My First Band Podcast

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

102 – Elijah Wolf Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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