ABOUT
The power of the great Facebook (and it's random music pages) brought four strangers together on a late Thursday afternoon and through a stroke of luck created what is today known as the Bad Taxidermy Band (or the Bad Tax Band for short). Casey and Nick had previously played together while Jackson and Ryan showed up completely by chance. Through mutual love of the band, The Black Keys, it was a perfect match and Bad Taxidermy was born. The band is currently playing venues across Green Bay, WI and the Fox Cities.
Bad Taxidermy gets it name from a different random Facebook page that lead singer Casey Schwartz was added to without warning. After an eventful night of scrolling through the ridiculous pictures it was decided the name "Bad Taxidermy" was too good not to pass up.
Blues, Funk, and Rock are the three genres that make up the majority of Bad Taxidermy's current set lists. Many bands that influence Bad Tax are from either 60s - 70s rock or early 2000's rock. These bands include but are not limited to The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Cake, John Mayer, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton.
The spirit and professionalism that the young members of Bad Tax bring to the stage is unmatched in current scene of locally-based live music. Bad Taxidermy continues to provide audiences and venues alike with a unique and fun experience that people of all ages are able to feel a part of. Anyone with an appreciation of rock based music that will make you want to party will love this group and their ways of controlling a room.
Please check out our shows page for our calendar of upcoming shows or our contact page to book Bad Taxidermy for your next event. We hope to see soon!
-Casey, Jackson, Nick, and Ryan
Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar Casey Schwartz
Years Playing: 13
Equipment:
Fender Stratocaster Guitars
Martin Acoustic Guitars
Shure Microphones
Beyond the Stage:
Casey Schwartz has been active in the Green Bay music scene since 2014, playing at a number of venues and occasionally hosting an open mic at the now defunct Gasoline bar on Broadway.
Drums Jackson Smith
Years Playing: 12
Equipment:
Ludwig Vistalite Drums
Ludwig Supraphonic and Acrolite Snare Drums
Gretsch Round Badge Drums
Yamaha Rock Tour Custom Drums
DW 9000 and 5000 Series Hardware
Zildjian A Custom, K Custom and K Custom Hybrid Cymbals
Sabian AAX and HHX Cymbals
Beyond the Stage:
Jackson, originally from Libertyville, IL, studied music at Cornell College and now teaches band, orchestra and music appreciation in the Pulaski Community School District. He also has a private studio of brass and percussion students. In addition to drum set, Jackson specializes in classical, jazz and modern trombone.
Bass Guitar Nick Matzke
Years Playing: 6
Equipment:
Fender Jazz Bass
Beyond the Stage:
From the motherland of Green Bay, WI, Nick has been occupying the low end in several local bands since he started playing. Major influences include Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, and John Entwistle
Lead Guitar Ryan Michaels
Years Playing: 9
Equipment:
Fender Telecaster / Stratocaster Guitars
Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Fender Hotrod Deville Deluxe 5
Shure Microphones
Beyond the Stage:
Ryan recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. Ryan has a website dedicated to his interests in Public Relations and Talent Management work. This website can be found at https://ryanrickard1321.wixsite.com/portfolio.
