Trampled by Turtles, a nontraditional bluegrass band with a heavy dose of punk, rock, pop and alternative country, will perform at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP).

The five-member band from Duluth will perform Thursday, April 3, at 8 p.m. in the Dreyfus University Center Encore. Admission is $10 for the general public and free to students with a valid UWSP ID.

"We enjoy traditional bluegrass but we all grew up immersed in rock ‘n roll and I think our band reflects those qualities," said Dave Simonett, lead vocalist and guitarist. According to mandolin player Erik Berry, "One of the best descriptions I’ve ever heard is that we’re like the Ramones as a bluegrass band.

Touring the nation over the past two years, Trampled by Turtles has performed in many venues including the Bowery Ballroom in New York City and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. "Live at Luce" is the band’s third release.

Opening for the group will be Sloppy Joe. Playing mostly original songs, band members play multiple instruments including the guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, stand-up bass, washtub, spoons and more. Sloppy Joe has performed at bluegrass festivals throughout Wisconsin and parts of the south.

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