I joined this legendary Indianapolis based cover band in 2005 and stayed with them until 2011. My buddy Jimmie Bruhn was the lead singer/lead guitar player in the band, and I was friends with both Robin and Kevin via Jimmie. I would go with them on occasion when they’d play in St Louis (Where they spend most of their weekends playing for 8 years), and would have a blast. These guys were GOOD. I had auditioned for them once before while in Master Blaster, but lost out to a former member who wanted to come back (which was the right call). But this time, there was no audition. They needed someone quickly, and I was the only choice. That being said, I was relatively inexperienced when it came to playing live like this, even though Master Blaster would play live. But we’d play 1hr shows, and Punch Judy would do 3hr shows and mostly covers. Plus, I had spent the last 6 years playing bass, not guitar. Once again, I joined another band and didn’t even own a guitar amp! HA! The difference though, was that this band made money and played a lot. So it didn’t take me long to amass a nice collection of gear, amps, pedals, etc.

Punch Judy was considered an Indianapolis “staple”. Everyone knew the name because the band had been together for almost 18 years! In fact, not a single original member was left in the band after two years of the band forming! Robin Altmeyer (Bass/Vocals) was in the band 16 out of 18, Kevin Kale (Drums) was in the band 15 out of 18, Jimmie was in it about 11 years out of 18, and I was in it for six years. But all things must come to an end, and it was time (at least for me) to stop. I just didn’t have time anymore. I’m not sure what the others are doing as far as the band goes, but Jimmie does a lot of freelance and solo stuff locally. They are the best group of guys I’ve had the privilege of playing with ever, and I wish them nothing but the best.

Below are songs from the original release “Everything is Fine”. It should be noted that I was not in the band during this time period, but was on the receiving end of almost all of the demos to what would become this record, because Jimmie and I are close friends. I personally feel the demos are better, but only because I’m closer to them. At the time Jimmie wrote these songs, a Punch Judy record wasn’t in the plans. They were just his songs “for his own amusement” sorta thing. This CD is long out of print, but you can get the songs by clicking below! Enjoy!