My First Band Podcast

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

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 als

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 ha

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

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 Mona

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

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 reg

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

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

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, touri

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 discuss

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 sing

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 wi

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. Buckl

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.

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. M

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 w

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. T

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

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 ac