, Turner also talked about his time in the London hardcore scene, his days in boarding school and playing his first solo show to exactly three people.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Frank Turner covering NOFX ("Bob").

74 – William Elliott Whitmore Jul 31, 2020

What needs to be said about William Elliott Whitmore at this point? Over the course of an impressive career that's spanned more than two decades, the folk legend has performed all around the world, shared the stage with an abundance of renowned musicians and released seven outstanding albums. Before he was captivating crowds far and wide with his quality catalog and his incomparable voice, Whitmore was lugging gear for Ten Grand and he — and his trusty banjo — were winning over audiences at punk shows as the band's opening act.

Recently, around the time his Dope Walker side project was preparing to release its debut album, My First Band host Tyler Maas was able to get Whitmore away from his family for long enough to run through his extensive and immensely interesting career. Over the course of the conversation, Whitmore discussed being a new dad, isolating on his Iowa farm and ways the pandemic has changed both his tour and album schedules. Along the way, the Midwestern music mainstay talked about inheriting his grandfather's banjo, finding success in a solo capacity, the creative itch projects like Dope Walker and Hallways of Always scratch, and some of the life-changing experiences he's had over the past 20-plus years. Before episode's end, the pair also relive memorable Wisconsin shows at places like Cactus Club and Cranky Pat's, mention mutual friends they have, and talk about Tyler's Green Bay Packers novelty band.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Dope Walker ("These Freaks"), and William Elliott Whitmore ("Dry").

73 – Britney Freeman-Farr (B~Free) Jul 24, 2020

Under her musical moniker of B~Free, Britney Freeman-Farr has released some outstanding albums, opened for Janelle Monáe and curated once-in-a-lifetime concerts. Long before the R&B singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist was making a name for herself in Milwaukee and far beyond, she was starting a lifelong journey of musical discovery, education and experience.

Recently, Freeman-Farr spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas about her life in music. Over the course of the conversation, she talked about how she's keeping busy and staying creative during quarantine with her husband/creative partner Quinten Farr, as well as growing up in a musical family, her experiences at an arts high school and in college music courses, and the start of B~Free. Along the way, the discussion also touched on Brandy, some especially memorable performances and how she dealt with losing her voice for almost an entire year.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and B~Free featuring Quinten Farr ("Say It").

72 – Ty Vaughn (Broadway Calls, Countdown to Life) Jul 17, 2020

As the singer and guitarist of Broadway Calls, Ty Vaughn has toured throughout Europe, Asia and across the United States. During the band's 15-year run, he's shared the stage with the likes of The Descendents, Bad Religion, Rancid, Alkaline Trio, Bouncing Souls and countless other world-renowned acts. Long before he was helping to put the small town of Rainier, Oregon, on the map as part of the long-tenured punk project, Vaughn was learning blues riffs on a rented acoustic guitar and developing tight musical bonds with kids who would go on to be his bandmates for decades to come.

A few days after Broadway Calls released Sad in the City on Red Scare Industries, My First Band host Tyler Maas asked Vaughn about the excellent new record — the band's first album in almost eight years — before taking a deep dive into his rich musical past. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Vaughn talked about formative shows across the river in nearby Longview, Washington, during his teens, his stint in a ska band, touring the country in a hardcore outfit called Countdown to Life, originally forming Broadway Calls as a side project, recording with Bill Stevenson and the life-changing compliment he once got from Tim Armstrong. Along the way, Maas also made some questionable jokes about The Oregon Trail and Milwaukie, Oregon.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Broadway Calls ("Sad In The City").

71 – Samer Ghani (Photographer) Jul 10, 2020

If you follow Milwaukee music, chances are you've come across Samer Ghani's work in some capacity. The photographer and videographer is responsible for a number of band photos, album covers, music videos and live shots at a wide range of local events. However, with COVID-19 halting concerts for the foreseeable future, Ghani has recently taken it upon himself to use his photography talents to help bring visibility to the Black Lives Matter protests in and around Milwaukee. Before he was an up-and-coming and versatile photographer, Ghani was playing string instruments in middle school, messing around on bass guitar in some high school punk bands and dabbling with a camera in college.

On a rare afternoon this week when he wasn't working or covering the BLM movement, Ghani opened up to My First Band about his unique path to photography, paying his way into shows to take pictures, overcoming "imposter syndrome" and how getting all his gear stolen was a blessing in disguise. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Ghani also talked about the impact the pandemic is having on his work, his experience touring with Nasty Boys, the importance of quick turnaround and collaborating with others, and what it was like to take photos for (and subsequently get to spend time backstage with) his musical idol, Tom DeLonge.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Paper Holland ("Slouches").

70 – Luke Bentham (The Dirty Nil) Jul 03, 2020

As the singer and guitarist of The Dirty Nil, Luke Bentham has toured all around the world, performed in stadiums and renowned clubs, shared the stage with legendary bands like The Who, won a Juno Award, and released some outstanding albums that have helped to carry rock and roll boldly — and loudly — into the roaring '20s. Before he was fronting the long-tenured and accomplished Canadian outfit, Bentham was living in the small Ontario town of Dundas and shredding on Nirvana and Green Day covers as a member of Twisted Minds.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Bentham about the COVID-19 conditions in his corner of Canada, keeping busy in quarantine by writing material with his bandmates/roommates and the singer's lifelong affinity for rock and roll. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Bentham also opened up about the unexpectedly lengthy run The Dirty Nil has enjoyed, once being paid for a show in Dairy Queen Blizzards, formative early performances and tours, his initial aversion to singing, and why nothing quite compares to banging out songs with his friends in their concrete rehearsal space.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Dirty Nil ("Done With Drugs").

69 – Adam Greuel (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, The High Hawks, Rucksack Revolution) Jun 26, 2020

Over the course of more than a decade with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Adam Greuel has shared the stage with some world-renowned acts, played some massive festivals, played throughout the country and even helped inspire a wonderful Central Waters beer. Before he was treating people throughout the Midwest (and far beyond) to his distinct bluegrass stylings, Greuel was teaching himself Grateful Dead tunes on guitar in central Wisconsin and sitting in on gigs with Loose Strings.

Prior to HHG's Driftless Music Gardens Drive-In Tailgate show on July 3, My First Band host Tyler Maas got in touch with Greuel to learn more about the unique socially distant show and to see how he's holding up under quarantine. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Greuel talked about making the most of this pause in the world's entertainment schedule, trying to focus on crucial social issues and seeking inspiration in isolation. Along the way, Greuel also gave a glimpse back at his musical start in Stevens Point, playing with the Taberna Twins in Wyoming, his stint with The Strange Machine in college, the origin of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, his solo efforts, and his modern day work with projects like Rucksack Revolution and The High Hawks.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Horseshoes & Hand Grenades ("Cheyanne") and Greuel ("Call It What It Is").

68 – Denis Buckley (88 Fingers Louie, Explode And Make Up, The Story So Far) Jun 19, 2020

Though Denis Buckley didn't join a band until he was 21 years old, he quickly made up for lost time when that first band went on to become a legendary Chicago punk outfit that would still be around more than a quarter century later. After trying out for a lead singer spot, Buckley became the final piece in 88 Fingers Louie. Well, he technically became the final piece in "Platypus Rex" before the band wisely changed its name to 88 Fingers Louie a few weeks later.

Recently, Buckley told My First Band host Tyler Maas about his school-age choir prowess, the chance circumstances that led to him joining 88 Fingers Louie, the rapid rise from brand-new group to getting signed to Fat Wreck Chords, unforgettable early shows with NOFX and Rancid, and his modern day musical outlook during the uncertain era of COVID-19. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Buckley also talked about his stints in other bands like The Story So Far — well before the other band by the same name existed — and Explode And Make Up. Buckley also opened up about the time he got into a fight with an audience member at a show in Milwaukee, which Maas attended/witnessed, and the cartoon-inspired origin 88 Fingers Louie's band name.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Live From the Rock Room. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and 88 Fingers Louie ("Our Tired Vices").

67 – Jarret Nathan (PEARS, Push Ups) Jun 12, 2020

As the drummer of PEARS, Jarret Nathan has toured all around North America, Europe and Australia. He's been part of outstanding releases the hardcore band has put out on Fat Wreck Chords. He's shared the stage with legendary punk bands like NOFX, Off With Their Heads and Suicide Machines, among others. Long before he did any of that as the drummer of "Your New Favorite NOLA Punk Band," Nathan was a young aspiring percussionist living in Long Island, New York.

Back in May, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Nathan about all of that and much more. Over the course of an hour-long discussion, the pair talked about their shared love of Doughboys and the NBA, Nathan's early drumming endeavors, the circumstances that led him to fall in love with punk rock, his move to Philadelphia and subsequent stints in Philly bands like Push Ups, and his bold decision to leave everything behind and move to New Orleans to join PEARS. At Nathan's request, we encourage you to donate to Black Lives Matter's Philadelphia chapter.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), PEARS ("Pepaw") and Push Ups ("Le Grande K").

66 – Matt Wilson (Trip Shakespeare, The Twilight Hours, Matt Wilson & His Orchestra) Jun 05, 2020

Matt Wilson has been a fixture in the Minneapolis music scene for roughly 30 years. Since starting out as the drummer of The Panic — a band that shared the stage with The Replacements and Hüsker Dü and opened for U2's first Minnesota show — Wilson has earned acclaim in the Twin Cities (and far beyond) by fronting projects like Trip Shakespeare, The Twilight Hours, and his new project Matt Wilson & His Orchestra. Along the way, Wilson played in a few bands with his Grammy-winning brother Dan, went to Harvard and was courted by major record labels.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas spoke to Wilson about all of that and much more. Over the course of the 90-plus-minute discussion, Wilson talked about formative middle school drum solos, scoring a high school play with his brother, the process of forming an orchestra after three decades of rocking out, battling (and eventually overcoming) writer's block and literally — well ... almost — rubbing elbows with Prince while recording at Paisley Park Studios.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Indeed Brewing Company. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Matt Wilson & His Orchestra ("Petty Thief").

65 – Poli van Dam (The Bombpops, The Vodka Dolls) May 29, 2020

These days, you probably know Poli van Dam as one of the singers, guitarists and founding members of The Bombpops. The Los-Angeles-based band has quickly earned notoriety in the punk rock realm and recently released an excellent sophomore album, Death In Venice Beach, on Fat Wreck Chords. Before Poli was touring relentlessly and sharing the stage with some of punk's premier projects, she was a teenager playing bar shows and D.I.Y. concerts with her (much older) bandmates in a SoCal group called The Vodka Dolls.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas got in touch with Poli to talk about the process of making the new Bombpops album, the record release show and lengthy tour the band hand to cancel on account of the COVID-19 crisis, how she's keeping busy with her family in quarantine, and some of the amazing opportunities the band has given her through the years. Of course, they also discussed her musical origin story, including her years playing piano as a kid, joining a band with her guitar teacher when she was 14, inadvertently starting a riot at her high school battle of the bands and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and The Bombpops ("Double Arrows Down").

