Arlene Spinderbush always knew her little boy would be a musical prodigy. Since he was in elementary school, she has attended every choir concert and school musical he has been in, beaming proudly from the front row every time.

Now she awaits her son’s band’s debut performance in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Gasthaus as part of the Gasthaus Entertainment Series.

According to Spinderbush, performing in the basement venue is “the only sign that a band has truly made it big.”

Her son is Thomas Spinderbush, the lead vocalist of The Stuphf — a reggae-polka-ska Britney Spears cover band. He is confident the band is headed for something big.

“There’s no way the Gasthaus can turn us down,” he said. “UWM is craving a Britney Spears cover band!”

Gasthaus Entertainment Series officials will hear The Stuphf’s audition after students return from spring break. They will decide which acts to book shortly after.

The Stuphf features “the amazing musical prowess” of Spinderbush; Heinrik Dusseldorfski, tuba player; Ras Mike, steel drummer; and Ernie Pompon, accordion player. The band recently collaborated with world-renowned free-form expressionist dancer Trudi and plans to keep her on board for their performances at the Gasthaus and elsewhere.

“They’re just awesome,” said the band members’ parents, all of whom have listened to The Stuphf’s “concerts” in the Spinderbush family garage.

The band members’ parents most recently attended a local “Battle of the Bands” contest at UWM and were disappointed with the judges’ decision to award a “mere” honorable mention to The Stuphf.

“The judges must have been drinking at the Gasthaus before they cast their votes,” said Franque Spinderbush. “There’s no way The Stuphf is worse than Barbara’s Busche!”

The Stuphf has been together since 2003, when Spinderbush and Dusseldorfski met while shopping.

“Man, we were both droppin’ Hamiltons like it was nobody’s business at the Oshkosh B’gosh outlet store,” Spinderbush said. “I looked up from the rack of overalls in front of me and I saw this dude with big ol’ tuba lips. I knew he would be awesome for my band.”

Spinderbush noted that he has always dreamed of being the front man for a reggae-polka-ska band.

From there, Spinderbush and Dusseldorfski encouraged Mike and Pompon to join the virgin band after Dusseldorfski introduced Spinderbush to the pair.

“It was natural fit,” Dusseldorfski said. “Like O.J. and glove.”

The Stuphf’s main influences include Flavor Flav (Dusseldorfski dons a large clock around his neck during performances), any Czechoslovakian punk bands and, of course, “the fabulous Miss Spears,” as Spinderbush said. “She’s still single to me,” he added, noting the “Miss.”

“He’s such a rock star,” said Janine Franciple, Pompon’s girlfriend. “The Stuphf’s music makes me want to rock out with everything out.”

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