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 with host Tyler Maas 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”).