64 – Jayke Orvis (.357 String Band, The Goddamn Gallows, Jayke Orvis & The Broken Band) May 22, 2020

These days, listeners know Jayke Orvis as the fast-picking mandolin virtuoso and banjo player in The Goddamn Gallows. Long before he was touring relentlessly with the Gallows, helping to invent the "streetgrass" sub-genre with .357 String Band and serving as the namesake of Jayke Orvis & The Broken Band though, Orvis was hosting basement shows and playing in hardcore punk bands like Penalty Box and Schwill Rotten.

With COVID-19 keeping the road dog at home for the foreseeable future, My First Band host Tyler Maas was finally able to catch Orvis in one place for long enough to record an interview. Speaking via video chat, Orvis talked about the ways he's keeping busy while confined to his home, memorable tales from living at a punk house in Riverwest in his 20s, the start (and subsequent local explosion) of .357 String Band, his years with The Broken Band in Pittsburgh, his two stints with The Goddamn Gallows, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Indeed Brewing Company. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and .357 String Band ("Rollin' Down The Track").

63 – Nick Wiger (Doughboys, How Did This Get Played?) May 15, 2020

Listeners all around the world know Nick Wiger from his work as the co-host of Doughboys — a popular podcast about chain restaurants — and a video game podcast called How Did This Get Played?, along with his off-mic career as a television writer. Long before "The Burger Boy" was making a living with his fast-food musings, the SoCal surfer dude was immersed in music. As members of the Burger Brigade have probably heard, Nick "Double Reed" Wiger spent much of his youth playing in school bands and orchestras.

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas reached out to Wiger to talk about his surprisingly extensive musical history. After discussing a Bucks-Lakers NBA Finals that probably won't happen this year, Wiger opened up about playing the clarinet as a child, his motivation for moving to saxophone and bassoon as a teen, experiences at summer band camp, and his short tenure in some Orange County ska punk bands during high school. Before episode's end, Wiger also talked about writing comedic compositions like "The Original Monster Mash" (a.k.a. "The Monster Fuck") and "Gungan Style" for Funny Or Die and the unexpectedly prevalent role music plays in Doughboys.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Nick Wiger ("The Original Monster Mash").

62 – Aaron Mader (Lazerbeak, Doomtree, The Plastic Constellations) May 08, 2020

Aaron Mader has made quite a name for himself in the music industry. That name just happens to be "Lazerbeak." Using the moniker, the co-founder and CEO of Doomtree has released an abundance of his own music, produced songs with the likes of Lizzo, P.O.S, Mac Lethal and Dessa and delved into the world of artist management. Long before Mader was a Midwest music mainstay and one of the driving forces of an accomplished creative collective, he was an inexperienced teen in the Minneapolis suburbs who was struggling to get shows for his first band.

That band — The Plastic Constellations — wound up lasting 13 years, being signed to French Kiss Records, touring and selling out spacious venues in Minneapolis before he could even legally drink. Along the way, Mader dabbled in beat-making and his Lazerbeak alias was born. The rest is history. Recently, Mader spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas and told him about his impressive indie rock past, the origin and unexpected explosion of Doomtree, and how he stays both active and creatively fulfilled making music in his solo project, Shredders and the brand new Night Stone, and as part of a forthcoming band with William Elliott Whitmore and members of Ten Grand.

Over the course of the lengthy and open discussion, Mader also talked about ways the COVID-19 crisis is currently impacting Doomtree and the artists he manages, accidentally sharing a stage name with an obscure Transformers character, his inspiring "little money in lots of places" approach and how Lizzo gave him a six-pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade to make beats for what would eventually become her Lizzobangers album.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Indeed Brewing Company. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), The Plastic Constellations ("Let's War") and Night Stone ("Echo Love" featuring Lady Midnight).

61 – Mike Park (Asian Man Records, Skankin' Pickle, The Bruce Lee Band) May 01, 2020

Mike Park is nothing short of a ska punk legend. Beyond being an activist and a touring musician with more than 30 years of onstage experience, Park is best-known for his work with Asian Man Records. The label's founder/owner/pretty much everything else started Asian Man in his parents' house in 1996. In the 24 years since that humble beginning, Park's venture has managed more than 300 releases, helped introduce the world to bands like Less Than Jake and Alkaline Trio, and outlasted many of its — oftentimes much larger — record label counterparts as the music industry experienced immense change around him ... all while staying true to Park's D.I.Y. ethics and without moving to a larger office.

Recently, with most of the country under quarantine, My First Band host Tyler Maas took a shot in the dark and asked Park if he wanted to be a guest on the podcast. He said yes! After Maas fanned out for a few minutes, the seasoned ska punk and longtime label owner opened up about his high school hardcore band, his time with Skankin' Pickle, the start of and philosophy of Asian Man Records, his current artistic endeavors like Bruce Lee Band and Kitty Kat Fan Club, and why staying small and specialized has translated to label longevity. Over the course of the hour-plus conversation, Park also talked about giving RoboCop star Peter Weller a ride to the airport, signing a major label deal in Korea and striking up a friendship with Biz Markie while they were part of a nationwide Yo Gabba Gabba theater tour.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Bruce Lee Band ("If I Could Only Listen To My Heart"). If you like My First Band and/or Milwaukee Record, please consider supporting the site by donating to our GoFundMe relief fund.

60 – Walt Hamburger (The Hamburgers, Honor Amongst Thieves, Caution to the Wind) Apr 24, 2020

Before he was traversing the continent, touring Europe and sharing the stage with some legendary punk-rock powerhouses, the singer-songwriter listeners now know as Walt Hamburger was just a guy named Walt Lontkowski who fronted little-known bands in Northeast Wisconsin and had no expectations of making a living as a full-time musician. Thanks to untold hours of experience in those projects, a great work ethic, an ever-improving catalog and a few chance meetings that turned into life-changing opportunities, Walt Hamburger has already accomplished more in the realm of music than he'd ever imagined possible.

The solo artist with the appetizing moniker and infectious material was on the cusp of even bigger things this year, with a Canadian tour and a run of overseas shows booked ... at least until COVID-19 made its way stateside and threw his plans for a loop. Now in quarantine in his hometown of Appleton, Hamburger recently took some time out of his suddenly quite-empty schedule to video conference with My First Band host Tyler Maas.

After they both opened up about the uncertainty the coronavirus has put into their livelihoods, Hamburger told Maas about his early experiences in bands like Caution To The Wind and The Hamburgers (where he got his stage name), memorable shows in rural Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, his animal foundation, early struggles as a solo artist, and how a phone call from Lagwagon's Joey Cape changed his life. You can pre-order Walt Hamburger's reissued and remastered One Week Records #1 album on vinyl now at 1332Records.com.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Walt Hamburger ("Wisconsin Dells") and Caution To The Wind ("Rebound"). If you like My First Band and/or Milwaukee Record, please consider supporting the site by donating to our GoFundMe relief fund.

59 – Matt Wild (Milwaukee Record, A.V. Club, Holy Mary Motor Club) Apr 17, 2020

If you've been keeping up on Milwaukee entertainment and culture coverage at any point in the last 15 years or so, you're likely very familiar with the work of Matt Wild. Before co-founding Milwaukee Record with My First Band host Tyler Maas in early 2014, Wild served as the City Editor of Milwaukee's branch of The A.V. Club and got the occasional byline in national publications as well. Prior to earning a reputation as one of the Milwaukee's most talented and unique journalistic voices, Wild was a musician and film student with little-to-no writing aspirations.

During Milwaukee Record's recent "14-Hour Socially Distant Telethon," Maas and Wild worked in enough time for a My First Band recording. During the lengthy and open discussion, the co-owners and editors talked about the unlikely start of the business, the ups and downs of Milwaukee Record's first six years and how they're trying to get through the economic uncertainty and difficulty of the COVID-19 crisis. Eventually, Wild got into his 15-year run with his first and only band, Holy Mary Motor Club, which consisted of unforgettable shows in West Bend, an abbreviated tour, some interesting costumes and an opportunity to open for The Arcade Fire. Before episode's end, Wild also talked about what eventually brought him into the realm of writing and both he and Maas talked about where they plan to bring Milwaukee Record post-pandemic.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Holy Mary Motor Club ("Theme To 'L.A. Llama'"). If you like My First Band and/or Milwaukee Record, please consider supporting the site by donating to our GoFundMe relief fund.

58 – Todd Bell (Braid, Hey Mercedes) Apr 10, 2020

Compared to many other musicians, Todd Bell got kind of a late start. He more than made up for it, however, when the second band he ever played in would end up becoming one of the most influential emo bands of all time. After first picking up a bass in his early 20s and playing a few house shows in a band he formed with a skating buddy, Bell wound up in the rhythm section of a little project known as Braid. The rest was history.

Despite being under quarantine, Bell has been keeping extremely busy with parenting duties and his day job as a special education teacher. Still, he found enough time recently to get on a video chat with My First Band host Tyler Maas and — despite battling a few technological issues — told him about finding a group of like-minded friends as a teenager in the Illinois college town of Champaign, his decision to take up bass guitar, the unlikely start (and most memorable experiences) of Braid, his time in Hey Mercedes, Braid's second stint, and what prompted his move to Milwaukee more than 20 years ago.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Hey Mercedes ("Police Police Me"), and Braid ("Milwaukee Sky Rocket").

57 – Tyler Maas (Infinity & One, Milwaukee Record) Apr 03, 2020

Well, this wasn't supposed to happen, but strange and uncertain times call for desperate measures. With Milwaukee (and much of the world) under quarantine and social isolation for the foreseeable future, we're simply no longer able to record My First Band episodes in person at this point. Rather than shelve the show for a few months, we decided to give this whole "remote recording" thing a go.

Concerned about potentially wasting a guest's time with a subpar recording, My First Band co-producer and audio engineer Jared Blohm had the idea to test the unfamiliar process by interviewing the podcast's usual host, Tyler Maas, about his first/only band. With the aid of video chat and a few beers, the pair talked about their first few weeks in isolation before Blohm asked Maas about the rise and fall of his Menasha, Wisconsin-based pop-punk band called Infinity & One. Along the way, Maas spoke about the importance that his stint playing music had in forming long-term friendships, boosting his confidence and paving the way to his eventual career as an entertainment writer. Maas also reflected on the first six years of Milwaukee Record, revisited some forgotten Fox Cities bands and venues of the early 2000s, and reminisced about winning his high school's battle of the bands even though Infinity & One wasn't very good.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Infinity & One ("Pieces Of You").

56 – Caleb Westphal (Devils Teeth, Offend Your Friends, Fish Fries) Mar 27, 2020

Caleb Westphal is best-known for his amazing fish fry streak, which currently stands at 325 consecutive Fridays (and counting!). This impressive, hyper-specific and unarguably Midwestern feat has earned the Milwaukee writer attention from national publications, a cameo on a fish fry-focused documentary and — as chance would have it — a spot in a band. After mentioning his desire to play in a band in some of his weekly fish fry reviews on Milwaukee Record, a surf rock outfit called Devils Teeth gave Westphal a chance. A couple years later, the saxophone player is a valued part of the accomplished outfit, and his fish fry streak is still going strong.

