Cold Soda Club

SHEBOYGAN - It may be dubbed as "alternative rock," but a Sheboygan-area band is turning heads for its unique sound blending multiple genres.

With influences spanning from pop and jazz to rock and hip-hop, the five-man Cold Soda Club has big ambitions as they head into the studio to record their first album.

“Our own songs, I couldn’t tell you what they sound like compared to other bands,” Lucas Goebel, the 20-year-old drummer of the band, said. “It’s a smorgasbord. Even our own songs sound different.”

The initial four of the group, Yeekeng Yang, Trevor Damkot, Matt Theobald, and Lucas Goebel, were in the drum line together at North High School before starting a rock band called The Inventors.

When the band began booking gigs three years ago, a name change became necessary. The Inventors, it turned out, was already a popular name among bands online. When Tyler Maxon came on board as vocals, the Cold Soda Club was born.


Inspiration struck when the group was taking photos at an old bar with a sign that said “Cold Soda” hanging above it.

“For some reason, we thought it was really cool," Goebel said. “Someone threw in that photo when we were thinking about names and said ‘Cold Soda Club’ would be cool. We just sort of went with it.”

With a set list that weaves in a wide variety of covers and their own original tunes, the band has had a busy summer. Each weekend they're either crisscrossing eastern Wisconsin playing bar shows or in the studio recording new material.

“We’re starting to develop almost a new sound,” Goebel said. “It’s really interesting to see where we’re going with our own stuff. It’s good. We started out kind of basic, but are really starting to write good music.”

But their biggest show of the season is still on the horizon. The five have been invited to play a set of their own music at the Midwest Original Music Festival in August.

“This will be very exciting for us. We haven’t showcased all of our new stuff, so it will be 45 minutes of just us,” Maxon said. “It will be exciting to have our new stuff that no one has heard before.”

The music festival, held Aug. 18-20 at Croatian Park in Franklin, brings together more than 50 Wisconsin bands for a three-day celebration of local music.

Since coming together three years ago, the five have evolved as musicians and said they are excited for the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“This summer has been exciting for us. We couldn’t have dreamed to have a summer like this,” Maxon said. “It’s happening so quickly. You just don’t want it to stop.”

Stopping doesn't seem to be in their future. Despite each going to a different Wisconsin university this fall, all five seem committed to continuing gigs — albeit at a slower pace during the school year.

“Standing up on stage, playing a song we spent hours perfecting, and seeing people sing your own words back — there’s nothing like it,” Maxon said. “It’s just awesome.”

For more information on the Cold Soda Club, find them on Facebook or visit coldsodaclub.com. - Sheboygan PRess