Alysha Wilkie
Friday once again! We're back with another great first show Friday! This week we got to talk to the great Alysha E. Wilkie about the DIY scene and the first show she played back in 2016!
“I went to my first DIY show in 2004. It was at the old steelworkers hall and protest the hero played, along with a handful of local bands that I didn't know at the time but would probably chew my own arm off for a chance to see again.”
“Shortly after this I got a guitar and learned a bunch of punk songs. I started performing as a rhythm guitar player for Celtic musicians and got to play some really cool gigs including a show at Edinburg Castle. I wasn't great at the Celtic stuff though and really just wanted to play punk rock.”
Whether you know her as Alysha or as Leech, you probably recognize her from her killer vocals and strong guitar and bass playing. Alysha has been a staple in the local music scene for many years and continues to blow people away with her undeniable talent.”
“My first band was started with my now husband, Shane. We were called The Camper Vans. We started with like three songs and added Tanner Leudy on vocals and Adam Lemoine on bass.we played our first show at destigmatize, 2016. I was so stoked to be playing an all ages show after attending them for 13 years. I remember that day we stopped in the legion before our set and some guys that were day drinking and playing darts were pretty rude and called us losers or something lol.”
“Since then i played in a thrashy punk band called Cap Gun, i became the 39th Keith Doom and the Wrecking crew member, and a short lived pop-punk band Magnum E.I.”
“Now I play bass in Painted Seagull and that has been a really cool experience, both Jon and Mike are such incredible musicians and I always love playing music with Shane. He's been the drummer in every band I've played in and I love the connection we have as a rhythm section.”
“I'm really excited to be writing and playing music again. I can't wait to see what we can create, and more importantly, I just like the process of sharing ideas and making noise with great people.”
It's been a pleasure talking to Alysha this week. It's been amazing to see her grow as a performer, and we can't wait to see what the future holds. As always, we'll see you next Friday for another first show Friday!!