Last week, Westphal welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his basement where (from a safe distance), they ate fish fry together before talking about the origin of his weekly ritual, his favorite haunts he's discovered over the course of his six-year odyssey, how he landed in Devils Teeth and his extensive musical past. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Westphal talked about buying his first sax at a rummage sale, how Christian bands like MxPx and Five Iron Frenzy were his gateway to punk and ska, his experiences in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh bands like Offend Your Friends, and much more. The pair also talked about Westphal's preferred fish preparation and sides. Oh, and if you're reading this the day it was released, today is Caleb's birthday. Happy birthday, Caleb!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers" and "Speed, Power, Focus") and Offend Your Friends ("Vacation in the Middle East" and "Olive Branch").

55 – Dylan Mattheisen (Tiny Moving Parts) Mar 20, 2020

As the energetic singer and spellbinding guitarist of Tiny Moving Parts, Dylan Mattheisen — along with his cousins/bandmates William and Matthew Chevalier — has toured the world over, built an impressive fan base that's grown with each of the band's seven full-lengths, and helped put his hometown of Benson, Minnesota, on the map. Before Mattheisen and company were bringing the small western Minnesota town to outward consciousness among fans of math-y Midwest emo, he and his future rhythm section were working at their family-owned grocery store, learning covers of Blink-182 and Sum 41 songs and holding no expectations of where they'd wind up.

Last week, before the band was to start a nationwide tour in belated support of last year's "breathe," My First Band host Tyler Maas joined Mattheisen in the band's van outside X-Ray Arcade, where the frontman talked about growing up in Benson, his early artistic attempts in ill-fated projects with numerals in their names, when things really started to click for Tiny Moving Parts and much more. Note: about 10 minutes of the interview cut off due to a recording mishap, but Mattheisen was kind enough to re-record before the show. Also, Tiny Moving Parts was forced to postpone its tour as a coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measure, so if you have some cash to spare, support them and buy their stuff!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Tiny Moving Parts ("The Midwest Sky").

54 – Marc Solheim (The Globe, Turner Hall) Mar 13, 2020

Marc Solheim is a low-key Milwaukee music legend. Though he rarely takes the stage himself these days (except when he fronts his Morrissey and The Smiths cover band, Salford Lads Club), Solheim has been a noted figure in Wisconsin music for close to 30 years. The Pabst Theater Group booker has been instrumental in bringing some notable — and once-unthinkable — acts to Milwaukee and, along the way, he's also helped Turner Hall Ballroom delve into wrestling events.

Well before he was making shows happen at a cluster of downtown venues, Solheim was living in Walworth County and fronting a high school band. After moving an hour north after graduation, he saw potential in many Milwaukee bands and found his way into management. From there, he also booked shows at The Globe, The Unicorn and Mad Planet, where he brought bands like No Doubt, Alkaline Trio and Arcade Fire to the city for the first time. He has a treasure trove of great stories, and he was gracious enough to talk about his lengthy and incredibly interesting career in music, artist management, concert booking and much more when he met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Subside ("Strike Three").

53 – Sabrina Ellis (Heart Bones, A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit) Mar 06, 2020

Most musicians wait a lifetime for the chance to be part of one outstanding project. Sabrina Ellis is currently in three of them. The front person of A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit recently added another project to their already-impressive arsenal. Along with Har Mar Superstar mastermind (and Episode 19 guest) Sean Tillmann, Ellis embarked on a new artistic endeavor called Heart Bones. After a successful tour in which they performed the music of Dirty Dancing, the dynamic duo set out to write and record an album of their own.

Last month, Heart Bones released its debut album, Hot Dish, and set out on a lengthy U.S. tour. Before kicking off that run of shows with a performance at The Cooperage last weekend, My First Band host Tyler Maas joined Ellis for a pre-show discussion about the new record, their other projects and everything that came before. Over the course of an hour-long Airbnb interview, Ellis talked about fronting a high school cover band in the suburbs of Houston, finding a place in adolescence at punk shows at a Christian coffee shop, going to NYU with intentions of becoming a playwright and coming back to Texas to join up with former bandmates in Austin and start A Giant Dog.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Heart Bones ("This Time It's Different").

52 – Sid McCain (WMSE) Feb 28, 2020

Sid McCain has spent most of her life immersed in music. Since falling in love with hardcore music while attending boarding school in North Carolina, McCain — who currently works at 91.7 WMSE — has had an undying passion for learning about bands and helping musicians she loves find new listeners. Naturally, she decided to embark on a career in the music industry after college, and she's never looked back.

Earlier this week, McCain came to the My First Band headquarters to talk about her long and incredibly interesting music industry background, including an internship at MTV, memorable experiences with the likes of Angus Young and Iggy Pop, helping to coordinate a concert at the World Trade Center, and helping her father (John McCain) hang out with her then-client (The White Stripes) in the green room at Saturday Night Live when the senator was hosting during his Presidential campaign and The White Stripes were the musical guest. Along the way, McCain talked about the importance of local media and Maas impressed her by listing a bunch of rappers on the Bad Boy Records roster.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Flat Teeth ("Florida Snow").

51 – Norb Rozek (Boris the Sprinkler, The Onions, Suburban Mutilation) Feb 21, 2020

Norb Rozek is known better to the world as Reverend Norb, the front man of Boris The Sprinkler. Before he was the incomparable voice of the legendary Green Bay punk band, Rozek was cutting his teeth in other — far less-renowned — Titletown projects like Static Cling and Suburban Mutilation after being led to a life in rock and roll by The Everly Brothers of all things. With close to 40 years of onstage experience, Rev. Norb has no shortage of great stories at the ready.

Recently, Norb invited My First Band host Tyler Maas into his home in Green Bay to talk about the city's music scene, being part of a high school riot that allegedly inspired a 7 Seconds song, being tricked into joining Boris The Sprinkler in the early '90s, being bumped from a Green Day and Pansy Division show in Neenah in the early '90s, his stint with The Onions, and so, SO much more. Along the way, the pair also talked about Heritage Hill, Concert Cafe and non-existent barn shows in Wrightstown.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Boris The Sprinkler ("Spider Baby").

50 – Cory Chisel (The Wandering Sons, Breathing Machine, Mile of Music) Feb 14, 2020

If you're a fan of outstanding Americana or you have any awareness of music in northeast Wisconsin, you probably know Cory Chisel. Not only does the accomplished singer-songwriter and namesake of Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons have an impressive and extensive body to his credit, he's also the co-founder of the successful Mile of Music festival in Appleton and an instrumental figure at Refuge Foundation for the Arts.

Long before he landed a major label deal, collaborated with the likes of Norah Jones and Emmylou Harris, performed on virtually every late night talk show, and helped carry the Fox Cities music scene to higher ground, Chisel was annoying parents as part of a punk band called Panic. The Wisconsin music mainstay recently invited My First Band host Tyler Maas to the gorgeous and secluded Refuge to talk about the space, the refreshing artistic perspective he's gained through his experience in the music industry and where his musical journey started. Over the course of the discussion, Chisel also talked his reggae phase, his stint in Christian music and why Appleton holds such a special place in his heart.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons ("Born Again").

49 – Chris Schulist (The Mistreaters, Dope Folks Records, C-Section) Feb 07, 2020

These days, you're most likely to see Chris Schulist at The Vanguard, the beloved Milwaukee bar and sausage establishment he co-owns. A few years before taking the bold leap into restaurant ownership, Schulist started a classic hip-hop label called Dope Folks Records — which he still operates with friend and co-founder John Kuester — and fronted one of the city's most accomplished bands of the early 2000s. Prior to touring and playing unforgettable shows with The Mistreaters, giving endangered rap recordings a second life on vinyl, and opening an instant and undeniable Midwest culinary landmark, Schulist was performing jokey hip-hop under the name "C-Section."

Recently, My First Band host Tyler Maas invited Schulist to Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about some highlights from The Vanguard's first five-plus years in business, how Dope Folks got its start a decade ago, what it was like to play a Mistreaters album release show with The White Stripes and C-Section's unexpected popularity in Madison. Along the way, the pair talked about pro wrestling, the importance of preserving classic hip-hop, short-lived Riverwest bars and why all musicians should probably have a backup plan.

Schulist will DJ the Australia Is Burning fundraiser at Cactus Club on Sunday, Feb. 9. My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), C-Section ("Da ILLTRO") and The Mistreaters ("The Mistreaters").

48 – Zach Stephenson (Hockey Dad, Abstract Classic) Jan 31, 2020

Zach Stephenson has come a long way since he was playing AC/DC covers in Wollongong, New South Wales. Though he still lives in the Australian coastal town, the singer and guitarist has been able to perform all over the world as a member of Hockey Dad. Since his garage rock band's formation in 2013, Stephenson and his longtime bandmate and friend Billy Fleming have released two albums (both of which have climbed the Australian charts), put out a well-received EP, achieved notoriety in their home country and have also found an audience in other continents.

Back in December, while headlining a brief North American tour, Hockey Dad stopped in Milwaukee to perform at The Back Room @ Colectivo. There, Stephenson took some time before the show to meet My First Band host Tyler Maas in the green room for a quick run-through of Hockey Dad's current happenings, the band's formation and his other early musical efforts. Along the way, they talked about Stephenson's stint in Abstract Classic, Hockey Dad's Simpsons-related name and much more in the relatively tight pre-show window.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Hockey Dad ("I Missed Out"). If you wish to help the countless animals that have been impacted by Australia's recent wildfires, please consider sending a donation to WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue.

47 – Eric Benét Jan 24, 2020

Eric Benét has done it all. Over the course of his 25-year solo career, the R&B superstar has earned four Grammy nominations, released a pair of chart-topping singles, sold millions of records and performed to adoring fans all over the planet. Along the way, the accomplished musician has also worked his way into the realm of acting by landing roles in mainstream films, sitcoms and television movies. What Benét has done over the course of his career is even more impressive when you factor in where it all started and just how close it all came to coming to an end before it really even began.

While back in his native Milwaukee for a homecoming performance at Northern Lights Theater, the multi-talented entertainer took a little time in the hours leading up to the show to meet My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about standout moments from his incomparable career, upcoming music and film projects, and his artistic origin at his church and as part of a Top 40s tribute band. During the fun and interesting hour-long discussion, Benét also opened up about moving home and working at UPS when his first record deal fell apart, being handpicked by Mariah Carey to be her Glitter co-star, and how Michelle Obama's appreciation of his music led to an invite to party with the then-First Family in the White House.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Eric Benét (“Home”).

