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Local Spotlight - Swigfoot


local spotlight swigfoot tucson

Swigfoot is a band that is quickly making a name for themselves with their unique blend of high energy ska-punk.


Led by legendary musicians from notable bands like Hipster Daddyo & The Handgrenades, Troy's Bucket, & The Fauxriginals, the band brings a BIG brass sound that is sure to get audiences moving and grooving.


Unlike Bigfoot, you don't have to go on a wild goose chase to find Swigfoot. Just listen for the sound of the crowd sipping on their beverages and dancing to the band's BIG brass ska-punk beats.









Written by Bigfoot himself:


"Swigfoot ska/punk band. Band loud. Band sound like boom boom toot toot in forest. Swigfoot people: Tyler Rothe (me hear him sing and play string), Spencer O'Keefe (he shout like bear, make noise with shiny stick), Mike Schmidt (big slidey horn noise), Andy Shelton (make deep noise with long log), Ty Lebsack (poke big string), Thomas Avila Gonzalez (hit skin). Fun noise come from band, make feet stomp and body move. No need hunt like Bigfoot, find Swigfoot by following loud noise and people dance."


swigfoot tucson band

We asked Swigfoot 5 questions about their experiences as band in Tucson. Here's what they said:



What's your favorite venue to play in Tucson?

That's honestly a tricky question to answer. We're still in our infancy as last year was our first year as a band, and we were fortunate enough to play 25 shows all over town. Tucson treated us so well! All the venues and their staff have been more than accommodating, beyond friendly, and super supportive. Can't ask for much more than that!



What's the funniest thing that's happened during a performance?

Ha! So we were playing a Halloween show at Club Congress and we threw together a mashup of 7 of our favorite songs from the holiday. The second track of the mashup was "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. We wanted to bring it back full circle at the end of the song and Andy, our bari sax slayer, was going to have his vocal debut.


I don't think he'd said a single word into a microphone yet so we were all pumped for his "big moment." The part, of course, is Ray Parker Jr's infamous line, "bustin' makes me feel good!" The moment comes, the other five of us are eagerly waiting on the edge of our proverbial seats...and the song just ends. Andy was so in the moment, crushing all his sax solos, he simply forgot. No one else had any idea but to us that was pretty funny. It would have been equally hilarious if he sang those words as well.



What's your first memory as a musician?

Upon relaying this question to the group, we all pretty much responded with a paraphrased version of "wow, I really suck!"



What's your favorite song to perform?

Lately, our favorite track to perform is called "Whose Grandma?!?" We usually play it to close out our set. It's super fun and dancy - it's ska, it's reggae, it's pop punk, culminating with a horn hook that gets burned into your brain. I won't dive deep into the details but it's about the woman who's buried in our drummer's backyard.


I bet most people didn't know you could buy both a house and a new grandma, score! We just wrapped on recording the track and will be shooting our first music video for it shortly. If you happen to know a gaggle of grannies who are ready to skank, hit us up!



What's the best advice you've ever received?

This is another tough one that we mulled over for a bit. I think for me (Tyler), the best quote I've ever heard and try to live by as a musician is: "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." It's concise, it's simple, and it works.


 

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