Forged in the depths of a cold Wisconsin winter, Pay The Devil brings together an eclectic mix of original compositions, bluegrass, folk, Irish traditional, Americana, and outlaw country. We play music with heart, energy, and just the right amount of edge.

The Beginning

Winter 2011. Milwaukee was buried under snow, and five musicians decided to make some noise about it. What started as a weekly reason to play some music and have some cocktails has become a nearly two decade project with performances all across the Milwaukee scene and beyond.

We’re a five-piece band featuring guitar, mandolin, banjo, upright bass, and drums (plus spoons and other traditional percussive instruments). Our shows are energetic, interactive experiences filled with foot-stomping, thigh-slapping music and plenty of audience participation.

Our sound has been described as “Shantygrass” and “Riotgrass,” and we think that captures us pretty well. We play mostly original tunes but often sprinkle in anything from bluegrass standards to sea shanties, Irish traditionals, and country music that spans the spectrum from heartfelt to rowdy.

Book Us

We love to play shows and we’ll probably play for cheaper than you think. Grand opening of a distillery? Fire up the still. Celebrating a strange holiday? We’re already tuning up our instruments. Getting drunk in a corn field? Pack the cooler, we’re on the way. We’re your band.

We can travel with our own PA system and can set up anywhere there’s a power outlet. We can also go completely unplugged if the situation calls for it. Intimate house concert? Acoustic campfire session? That aforementioned corn field adventure? We adapt well.

Send an email to theband@paythedevil.us if you want to talk about booking us for a show.