46 – Shane Parsons (DZ Deathrays, Modern Liars) Jan 17, 2020

Since forming in 2008, DZ Deathrays — originally known as "Denzel" and, later, "DZ" — have accomplished quite a lot. The Brisbane-based band has climbed the charts in their native Australia with each new release in their extensive and impressive catalog. In the process, they've won a mess of awards, cemented their status as one of their country's premier rock outfits, toured avidly and won fans all around the world. It's safe to say DZ Deathrays singer and guitarist Shane Parsons has come a long way since he was a 13-year-old trying to learn Nirvana songs on an acoustic guitar.

Last month, while touring Canada with their Australian counterparts in Hockey Dad, Parsons and his fellow Deathrays crossed the border into the States while en route to eastern Ontario for a show at The Back Room @ Colectivo in Milwaukee. In the minutes leading up to the show's start, Parsons met My First Band host Tyler Maas in the venue's green room for a conversation about everything his band has done, what they have coming up this year and where his continent-crossing musical journey started. Over the course of a 30-minute discussion, Parsons talked about growing up in the Queensland town of Bundaberg, winding up in a group called Modern Liars when he moved to Brisbane for college (or "University," for our Australian listeners out there) and the circumstances that brought his current band into existence. Along the way, he also told Maas about the difficulties and limitations of touring in Australia, the counties where Deathrays get the best reception from crowds and the appreciation he has for being able to perform all over the globe.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and DZ Deathrays ("Still No Change").

45 – Abby Jeanne Jan 10, 2020

Artists like Abby Jeanne don't come along every day. Not only does the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist have one of the single best voices in Wisconsin, she's also one of the hardest working musicians around. Over the last three years, Abby has released two full-length albums in addition to an abundance of 7-inches and singles (on a record label she started). She played some high-profile shows and spent extended stays writing and working with some of her heroes in Los Angeles and (now) New York. She's booked ambitious and well-received pop-up events and residencies. Though she's accomplished a lot in a relatively short span of time, she has her sights set on way bigger things. As interesting as the last three years have been for her, Abby Jeanne has actually been on a wild creative adventure since she was a teenager.

Before her upcoming show at Turner Hall on Jan. 11, the tireless Jeanne met My First Band host Tyler Maas at the Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about her recent output, upcoming plans and where her artistic journey all started. Over the course of an hour-long conversation, the singer talked about growing up in a musical household, playing in a Beatles cover band in high school, touring the country to play shows while living in a van for a few years after graduation, learning to make the most of life after experiencing unthinkable tragedy and busking to help make ends meet while living in Europe.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Abby Jeanne ("Cosmic Beings" and "Pleasures Pain").

44 – Year-End Recap (Tyler Maas and Jared Blohm) Jan 03, 2020

The first guest of 2020 is, well, nobody. Instead of starting the year with a traditional episode, we decided to take a look back at the output we managed in 2019. My First Band's first abbreviated year in existence found us releasing 43 episodes (and a couple bonus installments) and featuring in-depth interviews with a wealth of musicians — and a few comics and media personalities with musical pasts — from the Midwest and various other parts of the country. Since launching the podcast in early March, we released an episode each and every Friday and have been heard by thousands upon thousands of listeners in more than 30 countries. We're proud of what we've accomplished so far and we're excited about what's to come, so we figured it would be a good time to look back at My First Band's 2019.

Host Tyler Maas recently met up with My First Band co-producer and "audio engineer" Jared Blohm to talk about the year that was, hopes they have for the future of the show and how the podcast came to be in the first place. There, in Blohm's basement, the pair also discussed things they learned over the course of the first 40-some episodes, mentioned some guests that stood out for each of them and revealed some behind-the-scenes details about a few My First Band recordings. Stay tuned for a new episode next Friday and every week thereafter. Thanks for supporting the show!

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers").

43 – Marielle Allschwang (Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Group of the Altos) Dec 27, 2019

To say 2019 has been a busy year for Marielle Allschwang would be an understatement. The singer, bandleader and namesake of Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations released her incredible VISITATIONS IV back in May, which earned heaps of well-deserved attention (including the distinction of being named the best Milwaukee album of 2019 by Milwaukee Record earlier this month). As if one astounding full-length isn't enough for one year, Allschwang and her handpicked cast of collaborators also released a moving conceptual double LP in September called Procession of a Day: The World of Mary Nohl. Though she certainly deserves a break, something tells us Allschwang's most productive year yet is just a hint of what's to come.

At the tail end of a watershed 2019, Allschwang met My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about her pair of impressive and immersive recent releases, the impact Mary Nohl's life and work has on her, her approach to playing everywhere from arenas and ballrooms to street festivals and neighborhood restaurants, and the honor of being asked to contribute vocals (and choreography) to Collections of Colonies of Bees. Over the course of the conversation, Allschwang also talked about growing up in a musical household, the artistic encouragement she received as a college student in Massachusetts — including advice and formative moments from some unlikely and famous sources — and her unforgettable experiences as part of Group of the Altos. That's just the tip of the iceberg though, as it was an extensive, fun and inspiring discussion that we're proud to have be our last episode of 2019. Thanks for listening and supporting My First Band. We'll see you in 2020!

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations ("Every Name" and "Lash Of The Lake").

42 – Joe Wong (The Trap Set, Russian Doll, Master of None) Dec 20, 2019

Even if you don't know who Joe Wong is, you're almost certainly aware of his work. The Los Angeles-based composer and producer can be heard on television shows like Russian Doll, Ugly Delicious, Master of None and Superjail, as well as films like To All The Boys I've Loved Before and Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss. He also co-produced Fred Armisen's Netflix special, Standup For Drummers. Beyond his on-screen efforts, Wong also interviews some of the world's most accomplished percussionists on The Trap Set — an excellent drummer-focused podcast that has released more than 230 episodes. On top of all that work in a variety of mediums, Wong continues to write and record his own music.

While back in his hometown of Milwaukee over Thanksgiving, Wong met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas to talk about his eclectic artistic résumé that spans the realms of television, film, podcasting and live performance. The conversation also made its way to Wong's interest in drumming during adolescence, his formative high school and college bands and his time living in a Riverwest house venue that would later be featured on an episode of Hoarders. Over the course of the hour-long discussion, Wong also talked about his foray into the interesting world of TV and film scoring.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Joe Wong ("Hard Reset").

41 – Christopher Porterfield (Field Report, Dinner With Gregg, DeYarmond Edison) Dec 13, 2019

Christopher Porterfield has experienced a great deal of the ups and downs the music industry has to offer. He's been signed, toured the continent, performed on national television and shared the stage with some of the planet's most celebrated musicians. Along the way, he's dealt with album cycles, promotional pushes, label changes and false promises about how his work would be handled. Through it all, the Field Report singer, guitarist and bandleader is still here, still creating and more motivated than ever before. Within the past month alone, Porterfield unveiled his new label — Fellesskap Records — and put out a pair of Field Report EPs, with a handful of live shows on the horizon.

Before he poured himself and his inimitable voice into being the front man and creative force behind Field Report, however, Porterfield was a supporting member of an Eau Claire (by way of Rochester, Minnesota) band called Dinner With Gregg. Just after launching the label and before what's sure to be an accomplished 2020, Porterfield joined My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about Field Report's exciting new happenings, his time with Dinner With Gregg, playing alongside Justin Vernon in DeYarmond Edison, starting Conrad Plymouth after moving to Milwaukee and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Dinner With Gregg ("Fractured Solo") and Field Report ("Breathe").

40 – Andrew Winistorfer (Vinyl Me, Please) Dec 06, 2019

It took a great deal of time and almost as much disappointment in the process, but Andrew Winistorfer is finally making a living as a music writer. Since coming on as the editorial director for Vinyl Me, Please, Winistorfer spearheaded the record subscription service's music coverage and assembled a staff of skilled contributors to assist him. Along the way, he helped put together two ambitious coffee table books, including the just-released Best Record Stores In The United States, along with contributing liner notes to celebrated reissues and handling A&R for VMP's new "Classics" division. In many ways, it's a dream job for Winistorfer, especially when taking into account the long and uncertain road that brought him to this point.

Shortly before the book's release, My First Band host Tyler Maas stopped by the Midwest office of Vinyl Me, Please in downtown Madison to talk about the exciting things Winistorfer is doing now and to take a trip down memory lane. The two reminisced about their time working together on their college newspaper (The Advance-Titan at UW-Oshkosh), compared horror stories about the difficult and ever-changing world of entertainment writing, and chronicled their separate paths to the ultra-rare distinction of making a career in modern journalism.

During the extensive conversation, Winistorfer told the story of playing a college house party with his one and only band, admitted he came close to quitting music writing to become a manager at Target and talked about how writing about his record collection in alphabetical order would ultimately change the course of his life.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Mystery Room Mastering. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and the title track from Vinyl Me, Please's Classics record for the month of December — B.B. King's "Lucille".

39 – Scott Hobart (Giants Chair, Rex Hobart & The Misery Boys) Nov 29, 2019

After more than 20 years away, Giants Chair is back! The seminal Kansas City post-hardcore band, which went on an indefinite hiatus in 1997, didn't just come back for some reunion shows: They wrote a brand-new album. Giants Chair will release its loooooooong-awaited third record, Prefabylon, on Dec. 6. Just because the band wasn't active since the Clinton administration doesn't mean members weren't keeping busy with other projects in the meantime.

Before Giants Chair took the stage at Cactus Club for its first Milwaukee show since the '90s, singer and guitarist Scott Hobart invited My First Band host Tyler Maas into the band's RV to discuss the long and winding path to Prefabylon and everything that came before. There, they talked about Giants Chair's brief stint as a Green Bay band before they made their mark in KC and influenced Midwestern acts for years to come.

Hobart went on to talk about growing up in a musical family in rural Missouri, waiting for his moment to be pulled on stage to play guitar with U2 as a kid, joining bands in high school and college, honoring his father's memory with a country band called Rex Hobart & The Misery Boys after Giants Chair ended, and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Giants Chair ("Dirty Winter").

38 – Mike Felumlee (Smoking Popes, Alkaline Trio) Nov 22, 2019

Mike Felumlee has the special distinction of being both the former and current drummer of Smoking Popes. Between stints in the seminal Chicago punk band, the percussionist spent a few years playing drums in Alkaline Trio. Along the way, he started a solo project, began a record label and stepped away from music for a few years before getting back behind the kit and making his way behind the camera for his Live From The Rock Room music video series.

My First Band host Tyler Maas recently joined Felumlee in Rock Room version 2.0 in the veteran drummer’s new home in Milwaukee. After talking about some of his favorite pizzas and burgers in his adopted city, Felumlee went all the way back to his childhood, when his parents bought him a used drum set. Over the course of the long, interesting and incredibly open discussion, he also touched on his pre-Popes projects, the backlash the band has faced through the years, replacing one of his friends in Alkaline Trio, what led to him being kicked out of the group shortly after the release of From Here to Infirmary and much more. Smoking Popes will perform at The Back Room @ Colectivo on Dec. 6, and Mike Felumlee & The Bigger Empty will play X-Ray Arcade on Dec. 14.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), The Smoking Popes (“Let’s Hear It For Love”) and Mike Felumlee (“Can’t Hardly Wait”).

