Personnel: Tim Knuth, guitar, vocals; John Axelberg, guitar, vocals; Liz Tate, bass, vocals; Bill Oakley Jr., drums.
Background: Formed in November 1990; originally known as the Merkins. “We found out there was a band called the Merkins in Cincinnati,” says Knuth. “We heard they had an album coming out, and we decided we better head it off at the pass.” Milwaukee native Knuth met Axelberg and Oakley in 1990. Their band the Rocket Scientists was breaking up because the lead singer was moving to California. Liz Tate-a former member of Barbie Army-joined the Troutwigs when bassist Mike Schlaker left the band in 1992, midway through the recording of “Outawata.”
Influences: “We all listen pretty widely,” says Knuth. “A lot of the stuff is not really reflected in the music. I love Captain Beefheart and Pere Ubu, but I don’t think the Troutwigs have anything to do with that, really. If there’s one thing that doesn’t have a lot of influence on our sound, it’s heavy-metal stuff. Even ’70s hard rock doesn’t play a big part in what we’re doing. It’s more melodic and pop-based than that.”
Day gigs: Oakley is a copywriter at an ad agency, Tate is a film editor, Knuth works in computer graphics. “We’re all in the media field, which gives us access to equipment and stuff that your average suburban high school band doesn’t have, so it’s been pretty easy to get fliers for shows and get press kits and stuff.”
Worst concert experience: The band performed at an outdoor festival in a park in South Bend, Ind. The Troutwigs set followed a series of classic-rock combos, at which point the audience was too mellow to care. “The beer truck was 300 yards from the stage,” says Knuth. “We got through one song and 500 people headed back toward the beer. There were around 10 people by the stage. South Bend was not ready for us, I guess. They came to hear bands play songs they already knew. The fourth band had played songs that the first band played. They were all drawing from the same 50 classic-rock songs.”
Prospects: “We would love to get signed to an independent label,” says Knuth. “It would be really nice to have someone pay for our records and break even on this whole venture. Everyone in the band is around 30 and fairly settled in serious jobs, so we’re not putting everything on the line to make the big time. Our goal is basically to not lose money by being in a band.”
Recordings: Current CD “Outawata” was released last July. “The tracks were in the can in January of last year, so I’m really ready to record again,” says Knuth. The CD is available at Tower Records and independent retailers throughout the city.
Next appearances: March 31 at Metro; April 23 at Elbo Room.
