Talking Traverse City Porchfest, 90s Punk, and Sandbox Alliance on KLT w/ Jack O’Malley & Wendy.

Chad Schrader stopped by the WTCM studios this morning to chat with Wendy and the team about one of the most anticipated events of the year: the 8th Annual Traverse City Porchfest. For those who missed the live broadcast, the full interview is available to stream in the audio player below.

This Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Central Neighborhood transforms into a massive, family-friendly music festival stretching from 5th to 13th Street. It’s essentially Halloween, but instead of hunting for candy, attendees are bouncing from yard to yard catching local bands—though if folks stop by 8th Street, Angie will likely have some free cookies waiting.

For this year’s Porchfest, Schrader is stepping away from the standard Timebombs setlist to bring out NIMROD, a side project dedicated to Green Day and 90s pop-punk. Having grown up in the Muskegon punk rock scene, playing a DIY house show feels like returning to his roots. The band will be playing the deep cuts and tracks that inspired him to pick up a guitar at 15 years old. NIMROD takes the "stage" at 4:00 PM at 426 West 8th Street, right on drummer Daren’s porch.

It’s also a massive weekend for the wider Sandbox Alliance family. While wandering the neighborhood, fans can keep an eye out for other Sandbox Alliance acts, including Jesse Jefferson, Sane Asylum, and Vertical Limits, who will be kicking the whole event off at 1:00 PM.

The music doesn't have to stop when the porches close down. Sandbox Alliance recently partnered with Workshop Brewing Company to book their Friday and Saturday stages, and they've set up a special deal for Sunday. The stage is officially open at Workshop after the festival wraps up. Any musician who plays Porchfest can bring their instrument over, let the bar know they performed, get $1 off their beer courtesy of Sandbox Alliance, and maybe even jump in on an impromptu jam session to keep the music going.

To get the live music fix started early, locals can head to Workshop on Friday, 9/18 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to catch a performance from Miriam Pico and Ryan Younce.

Grab the official map over at tcporchfest.com, plan a route, and catch NIMROD on 8th Street this Sunday.