37 – Carl Nichols and Johanna Rose (Nickel&Rose) Nov 15, 2019

This week's guests are Carl Nichols and Johanna Rosa, a duo who makes beautiful music together as Nickel&Rose. Since the folk project formed roughly three years ago, the pair has played all around Europe, toured around the continental United States and shared the stage with The SteelDrivers among others. Before Nichols and Rose found each other and started Nickel&Rose, they played in a ton of other bands that touch on almost as many different musical genres.

During a rare span of time between tours, they came to Milwaukee Record headquarters to tell My First Band host Tyler Maas how they met and how the project came to be, before discussing their divergent musical paths that led them to where they are today. Over the course of the long, informative and lighthearted conversation, Nichols talked about trying to recruit bandmates on Craigslist as a Mars-Volta-obsessed teen, and Rose talked about throwing herself into Milwaukee's music scene after returning home from Oregon. Along the way, Maas annoyed the guests with regrettable puns and Rose entirely forgot about another band she currently plays in.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), New Boyz Club ("Taxes") and Nickel&Rose ("Another Man").

36 – Kellen Abston (Klassik) Nov 08, 2019

Listeners throughout Milwaukee, all around the Midwest and in Rob Gronkowski's car know Kellen Abston for his extensive, eclectic and altogether impressive body of work he's released under the name Klassik. Over Klassik's near-10-year run, the rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist has earned oodles of attention in the local scene, opened for a host of impressive acts, challenged himself with a wide range of different creative undertakings and made some of Milwaukee's most impressive music this decade. But long before Klassik came to be, Abston was a kid with a knack for the sax.

Weeks before his long-awaited album, QUIET., is released, Abston dropped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his start in school band, learning to recreate some of his favorite beats at an early age, selling his own beats in high school, his foray into rapping, the decision to give up a full-ride college scholarship to pursue music, his stint in Group Of The Altos and the importance of intention in art. QUIET. comes out everywhere Nov. 22!

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Klassik ("Going On" and "ACTIVE.").

35 – Ellis Ludwig-Leone (San Fermin) Nov 01, 2019

Ellis Ludwig-Leone has spent most of his life immersed in music. Long before the Yale-educated composer and songwriter made his mark with San Fermin, the Brooklyn indie rock collective's bandleader was a kid in rural Massachusetts looking to challenge himself with classical music and Russian "knuckle-busters" during piano lessons. In high school, he wound up playing keyboard in a short-lived instrumental metal outfit, followed by a stint performing Ben Folds and Eagle-Eye Cherry covers at Sweet 16 parties in a cover band. While at a Berklee College of Music summer camp, Ludwig-Leone struck up a friendship with a fellow camper named Allen Tate, and the rest was history.

Recently, prior to a show at Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom in support of San Fermin's recently released The Cormorant I, Ludwig-Leone met My First Band host Tyler Maas in the venue's balcony to talk about his formative early auditory endeavors, starting a project with Tate while they were going to college in different states and how San Fermin has changed his life in ways he never could've anticipated. Though this one is shorter than most episodes, Ellis managed to pack a ton of great stories and interesting information into a tight pre-show window.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and San Fermin ("Saint").

34 – Mike Kennerty (All-American Rejects, Mr. Crispy, The Measles) Oct 25, 2019

If you're familiar with The All-American Rejects (and you almost certainly are), then you're also familiar with the work of Mike Kennerty. The guitarist joined the internationally known rock band in 2002, just before the Oklahoma-based group's meteoric rise to worldwide acclaim and notoriety on the wings of "Swing, Swing" and other breakout hits from their self-titled debut album. In the 17 years since Kennerty joined up, the Rejects have amassed a huge collection of hits, built a massive fan base all over the planet, shared the stage with some of the world's biggest bands, topped the Billboard charts and appreciated every step along the way.

Before the band's longtime guitarist was a part of The All-American Rejects, Kennerty was an eighth grader in Houston who was playing drums in a band called The Measles. From there, he was part of a metal band in high school, before winding up on guitar after high school with a group called Mr. Crispy. Recently, while in Milwaukee to play lead guitar at the first Mini Meltdowns show, Kennerty talked about his early projects, a great tour in support of Avail, a not-so-great tour supporting CKY, how he wound up in one of the biggest modern alternative rock projects and his side gig recording and producing records for bands like Masked Intruder and The Copyrights.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Mr. Crispy ("Marathon Song").

33 – Channy Leaneagh (Poliça, Gayngs) Oct 18, 2019

In the eight-plus years Poliça has been a band, the synth-pop project has toured the world, released critically acclaimed albums that have been heard millions upon millions of times and further bolstered the already-sterling musical pedigree of their hometown of Minneapolis. Long before Poliça — an outfit Justin Vernon of Bon Iver once called "the best band [he's] ever heard" — was making incredible, innovative music and climbing the European charts, singer Channy Leaneagh was a young violinist who was agonizing over every mistake she made during recitals.

Recently, before the band's headlining performance at Flannel Fest in Milwaukee (just her second show after recovering from a broken back she sustained last winter), Leaneagh invited My First Band host Tyler Maas to join her in a green room RV to discuss her unlikely path to fronting Poliça. After talking about the band's forthcoming full-length that's due out at the end of January, the singer talked about playing fiddle and singing in a bluegrass band while attending college in South Dakota, busking at farmer's markets in Minnesota, getting booked to play a birthday party and the circumstances that led to her winding up in Gayngs. Along the way, they talked about the camaraderie in the Minneapolis music scene, and Maas wondered why Poliça is so big in Belgium.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Poliça ("Driving").

32 – Noah Gundersen (Beneath Oceans, Young In The City, Glorietta) Oct 11, 2019

At just 30 years old, Noah Gundersen has already managed to accomplish more than most musicians do in a lifetime. The Seattle-based singer and songwriter has put out more than a dozen albums and EPs, which have been heard millions upon millions of times. His music has been featured on popular TV shows like Sons Of Anarchy, The Vampire Diaries, The Following and Nashville. He's roved the planet to play concerts to passionate audiences everywhere. Long before he was an accomplished artist though, Gundersen was a homeschooled kid from a religious family who tried to combat his loneliness and boredom by teaching himself to play guitar.

Recently, prior to a show at The Back Room @ Colectivo, Gundersen met My First Band host Tyler Maas backstage for a fun and informative discussion about his formative musical endeavors. After talking about accidentally releasing a record called Lover the exact same day Taylor Swift dropped an album with the same name, Gundersen opened up about self-recording a batch of cringe-inducing songs when he was 13, finding early inspiration from bands like Pedro The Lion and Dashboard Confessional, forming "terrible" emo bands in his teens, playing shows in a friend's garage in his small Washington hometown, and making the decision to fully commit to a solo project.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Noah Gundersen ("Lover").

31 – Andy Slania (The Eradicator, ATFO, Tension Generation) Oct 04, 2019

You might know Andy Slania from ... actually, you probably don't know him because, when he takes the stage, he's simply known as The Eradicator. The Chicago hardcore band that's based on a 25-year-old sketch from The Kids In The Hall has quickly made a name for itself in the punk world with hilarious and high-caliber shows throughout the country (and Australia) and two great releases — plus an awesome new record that came out today. When he's not wearing a ski mask and clutching a squash racquet as the brash front man of The Eradicator, Slania is a mild-mannered and pleasant guy with a ska-punk past.

Recently, in advance of the release of Peak Eradicator, Slania invited My First Band host Tyler Maas to X-Ray Arcade — which he co-owns with Direct Hit! singer Nick Woods and others — to discuss The Eradicator's latest record, the inspiration behind the project and everything that came before. Over the course of the lengthy conversation, Slania talked about his formative shows as part of bands like ATFO and Tension Generation in the suburbs of Chicago, starting a label that put out more than 30 releases, once having Rise Against open for him during one of their first shows, and the brief and beautiful blip that was Galactic Cannibal. At one point, someone at X-Ray also turns on a power saw for a few seconds.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), ATFO ("I'm A Nerd"), and The Eradicator ("Imma Be Me").

30 – Justin Perkins (The Obsoletes, Yesterday's Kids, The Screwballs) Sep 27, 2019

Even if you don't know who Justin Perkins is, you're more than likely aware of his work. Perkins owns and operates Mystery Room Mastering, a Milwaukee-based business that masters a wide variety of Wisconsin (and Midwestern) releases, as well as albums from the likes of The Replacements, Bash & Pop, The Mr. T Experience, and many other acts from all around the world. But long before he was working on records for some outstanding bands, he was in a few of his own amazing musical projects.

Recently, Perkins allowed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his basement studio (a.k.a. "Mystery Room East") for a long and informative discussion about the interesting and nuanced field of mastering, as well as his decades of experience on-stage playing in bands like Yesterday's Kids, Obsoletes, and stints with Screeching Weasel, Tommy Stinson's Bash & Pop project, and many other notable outfits. Along the way, Perkins talked about forming a band with his babysitter and his time working at the legendary (and now-closed) Smart Studios in Madison. Meanwhile, Maas reminisced about being a huge Yesterday's Kids fan in high school.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Bradford 2020: A Charity Calendar. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Yesterday's Kids ("Nothing Gold Can Stay"), and Obsoletes ("Wish It Never Came").

29 – William Seidel (Decibully, The Promise Ring, Dramatic Lovers, Camden) Sep 20, 2019

William "B.J." Seidel wears a lot of hats. He's owner of a celebrated beer-focused bar called Burnhearts, and he co-owns Goodkind, a nationally-regarded fine dining restaurant. He's also the lead singer and guitarist of a new Milwaukee supergroup called Dramatic Lovers. However, most Midwestern music aficionados probably know Seidel best for his work in seminal Milwaukee groups like Camden, The Promise Ring and Decibully. Aside from a short gap after Decibully and before Dramatic Lovers, Seidel has been a celebrated fixture in Milwaukee music since he moved to this city in the mid-'90s. But his musical journey actually starts much earlier.

Prior to Dramatic Lovers' performance at this weekend's Bay View Bash, Seidel met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas to talk about forming the short-lived Billy Jehovah & The Pigeon Boys (which quickly became "Faceless Neighbors") as a high schooler in Racine, Wisconsin, and truly getting started in Milwaukee's music scene with a band called Matthew's Uncle. Over the course of the conversation, Seidel, who, coincidentally, is Maas' landlord, talked about touring with Death Cab For Cutie and Jimmy Eat World, playing on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, being robbed and desperate for shows in Europe, being referenced in the first Duplass Brothers film (and playing shows with Mark Duplass), and much more.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Bradford 2020: A Charity Calendar. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Decibully ("On The Way To Your Hotel") and Dramatic Lovers ("How Do You Want To Be Remembered").

