Vegas-based garage punk band Pet Tigers has a pretty strong Wisconsin connection. One half of the band, Liz Ofte, is from tiny Westby near LaCrosse, an actual farmer's daughter.
While Ofte and her bandmate Jeremy Keith are well-known in Las Vegas music scene, Saturday marks their first trip to Summerfest. They play at 4 p.m. at the Harley Roadhouse.
The duo, which is touring in support of its first album, spoke to OnMilwaukee.com by phone, minutes before hopping on a plane to Milwaukee.
OnMilwaukee.com: Are you ready for Pet Tigers’ first Milwaukee performance?
Liz Ofte: We are extremely excited, and it's great to coming back home. And for Jeremy and I, it's our first tour.
OMC: What a Pet Tigers live show like?
LO: Our live show is super exciting and very dance-y. We've had a lot of people who are like, "Man, you guys are like a party band. It's so fun to watch you guys, so much energy on stage."
Jeremy Keith: Yeah. There's definitely a little bit of punk in there, too. Just a little hint of that here and there.
OMC: And there's keytar?
LO: It’s just keytar, and then we have drums and then bass.
OMC: Did you really grow up on a farm, Liz?
LO: I’ve been in Las Vegas for seven years. But I grew up on a farm.
OMC: Do you draw on your time in rural western Wisconsin for your music
LO: All of that was helpful. I was in everything, jazz band, show choir, marching band. For me, I wouldn't be where I am musically if I wouldn't have had that background.
OMC: What is the Vegas life music scene like right now? Obviously, there's so much casino-driven stuff. Is there a good local live music scene?
JK: Yeah, it's pretty good out here. Bands come through here and get together with local bands and play downtown.
OMC: Obviously, Summerfest is the biggest music festival in the world, but do you think this is the biggest individual gig you've ever played?
LO: Definitely, yeah. People from Wisconsin know how to have fun and love new music, and we're excited to share that with them.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
