Inside Wausau's underground punk scene
Emily Zaal and Caleb Delaney bring readers a story about a scene many in Wausau probably didn't know exists
By Emily Zaal and Caleb Delaney
Editor’s note: I’ve been thinking for awhile that the Wausau music scene isn’t being covered the way it ought to be. And it wasn’t something I could add to my plate. (Also, I’m of that age where I see 9 pm on an event and immediately yawn out of instinct.)
It might seem odd to have a couple working on a piece together, but they really knocked it out of the park. So I bring you what I hope will be the first of many such stories about the Wausau music scene. This one might seem a little odd - but when I heard Wausau had an underground punk scene, I couldn’t resist. That’s a story! Read it and enjoy it, and give these young writers a little love in the comments.
In a dark, red room, someone in a ski mask erupts with a full-bodied scream. As their voice gives out, the band crashes in—blistering drums, searing guitar, and a pounding bassline. The crowd erupts. Sweaty bodies flail, black eyeliner smears, and the room pulses with raw energy.
Some may assume this kind of scene only thrives in bigger cities, but most people probably don’t know it’s happening right here in the Wausau/Stevens Point area, at underground venues like Hell’s Disco. It’s part of a DIY movement working towards keeping Wisconsin’s punk, metal and hardcore scene alive.
Wisco Underground
Seth Steiner, a Wausau local, wants to see this DIY movement thrive. A welder by day and a musician and videographer by night, he’s the mastermind behind Wisco Underground – a project dedicated to capturing the heart and soul of Wisconsin’s punk, metal, and hardcore scene.
He’s been attending venue and house shows for years, but for the past year and a half, he’s been recording and sharing them on his YouTube channel. Armed with his camera and a passion for underground music, Seth doesn’t just want to document shows— but preserve a movement.
“Recording these shows is a lot of fun, but it's also freaking dangerous,” he says. “I've had my camera knocked and kicked out of my hands several times. I’ve even been punched—luckily not in the face where the camera is, but I’ve taken some hits at hardcore shows.”
Despite the chaos, Seth embraces the risk. To him, it’s all part of what makes the scene so raw, real, and worth capturing. He’s documented countless bands and artists in Wausau, such as Purging Paradise, Screaming Spaceship, and The Chad O’Kennedy, bringing their performances to life for those near and far.
While Seth captures the chaos from behind the lens, others in the scene are making sure the music has a place to flourish.
Hell’s Disco
Just 30 minutes south of Wausau, in Stevens Point, there’s been something special brewing in the underground scene. Eleven years ago, Seth’s friend Tanner 1 launched what’s now known as Hell’s Disco, a staple of the local scene. As DIY (Do-It-Yourself) shows gained traction, Tanner had always dreamed of hosting concerts right from his own home.
“It’s called DIY because, well, you’re literally doing it yourself,” Tanner explains. “These shows aren’t like going to The Rave in Milwaukee, where everything is a polished, professional operation with money on the line. Those venues are focused on turning a profit because that’s how they stay in business. But DIY shows? They’re different.”
According to Tanner, the heart of the DIY scene lies in community over commerce and intimacy over spectacle—where the experience is raw, unfiltered, and built on a love for the music itself.
It was with money from one of Tanner’s Hell’s Disco shows that Seth was able to buy his Nikon Z30, kickstarting his YouTube channel. Though Seth admits he felt bad about taking a cut of the door money, Tanner insisted—because that’s what the DIY scene is all about.
“When we host shows, we don’t keep a cent of it—everything goes back into the bands,” Tanner says.
Invites are typically spread through word of mouth or shared via social media. While the shows aren’t necessarily a secret, space is limited—Tanner’s house can only fit so many people. One of the biggest parties he’s hosted was PISSFEST 2024, a 10-year anniversary blowout featuring eight bands and 135 people packed wall to wall.
Despite the high-decibel, high-energy nature of these shows, Hell’s Disco has never had a single run-in with the police. Their motto, “Respect the Space, Respect the Scene,” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a code that everyone follows, ensuring the underground thrives with respect, self-governance, and without interference, organizers say.
Most shows at Hell’s Disco take place in the venue’s concrete basement, which, according to Tanner, is barely audible from the street—just a dull rumble. “But when people are outside having a cigarette break and are a little loud because they’ve had a few beers, that’s when somebody could call the cops,” he says. So far, they’ve been lucky.
But keeping a low profile doesn’t mean these shows come without risks. While traditional venues have insurance and liability protections, house shows operate in a legal gray area.
“I don’t tell people they can’t mosh, because that wouldn’t be fun,” says Tanner. “But if someone clunks their head on my pavement, I’m relying on the fact that they aren’t going to sue me just because it happened on my property.”
That trust, they believe, is what keeps the DIY scene alive. It’s not just about the music—Seth and Tanner say it’s about dedication, passion, and community. It’s about people like Seth, who risk getting punched just to document the energy, and Tanner, who has spent over a decade turning his home into a sanctuary for underground music.
“It’s an act of service that I have the privilege of being able to provide a place for other people to enjoy music,” Tanner says.
According to the organizers, that’s what keeps this movement alive–not money, not fame, but a shared love for the music and the people who make it. In a world where independent venues struggle, spaces like Tanner’s Hell’s Disco and platforms like Seth’s Wisco Underground show that the DIY spirit isn’t going anywhere.
BIO: We’re Emily Zaal and Caleb Delaney, a duo on a mission to uncover, celebrate, and share the most electrifying music stories in Wausau and beyond. As passionate musicians ourselves, we know firsthand the heart, grit, and raw talent that fuel the local scene. We believe every artist with a story to tell deserves a spotlight, and our goal is to amplify the voices that make this music community something special.
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For legal and safety reasons related to Hell’s Disco, we have chosen not to disclose Tanner’s full name.