28 – Chris Sutter (Meat Wave, Truman & His Trophy, Winter Is Broken) Sep 13, 2019

Chris Sutter wanted a drum set. His father, however, decided to buy him an acoustic guitar and a book of AC/DC tabs instead. Though his percussive aspirations never came to be, the future Meat Wave front man made the most of the situation by starting a nameless basement project with a friend in middle school, then a full-fledged band in high school that he's not exactly eager to look back on. Graduation found new influences and collaborators coming Sutter's way, which brought about the formation of Truman & His Trophy — a band that brought the suburban Chicago kid to the Windy City proper to join the city's vibrant music scene. Then along came Meat Wave.

Prior to playing a show at X-Ray Arcade, Sutter joined My First Band host Tyler Maas on the Cudahy, Wisconsin, venue's patio to talk about his musical origin and his embarrassing stint in an emo band, early shows at roller rinks and malls, Meat Wave's Onion-influenced name, and getting to tour with Hot Snakes and play shows in Europe. Along the way, Sutter discusses the band's forthcoming album and his affinity for Boulevard Brewing's American Kolsch, and Maas talks about the approximately 2,000 times he's seen Meat Wave play live.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Bradford 2020: A Charity Calendar. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Truman & His Trophy ("Jake Babe") and Meat Wave ("Run You Out").

27 – Soren Staff (Them Coulee Boys) Sep 06, 2019

If you don't know Them Coulee Boys yet, you will soon. The Eau-Claire-based bluegrass outfit just released its outstanding sophomore album, Die Happy, two weeks ago, and they're about to embark on a lengthy U.S. tour. Just days after the up-and-coming band put out its long-awaited record and just before officially hitting the road, Them Coulee Boys dropped by Turner Hall to play a one-off show in support of its new album. Before that concert, singer-guitarist Soren Staff was kind enough to talk about Die Happy and the unlikely turn of events that led to him trying to make a career in music with Them Coulee Boys.

Staff met My First Band host Tyler Maas in the Turner Hall balcony before the Aug. 30 outing to talk about the process of making the "all killer, no filler" (both Maas' and Sum 41's words) record with one of his musical idols and his band's plans for the near future. He also told Maas about his start as the singer of a Fall-Out-Boy-adjacent band in a rural Wisconsin town with a population of 400 and exactly no music scene before he moved to Milwaukee to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. Along the way, he picked up an acoustic guitar, fell in love with folk, and the rest was history. This episode also features a cameo from past guest Joseph Huber, who started his soundcheck during the interview, and some ice bucket interference in the Turner Hall green room. Interruptions aside, this was an interesting and fun one!

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Them Coulee Boys ("Die Happy").

26 – Ryan Necci (Buffalo Gospel, Fat Maw Rooney) Aug 30, 2019

Though country fans throughout the Midwest know Ryan Necci as the singer and founding member of Buffalo Gospel, the bandleader actually got his start as a percussionist. While growing up in the small town of Ixonia, Wisconsin, Necci first got behind a drum kit in middle school to play with a group called The Flying Monkeys, before spending his high school years covering Limp Bizkit (and writing some regrettable originals) with a band called Bangkok. From there, he spent some time with a popular western Wisconsin jam band called Fat Maw Rooney, which is where he started to sing and write songs of his own — thus paving the way for him to take center stage with a project that became Buffalo Gospel.

Between tours and during a day off from his new career as a professional songwriter, Necci met My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters. There, they talked about Necci's percussive past, buying a band bong with the money from his first paying gig, touring the jam-band circuit in his 20s, the unlikely beginnings of Buffalo Gospel and how music helped him work through the grief of losing one of his best friends and bandmates. Oh, and Maas and Necci also talked about going to a Golden Girls-themed drag show together.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Fat Maw Rooney ("River Love Blues") and Buffalo Gospel ("High Time To Hang Fire").

25 – Chris Conley (Saves the Day, Indifference, Sefler) Aug 23, 2019

Technically, Chris Conley has only been in one band in his life — and what a band it is! In their 20-plus years as a band, Saves The Day has toured the world many times over, released nine studio albums and made some deeply influential music that has helped define a genre. Before he was the lead singer, founding member and bandleader of the band the world knows as Saves The Day, Conley was a teenager in Princeton, New Jersey, who set aside his classical training in cello in favor of a guitar. While in middle school, Conley started a band known as Indifference, which was later called Sefler and, eventually, Saves The Day.

Earlier this month, when Saves The Day was in Milwaukee as part of a tour with Joyce Manor, Conley took some time before the show to meet My First Band host Tyler Maas in the Turner Hall Ballroom balcony and revisit his long-running project's interesting origin. There, the singer talked about playing with future emo and hardcore heavyweights in New Jersey's then-unproven DIY scene, getting signed when he was still in high school, recording Through Being Cool over a 13-day span over his winter break in college and being faced with the choice to either continue his education or seriously pursue music. Over the course of the conversation, Conley explains the importance Bane had on his band's success and Maas makes exactly no effort to hide how much he loves Saves The Day.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Saves The Day ("1997" and "Suzuki").

24 – SistaStrings (Monique and Chauntee Ross) Aug 16, 2019

Even though SistaStrings just released its debut EP this summer, its members have (quite literally) been playing music as long as they can remember. Siblings Monique and Chauntee Ross started playing string instruments before they were in grade school. As children in a church family who were also raised on classical music, they learned a wide variety of gospel and orchestral songs. Along with two of their older sisters, Monique and Chauntee spent much of their youth plying their early experience in a band that played enough church gigs, festivals and corporate events to fund their education. In recent years, they decided to blend their varying areas of expertise with their own material to start SistaStrings.

After getting back from tour and before a flurry of local shows, Monique and Chauntee came by Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk to My First Band host Tyler Maas about what SistaStrings is up to, as well as everything that came before. While drinking a few cans of Boulevard Jam Band, the trio had a light, fun and interesting talk that gave a great glimpse into the Ross' musical background ... and took a few enjoyable turns along the way.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Marcus Center's "Live At Peck Pavilion" summer entertainment series. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and SistaStrings ("Good Bye" and "Shea Butter Dreams").

23 – Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso, Decibully, Made of Oak) Aug 09, 2019

You might know Nick Sanborn as one half of Sylvan Esso, from his time in Milwaukee's own Decibully or from his work in side projects like Made of Oak and Rosenau & Sanborn. Long before any of that, however, Sanborn was a kid in Madison, Wisconsin, who was involved in his school's orchestra before picking up a bass guitar and deciding to start a band of his own. Since that start in a high school group called Point B, he made his way to Milwaukee and quickly became a fixture in the city's music scene before branching out to be part of touring acts and developing his solo efforts.

While he was in Milwaukee to rehearse for the Rosenau & Sanborn show at The Back Room @ Colectivo, Sanborn met My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about his musical outset, early tours with Decibully, landing in Headlights and Megafaun, the random set of circumstances that allowed him to meet (and subsequently collaborate with) Amelia Meath, and what it's like to have his band's music play notable parts in films and television shows.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Rushmor Records. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Decibully ("My Lighter And Strings"), and Sylvan Esso ("Die Young").

22 – Sarah Vos (Dead Horses) Aug 02, 2019

This week’s guest is Sarah Vos of Dead Horses. The singer, guitarist, and founding member of the up-and-coming Americana/bluegrass outfit continually tours the country to play concerts at bars, theaters, festivals, amphitheaters, and everywhere in between. Prior to hitting the road yet again and before September’s Dead Horses show with The Who at Alpine Valley and headlining outing at Pabst Theater, Vos managed to squeeze enough time out of her perpetually-packed schedule to meet up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about what her modern day musical happenings, and everything that came before.

Vos talked about new happenings and spending roughly 150 days a year on the road before telling Maas about growing up in Oshkosh, playing her first open mic at a religious venue in middle school, starting a high school band called Ocean View, and how the start of Dead Horses came at just the right time in her life. Along the way, the two Fox Cities expats made some pretty specific Oshkosh references, cracked a few cans of Boulevard’s Jam Band, and had some fun asides.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Dead Horses (“Birds Can Write The Chorus”).

21 – JP Harris (JP Harris and the Tough Choices, Flat Iron String Band) Jul 26, 2019

JP Harris is less than a year removed from putting out his third full-length solo record, Sometimes Dogs Bark At Nothing. On top of releasing outstanding records, the established Nashville country music staple tours relentlessly. Oh, and he might have the most interesting backstory of all-time. Born in Alabama, Harris moved to Las Vegas in adolescence (where he discovered music and started a punk band) before leaving home at 14 years of age to move to Oakland. From there, he spent some time at an Arizona desert commune, rode the rails and hitchhiked throughout the nation, and finally wound up settling in a remote cabin without electricity or running water in Vermont. It was there that he learned to play banjo and fell in love with traditional Appalachian string music. That set the stage for his Flat Iron String Band and, later, Harris' solo project.

Back in June, during one of the tireless musician's many tours, Harris invited My First Band host Tyler Maas into his to van to talk about his path from Sin City punk kid to up-and-coming country artist. Amid the steady sound of raindrops falling outside and jets passing over the X-Ray Arcade, Harris graciously shared his incomparable life story, his thoughts on the modern-day music industry, his path to his thoughtful songwriting approach, his disdain for most of the internet and the sage advice he gleaned from Lena Dunham of all people.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Flat Iron String Band ("Mustache Max") and JP Harris ("When I Quit Drinking").

20 – Brett Newski (Brett Newski & The No Tomorrow, The Nod, Three Blocks to Murdock) Jul 19, 2019

Brett Newski has been called the "loudest acoustic act ever," and that might not be an overstatement. Since embarking on his solo project in his late 20s, the tireless troubadour has earned a reputation as one of Wisconsin's — if not one of the Midwest's — hardest-working musicians. That wouldapproach has given Newski the opportunity to tour internationally on numerous occasions and play shows in massive venues with internationally known acts like the Pixies, Violent Femmes, Barenaked Ladies, Manchester Orchestra, New Pornographers, Better Than Ezra and countless others. Along the way, he's also endured his fair share of hardships during his "crusty adventures," including having his equipment stolen, enduring some super sketchy shows, and falling ill in Asia. Through the highs and lows, he's stayed positive and he's managed to make a living solely as a touring musician.

During one of his rare spells of relative inactivity, Newski met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters. There, the two talked about the singer-songwriter's experiences playing the world over, his humble start as a kid learning to play music and all the astounding experiences that came in between. Newski talked about rocking the suburbs in his first band, playing basketball at UW-Eau Claire, moving to Madison and being in a popular college band, eking out a living writing jingles while living in Vietnam (including a tampon ad), and moving back to the states to play hundreds of shows a year ... before ultimately burning out and learning to adjust his approach.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Brett Newski ("Devil's Haircut") and Three Blocks To Murdock ("Corner").

