If the doors and Weezer had a love child, it would be called “Kitty Soft Paw.”
-Urban Milwaukee
The Band
Formed in Milwaukee in 2019, Kitty Soft Paw (KSP) is a 5-piece indie rock band that adds a creative punk-like twist to soulful originals and deep-cut covers. From mesmerizing, melodic journeys to high-energy, shout-the-chorus rockers, KSP delivers hook-laden songs with tight harmonies, locked-in rhythms, and crowd-engaging antics. The band is very intentional about making a live show go beyond just music.
Frontman Billy O’Neill owns the stage and consistently delivers a standout show that audiences will tell their friends about. People come to see live music to witness the creative process and join in the emotional journey of the band. KSP intentionally builds shows around that expectation, making a memorable evening for all involved: the fans, the club, and the band.
KSP is releasing their first full-length album, Catalyst, in the spring of 2026 and will tour the Midwest to promote it. The band embraces the network of people who love live music. They bring joy every time they perform, and they take their fun seriously.
RECENT KSP ACCOLADES:
Performed at major stages at Summerfest for five years in a row, playing the largest side stage, BMO Pavilion, in 2025.
Finalists in the 2025 Wisconsin Battle of the Bands
Debuted their new song, Hometown, live on WTMJ 620 radio
KITTY SOFT PAW BIO:
Performed live on WMSE 88.9 radio
Cover story for Tosa Living magazine
Joined on stage by Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Performed at numerous benefits, including for Guitar for Vets, WAMI, MUSIC6S, and Wauwatosa Food Bank.
MEMBERS:
Billy O’Neill – lead vocals, percussion
Brad Smith – guitar, backing vocals
David Weis – guitar
Larry Hanlon – bass, backing vocals
Rick Hagopian – drums
FOLLOW THE BAND!!
INSTAGRAM: kittysoftpawband
FACEBOOK: Kitty Soft Paw
TikTok: kitty.soft.paw.ba #kittysoftpawband
MERCH: KSP T-shirts are available in many sizes for only $20!! Email thekspexperience@gmail.com to receive ordering info!
Upcoming Shows
January 9, 2026- Amorphic Beer, Riverwest, MKE- Benefit for Reflo/ MKE Green Schools
January 15, 2026- Ope Brewery, West Allis 8:30; Blonde opens at 7:30
April 10, 2026- 3 Sheeps Taproom, Sheboygan 7:00
April 20, 2025- Appleton Brewery, Appleton, Wi
June 13, 2025- Guitar Town Music Festival, Waukesha 3:00
PAST SHOWS AT:
Anodyne Coffee, MKE. Bad Moon Saloon, MKE. Baaree, Thiensville. Bastille Days, MKE. Best Buddies Walk, Hamilton HS, Sussex. Best Place at Pabst, MKE: opener for Badfinger (Fundraiser- Guitars For Vets). Bluemound Country Club, Tosa (private event). Club Garibaldi, Bayview. Da Bar, West Allis. Drunken Cobra, Tosa. Fairways of Woodside, Sussex (Fundraiser- pancreatic cancer research). Falcon Bowl, Riverwest. Five O’Clock Steakhouse (Classic Car Show), MKE. J&B’s Blue Ribbon Tap Room, MKE. Linneman’s, Riverwest. Lion’s Tail, Tosa. Maddy’s, Waukesha. Medical College of Wi, Tosa (Fundraiser- cancer research). Nashville North, MKE. Natty Oaks, West Allis. Ope Brewery, West Allis. Paulie’s, West Allis. Pocket Park, Tosa (Fundraiser- Tosa Food Pantry). Public Table/ Kegel’s, West Allis. RallyPoint, Oconomowoc (Battle of Bands- Finals). Summerfest: BMO Pavilion, Miller Lite Oasis, Uline Stage, Johnson Controls Stage, WAMI/Guitars for Vets Stage. Veterans’ Park, Saukville. WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry)- Holiday Party Headliner . WMSE 88.9FM Studio. WTMJ 620AM Studio. Zoo a la Carte, MKE (3 years).
Originals on spotify/ apple
Beautiful ghost, Daydream, Good life, I wanna hear from you, La de da, Once and for all, Peacepipe, Powerball, Rise up, Shimmer, So simple
MORE WAYS TO SEE/ HEAR KSP
Summerfest 2025- Video courtesy Talon Nightshade
https://youtu.be/YSeykoC8N1E?si=ZbsSomMJZb8jn6nT
WTMJ Radio with Sandy Maxx - June 2025- Band interview starts at 1:02 https://www.youtube.com/live/SowDOIQMaXs?si=BWP6MdS5vyADqvkA
Debut of song Hometown: WTMJ- September, 2025
https://youtu.be/AVszbXsH6Y8?si=499uuF8b5u8CJRC8
KITTY SOFT PAW YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@KittySoftPaw-KSP
414 Podcast: April 2025- Brad talks KSP songwriting and aspects of playing original music
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18buTjBFMk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
WMSE Interview- Feb 2025- Starts at 1:23
https://wmsearchive.blob.core.windows.net/2025/02/02-20-2025-18-00.mp3
Metal Chick Podcast -December 2024- Band interview begins 22:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKE2engVGps
WMSE Live show- Aug 2023: https://wmsearchive.blob.core.windows.net/2023/08/08-15-2023-18-00.mp3
“Good Life” Music Video - Oct 2022; Video Producer Dave McCoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7lrmIWeQTc
COVER SONGS
KSP puts its own stamp on various classic hits, which in the past have included-
American band (Grand Funk Railroad)
Chasing cars (Snow Patrol)
Fortunate Son (CCR)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Jean Genie (David Bowie)
Jump Into the fire (Harry Nillsson)
Let’s work together (Canned Heat)
Only you (Yazoo)
Peaceful easy feeling (Eagles)
Rockin’ in the free world (Neil Young)
She’s so cold (Rolling Stones)
Something in the air (Thunderclap Newman; Tom Petty)
Space age lovesong (Flock of Seagulls)
Summertime blues (Eddie Cochrane)
Surrender (Cheap Trick)
Try (Pink)
What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding (Nick Lowe; Elvis Costello)
KSP even has its own version of “Scooby Doo” (performed by Larry Marks (for you trivia hounds))
What’s up
with the NAME
“Kitty soft paw”?
…is a question that is asked frequently. There is a rumor that it began with a band-naming contest by the bandmembers’ then grade-school age kids, who were swayed by the popularity of a movie cartoon character… Interesting story but that is not how it happened. The reality is as follows: At an outdoor practice sometime during 2019, a stray kitten jumped from behind a tree. The cat then pounced upon one of the guitars and began silkily strumming it, quite well actually, although the tune was unrecognizable. After several melodious moments, the mystifying cat had enough and leaped away. The spellbound musicians decided to honor the invading feline by naming their new band: “Kitty Soft Paw.”
Content Link Block
