Since 2021, Milwaukee-area natives Tony Goff and Joe Hite have quietly been crafting and releasing original music as the power-pop duo, Slightly Gigantic. While the name may be new to some listeners, the chemistry between Goff and Hite has been decades in the making.
The two are perhaps best known regionally for the larger-than-life alter-ego characters they portrayed while fronting the wildly successful funk tribute band, The Boogie Men, through 2012. But their musical partnership began much earlier - at age 18 - when Joe arrived at Tony’s parents’ home for rehearsal and was immediately greeted by Tony’s father shouting, “Who the hell owns the green piece-of-garbage car leaking oil all over my driveway?” Fortunately, that relationship eventually healed, and Joe quickly became part of the family.
A year later, the pair set their sights on a national music career, relocating to California with their original rock band, LIPS, in pursuit of a major-label deal. The band secured management and a development deal with A&M Records, but before things could fully materialize, the project dissolved. Joe remained in California while Tony returned home to Milwaukee.
Years later, the two reunited to launch another successful chapter together with The Boogie Men. Following that run, they created 52nd Street – Music of Billy Joel, followed by the rock-focused cover band Uprising, performing music from the 1990s through the 2010s. In 2019, Joe relocated to Florida, where he built a thriving career performing solo shows and starring in the theatrical production Daybreak – The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow.
The idea for Slightly Gigantic came from Goff in 2021. After years spent performing cover music, he wanted an outlet dedicated entirely to original songs that reflected the duo’s own musical instincts and influences. He approached Hite with a challenge: write an album’s worth of music in what he described as “piano-driven stadium pop.”
The result is Slightly Gigantic - a bold, melodic, emotionally charged sound filled with soaring hooks, massive choruses, and an unmistakable sense of fun. Their music embraces the grand spirit of classic arena pop while remaining fresh, modern, and unapologetically authentic.
After independently releasing songs worldwide across digital streaming platforms - and generating several million streams - Goff and Hite realized something important: the only true way to connect with an audience is to bring the music to the stage live and loud.
To make that vision a reality, the duo assembled a powerhouse live band featuring two-time WAMI Award-winning drummer Junior Gamez (Prince Experience, 52nd Street), 2026 WAMI Award-winning bassist Eric Madunic (Willy Porter), and Candlebox guitarist and Academy Award winner Island Styles.
Goff and Hite fully recognize that today’s music industry bears little resemblance to the one they chased years ago. But in many ways, that freedom has become the point. Artists now have the ability to create on their own terms, follow their instincts, and connect directly with listeners.
And that’s exactly what Slightly Gigantic intends to do.
The bus is rolling. Jump aboard!
