Punch the Clown

Punch the Clown was a Davis, California-based ska band that was active in 1990s. The band's music featured eclectic influences from big-band to calypso, to old-school rocksteady. Punch the Clown (PTC) was formed by founding members Mark Groesbeck (vocals, guitar, harmonica), and Rick Rocklewitz (drums, vocals) in the summer of 1992. Other members were quickly added which included Bret Enlow (bass), April West (keyboards), Brian Copenhagen (trombone), Mindy Bauer (trumpet, vocals), and Keith Cline (saxophone).

Career

The band's first performance was for an art show at University of California, Davis. The band began at local parties and soon grew to headline at local clubs in Davis such as A.J. Bumps, The Cantina Del Cabo, The Brewery, and The Graduate. By 1994 the Ska ska band began attracting crowds at established hot spots for up-and-coming talent in Sacramento such as The Press Club, The Kattle Klub, and Old Ironsides. The same year the band released their first album, but not before a few personnel changes which brought new members Kevin Newby (bass) and Joel P. Franklin (trombone). The band's first album, Punch the Clown is Caught Red-handed, featured both studio recordings and songs performed in PTC's live show.