19 – Sean Tillmann (Har Mar Superstar, Calvin Krime, Heart Bones) Jul 12, 2019

This week's guest is Sean Tillmann. You probably know him much better as Har Mar Superstar. The Minneapolis music legend has made a name for himself throughout the Midwest — and far beyond — with his entertaining and ever-changing material. He's written songs with mainstream pop stars. He's made cameos in films like Whip It and Pitch Perfect, on TV shows like Broad City, and he currently leads the "Skeleton Crew" on Netflix's Mystery Science Theater 3000. Last year, he also found the time to start a great new project called Heart Bones. Before any of that, though, Tillmann was a kid growing up in the small town of Owatonna, Minnesota with an insatiable passion for music.

Prior to his performance at last month's PrideFest Milwaukee festivities, Tillmann was kind enough to invite My First Band host Tyler Maas to join him in his car for an interview about his musical beginnings. There, Tillmann talked about winning the coveted "Ole Of The Day Award" from Taco John's, his upbringing in a musical family, renting VFW halls and park chalets for shows in middle school as part of bands with names like Chinchilla Hardware and Loaded, getting serious about music in his high school band Calvin Krime (which toured with Fred Armisen's band), as well as the unusual and unexpected turn of events that set Har Mar Superstar into motion.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Calvin Krime ("Die Beautiful"), and Har Mar Superstar ("Lady, You Shot Me").

18 – Scott Schoenbeck (Dashboard Confessional, Promise Ring, Alligator Gun) Jul 05, 2019

If you've watched Dashboard Confessional at any point in the past 17 years, you've surely seen Scott Schoenbeck. Though the bassist has traveled the world and shared the stage with some of the planet's biggest bands as a supporting member of Chris Carrabba's popular project, Schoenbeck has been involved with a few other notable acts long before he joined up with Dashboard.

A few weeks before Dashboard Confessional's headlining set at Summerfest, Schoenbeck stopped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to tell host Tyler Maas about starting out in a Waukesha-based band called Cleveland Bound Death Sentence in the late '80s, before finding some success with Alligator Gun in the '90s, and latching on with Pele and The Promising Ring thereafter. They also talked about his current work in projects like Rx Drugs and Mini Meltdowns, and the events that led to him become part of Dashboard Confessional.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Rushmor Records. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers"), Cleveland Bound Death Sentence ("The Struggle"), and Alligator Gun ("Sinker").

17 – Margaret Butler and Nick Ziemann (GGOOLLDD, Number One Fan, The Wildbirds) Jun 28, 2019

Before GGOOLLDD formed and made its rapid ascent to Midwestern music supremacy, members of Milwaukee's — and now Baton Rouge, Louisiana's — premier party-pop project had significantly different artistic aspirations. During the band's return to Milwaukee prior to their June 28 headlining set at Summerfest, singer Margaret Butler and bassist Nick Ziemann met up with host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters to talk about the group's unlikely start as a one-off Halloween party act that turned into much, much more.

As they took down a few Boulevard beers apiece, the trio talked about Ziemann's obsession with guitar as a home-schooled kid in Northeast Wisconsin, which he put to use in Number One Fan — a band that played shows with Maas' high school group and signed a deal with a Universal Records subsidiary — as well as The Wildbirds and Hugh Bob & The Hustle. At that same time, Butler was living in a trailer in Louisiana and teaching herself to play guitar (in exactly the wrong way) by listening to Death Cab For Cutie before the pair forged a long-distance relationship. Once united and settled into life in Milwaukee, Butler formed GGOOLLDD and ... eventually let Ziemann join her venture. The rest was history.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and Kesslers Diamonds. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Number One Fan ("Come On"), and GGOOLLDD ("GGOOLLDD").

16 – Cedric LeMoyne (Remy Zero, Alanis Morissette, Gnarls Barkley) Jun 21, 2019

You probably recognize the bass lines of Cedric LeMoyne in songs by Alanis Morissette and Gnarls Barkley. You might be aware of his work with his new band, Milwaukee’s own Rose of the West. However, LeMoyne’s first band also wasn’t too shabby. Remy Zero — a group he started with friends when he was a teenager living in Alabama — was signed by a major label, dropped by said label, scooped up by another major, relocated to Los Angeles and put on tours with the likes of Radiohead, Travis and many more mainstream music heavyhitters while they waited their turn for rock and roll superstardom. That turn ultimately never came, but along the way, Remy Zero wrote the theme for Smallville, had a song on the Garden State soundtrack, toured the world and collected a ton of amazing stories.

Following a session with Morissette and prior to what has the makings of a busy summer for Rose of the West, LeMoyne stopped by Milwaukee Record headquarters to tell host Tyler Maas about his uncommon and incredible experience with his first band, as well as how he wound up in Alanis’ arsenal, what it was like to be a part of Gnarls Barkley at the height of their popularity and the band management philosophy he puts into play with acts like Warpaint and his own project.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Remy Zero (“Save Me”), and Rose Of The West (“Roads”).

15 – Brendan Kelly (Slapstick, The Broadways, The Lawrence Arms) Jun 14, 2019

Chicago punk-rock legend Brendan Kelly is probably best known for his work with The Lawrence Arms, his previous output in Slapstick and The Broadways, and the hilariously bleak things he tweets as his “Nihilist Arby’s” internet alter ego. Additionally, Kelly bolsters his sterling musical reputation with The Falcon and the misunderstood masterpiece that is his Brendan Kelly and The Wandering Birds solo endeavor. While you likely know and possibly love at least one of those bands, you almost certainly have no awareness of Kelly's preceding projects like Vegetable Train, J.P.B and Gladhand.

Kelly recently met My First Band host Tyler Maas in the back room at Gman Tavern in Chicago, where the two talked about the prominent punk rocker's modern-day material, writing songs like "Nuts, Nuts, We Want Nuts" as a grade schooler, playing his first shows in high school, the unexpected rise (and rapid fall) of Slapstick, making kids cry tears of disappointment in The Broadways, and The Lawrence Arms' slow build over the course of their 20 years together. Kelly and Maas both also spent some time discussing the important role Mike Park, of Dill Records and Asian Man Records, played in their musical past.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Slapstick ("February One") and Brendan Kelly and The Wandering Birds ("Black Cat Boy").

14 – Joseph Huber (The Rogues, .357 String Band) Jun 07, 2019

Before he made a name for himself in roots and Americana music as the front man and primary songwriter of a band that bears his name, Joseph Huber was a punk kid living in the country. While growing up on the outskirts of New London, Wisconsin, the mohawked Huber learned how to play guitar on an Ibanez before spending much of his high school years playing in The Inserts and writing regrettable songs in The Rogues. After moving to Milwaukee for college, Huber hit it off with Jayke Orvis and the rest was history.

Prior to leaving for a West Coast tour and shortly before the release of his forthcoming album, Moondog, Huber joined host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record headquarters and told him about his formative shows in northeast Wisconsin, regretting some of his early songwriting decisions, teaching himself banjo in exactly the wrong way and how .357 String Band formed and subsequently took the Milwaukee music scene by storm.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), The Rogues ("Reading Is Dumb") and Joseph Huber ("Rivers Of Smoke").

13 – Samiam May 31, 2019

Over the course of the band's 30-plus-year existence, Samiam has done it all. Since starting out on Gilman Street in the late '80s, the legendary punk band has released eight influential albums and a mess of excellent EPs. They've toured extensively, played all over the world, spent time on a major label and shared the stage with some of the planet's biggest bands. Though the band has experienced some lineup changes and members have become involved in lots of other bands along the way, Samiam is still going strong.

Earlier this month, when Samiam came to The Back Room @ Colectivo to play its first Milwaukee show in more than 15 years, four members of the band spoke to My First Band host Tyler Maas. While opener Off With Their Heads prepared to play and folks filed into the venue, Sergie Loobkov, Sean Kennerly, Chad Darby and Jason Beebout allowed Maas to come backstage, where they told him about all the projects that came before (and after) this artistic endeavor, the start of Samiam, the interesting way Darby wound up in the band, touring Asia with Green Day post-Dookie, their disdain for major labels and what keeps them making music together after all these years.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Samiam ("Wisconsin").

12 – Mary Joy (Fox Face, Saebra & Carlyle, Witch Bolt) May 24, 2019

If you live in or around Wisconsin and you like punk and garage rock, you're probably familiar with Mary Joy's work in Fox Face. The Dirtnap Records band has toured Europe, played SXSW and has rightfully earned a spot as one of Milwaukee music's heavy-hitters. On top of her work in that project, Joy also plays bass in Saebra & Carlyle and she just started a new band called Witch Bolt. Oh yeah, and she's also an invaluable figure in the Ladies Rock Milwaukee organization.

Prior to Riverwest FemFest, which features all three of her bands, Joy came to Milwaukee Record headquarters to discuss the importance of the festival before talking about growing up as a ska kid in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. After taking in some of her first shows at Mission Coffee House, Joy formed a high school band called Nobody's Housewife before (briefly) moving to New Orleans for college and almost instantly being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. She wound up in Milwaukee, playing in bands like International Datelines, Pussy Collector and The Olives — and the rest is history.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and PrideFest Milwaukee. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Nobody's Housewife ("Sold" and "Devil Eyes").

11 – Bad Cop/Bad Cop May 17, 2019

Though the members have all been involved in a variety of projects through the years, Bad Cop/Bad Cop seems like a case of the right band with the right people happening at the right time in life. The Fat Wreck Chords foursome just finished headlining a European tour and they're currently wrapping up a U.S. and Canada jaunt before heading back to California to continue their quest for world domination one great album at a time. Before Bad Cop/Bad Cop's recent concert at X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy, two of the band's members invited My First Band host Tyler Maas up to the club's green room to discuss everything that preceded this project.

While their tourmates in War On Women finished up their soundcheck, Jennie Cotterill and Stacey Dee — both singers and guitarists — talked about what led them to their eventual decisions to take up music. Cotterill talked about growing up in the Midwest before moving to California after high school and eventually pursuing a career in art that's included work on Parks & Recreation and Metalocalypse. Meanwhile, Dee spoke about taking up guitar and making a name for herself in Angry Amputees (as featured on Tony Hawk's Underground), Compton SF and playing in a short-lived band called Park Royal during her stint in London. Both members also talked about how much Bad Cop/Bad Cop means to them and what the band is working on at the moment. Oh, and stick around for a quick cameo from some War On Women members at the end of the episode.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Angry Amputees ("She Said") and Bad Cop/Bad Cop ("I'm Done").

10 – Deanna Belos (Sincere Engineer) May 10, 2019

In the roughly year-and-a-half span since her project, Sincere Engineer, released Rhombithian — the band’s debut album — on Red Scare Industries, Deanna Belos has earned heaps of attention and praise from music publications and punk audiences alike. Along the way, the Chicago singer-songwriter got the opportunity to open for notable acts, tour the country, play some huge festivals in Montreal and Florida, and hit the road with her idols in The Lawrence Arms.

