My First Band Podcast

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

45 – Abby Jeanne Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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