myfirstband

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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").

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'").

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").

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").

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").