Belos recently met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas at a room he'd reserved at a public library in Elmwood Park, Illinois. There, they discussed their shared love of Norm Macdonald, and Deanna talked about Sincere Engineer's exciting 2018, teaching herself Alkaline Trio and Lawrence Arms songs as a teenager in suburban Chicago, her soon-to-be-released beer, and how giving a stranger a ride unknowingly started a chain of events that led to a record deal. Along the way, there were lots of fun deviations and the repeated realization they were doing this interview in a public library.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and and PrideFest Milwaukee. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Sincere Engineer ("Ghosts In The Graveyard").

9 – Josh Caterer (The Smoking Popes, Jackson Mud) May 03, 2019

Few have heard of Josh Caterer's first band — Speedstick — but after a name change and a swap of drummers, that band, now The Smoking Popes, quickly made a name for themselves in the early '90s Chicago punk scene. The Smoking Popes toured relentlessly, signed to Capitol Records and even appeared on the Clueless soundtrack. The band would break up in 1998 after four studio albums but reunited in 2005 and have put out an additional four albums, including 2018's "Into the Agony."

Caterer recently invited My First Band host Tyler Maas into his on-the-market home in Elmwood Park, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The 47-year-old front man, who is also a worship pastor at a nearby church, updated fans on his current projects before discussing coming up in a musical family along with his two bandmate brothers, discovering punk rock thanks to his cousin's record collection and learning that his ability to hear a song and almost immediately play it on guitar was unique. Caterer also discussed the benefits and pitfalls of stalkers, the influence traditional pop singers had on his singing style, and a special moment he shared with the other Smoking Popes on the roof of Capitol Records.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Smoking Popes ("Simmer Down").

8 – Nick Woods (Direct Hit!, The Box Social) Apr 26, 2019

Before Nick Woods was the singer, guitarist and founding member of Direct Hit! and the co-owner of X-Ray Arcade, the punk rock front man and all-ages venue owner/operator was a suburban kid with an insatiable passion for music. The journey that started with taking violin lessons from his mother as a child led to learning guitar in adolescence, starting bands as a teen and touring the country to play music during his college breaks.

Woods recently welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas to X-Ray Arcade to talk about the new business, the influence his guitar teacher had on him, playing in a nu metal cover band, discovering punk rock, learning how to book cross-country tours, his decision to eventually take the lead in a group and how Direct Hit! went from being a jokey side project to a pop-punk sensation on the Fat Wreck Chords roster.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Box Social ("Blown To Bits").

7 – Restorations Apr 19, 2019

Even though this is technically the seventh My First Band episode, this was the first interview recorded for the show ... by a long shot. Last October, host Tyler Maas asked Restorations if any members wanted to be interviewed for the yet-unnamed show when the band came to Cactus Club in Milwaukee to play in support of their recently released masterpiece, LP5000. Despite the whole "podcast not actually existing" thing, two members of the Philadelphia rock outfit graciously agreed to sit down to talk about some of their early work.

Restorations bassist Dan Zimmerman and guitarist/keyboardist Ben Pierce met Maas in the venue's green room before their show last year. There, Zimmerman talked about growing up in small-town Pennsylvania and Pierce discussed starting out in New Jersey before both were brought to Philadelphia to be part of a number of bands in the city's vibrant D.I.Y. music scene. Along the way, the bandmates mentioned early shows in churches and skating rinks, they reminisced about CD-R demos, and everyone gave a ringing endorsement to Sticker Guy.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Highlites ("Homework") and Arms Of Orion ("First Round K.O.").

6 – Amos Pitsch (Tenement, Dusk) Apr 12, 2019

You might know Amos Pitsch as the singer of Tenement, a Northeastern Wisconsin punk band that garnered national acclaim after releasing the 2015 double-album masterpiece, Predatory Headlights. Maybe you know him as a member of Dusk, an up-and-coming Fox Cities project that's quickly making a name for itself in the Midwest (and beyond) on the heels of last year's self-titled debut full-length. However, you probably don't know Pitsch from his time in Obvious Man Hands, Social Classics, The Waffles or any of his other early musical endeavors.

Pitsch recently welcomed My First Band host Tyler Maas into his Crutch Of Memory Studios to talk about making Predatory Headlights in a dilapidated home without running water, the formation of Dusk, and how he'll always be chasing the feeling he got from playing drums in a band with his cousins when he was in grade school. They discussed Appleton's burgeoning music scene, and they spent some time reminiscing as well. Coincidentally, Maas' one and only band actually played shows with Pitsch's band, Social Classics, more than 15 years ago. Come for Pitsch's incomparable musical insight, stay for the Blue Moon Cafe (RIP) and Valley Fair Mall (RIP) references.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Waffles (two untitled songs).

5 – Mike Krol (Mike Krol, Spazmatics, The Reactants) Apr 05, 2019

Before he was the front man, bandleader and namesake of a Los Angeles-based project on the Merge Records roster, Mike Krol was a Wauwatosa teen who loved ska. Recently, while in Milwaukee to play a homecoming show in support of his latest/greatest album, Power Chords, Krol met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas to talk about his very early musical endeavors.

In a studio space that was kindly offered to them by WMSE, Krol openly talked about his "checkered past" in suburban ska projects like Spazmatics and The Reactants, recording a demo at UW-Oshkosh, playing shows in churches, his short-lived Saved By The Bell tribute band called The Lark Voorhies, and the impetus of his solo venture (which he almost named "World Denominators"). Before setting out on the European leg of the Power Chords tour, Krol also sent us a few Reactants songs to play at the end of the episode, including a never-before-heard demo about his high school teacher's hairstyle.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and PrideFest Milwaukee. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and The Reactants ("Mrs. Ward" and "Screw You").

4 – Jackson Bradford (Masked Intruder, Direct Hit!, Mindframe) Mar 29, 2019

Jackson Bradford might have the most interesting job in music. The Milwaukee native spends at least half of each year wearing a cop costume and short-shorts while sporting a mustache as part of his lovable “heel with a switch” character that Masked Intruder fans know as “Officer Bradford.” The pop-punk villain’s unique line of work has taken him to Europe, Asia, Australia, and much of North America. Currently, Bradford's punk rock patrol is taking him all around the country, as Masked Intruder is on a tour in support of their new album, III.

Before he hit the road (and prior to Masked Intruder's April 2 show at Turner Hall), Officer Bradford met up with My First Band host Tyler Maas to discuss his charity calendar and all of the ... more conventional bands that came before he landed his unique role in Masked Intruder. Bradford talked about his Masked Intruder origin, then got into his time in unheralded suburban Milwaukee acts like Mindframe and Leafrust before being tabbed as the original bassist for Direct Hit!

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and PrideFest Milwaukee. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), Mindframe ("Outbreak"), and Leafrust ("Still Love Me In Heaven").

3 – Kyle Kinane (comedy, The Grand Marquis) Mar 22, 2019

Though you probably know Kyle Kinane as a comedian, actor and "the voice of Comedy Central," the prolific stand-up first took the stage in a musical capacity. That's right! Before earning a reputation as one of the funniest comedians working today, Kinane was the guitarist for an Addison, Illinois-based pop-punk band called The Grand Marquis. Even though the band hasn't played since the early 2000s, Kinane — a proud punk rock aficionado to this day — still looks back fondly on his stint in the band.

Last week, during a run of shows at Comedy On State, Kinane met up with host Tyler Maas to discuss his path to music. He talked about what it was like seeing Screeching Weasel for the first time in his early teens, his decision to pick up a guitar, when he realized comedy was a better artistic pursuit for him and what it was like to tour with The Falcon and Arms Aloft. Thankfully, the conversation also took tons of hilarious tangents along the way. Plus, Tyler tried (and absolutely failed) to make a joke about jam bands.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), and The Grand Marquis ("Elvis Papers").

2 – Dan Didier (The Promise Ring, Maritime, Dramatic Lovers) Mar 15, 2019

Another week, another prolific percussionist who got his start in Grafton, Wisconsin. This time around, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dan Didier. The drummer (and current keyboard/synth player in Dramatic Lovers) is best known for his work in The Promise Ring. Before his tenure in the legendary emo outfit and the subsequent Maritime, Didier cut his teeth in unknown projects like Proud, Peace Loving Anarchists and an especially short-lived band called Dog. At least he thinks it was called Dog.

Over the course of the conversation, Didier tells host Tyler Maas about his mother signing him up for drum lessons as a child in an effort to combat is anxiousness, learning the ins and outs of touring in his high school band Ceilishrine, hosting a college radio show with Eric Szmanda of CSI, and the experience in Europe recording what he knew would be the final Promise Ring album. Along the way, Didier talks about being in bands with people who’d go on to play in Braid and Arcade Fire, and Maas makes a bunch of dad jokes that Didier graciously laughs at.

My First Band is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing and is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. Music used in this show comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”), drawback (“Immortal Mass”) and Ceilishrine (“Projection System”).

Bonus Clip: Jon Phillip on Starting a Band With Dustin Diamond Mar 12, 2019

Here's some bonus material to go along with Episode 1!

My First Band host Tyler Maas unearthed a 2015 interview with Episode 1 guest Jon Phillip in which the drummer explains how he very nearly joined a band called Junky Muppets that was started by actor Dustin Diamond. Diamond, of course, is best-known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers in the popular '90s television show Saved By The Bell, but apparently, he is also an accomplished five-string bassist. The former teen star has been embroiled in financial and legal troubles for several years, but who knows how things would have turned out if he would have teamed up with Phillip in '01...

1 – Jon Phillip (Limbeck, The Benjamins, Tommy Stinson) Mar 08, 2019

With an infectious personality and a flashy style behind the drums, Jon Phillip has laid down beats for nearly a dozen different bands since he first picked up the sticks in the early '90s.

Phillip's first bands — Tralfez and Spank Child — were based in the rural town of Grafton, Wisconsin, where he grew up. He then joined the up-and-coming power-pop group the Benjamins, who would go on to sign with Drive-Thru Records and tour the country several times over.

Following the Benjamins, Phillip briefly played in the Nice Outfit before forming the roots rock band the Obsoletes with Justin Perkins and Tim Schweiger, who previously played together in Yesterday's Kids.

Phillip went on to drum for the alt-country band Limbeck, of Doghouse Records. And the prolific drummer has since played with a string of other nationally known acts, including Berwanger, the Wildbirds, Screeching Weasel, Paul Collins Beat, Trapper Schoepp and Tommy Stinson. Stinson, of course, is known for being a member of both the Replacements and Guns & Roses.

Phillip is now fronting the punk group Mini Meltdowns, which features Scott Schoenbeck (Promise Ring, Dashboard Confessional and Rx Drugs) on bass. Phillip also runs Good Land Records, an independent record label, from his Nashville home.

My First Band – Preview Mar 02, 2019

My First Band debuts this Friday! Check out a clip from our Episode 1 guest, Jon Phillip, in this short preview. Phillip has drummed for Limbeck, The Benjamins, Paul Collins, Tommy Stinson and many other projects. In the short clip, Phillip describes the night The Benjamins went out to dinner with "The Coreys."

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