Music of Wisconsin
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Perhaps the most influential musical output of Wisconsin came from Port Washington, Ozaukee County during the 1920s, when Paramount Records released a series of blues and jazz recordings. Large-scale immigration for Europe in the 1930s led to the popularization of galops, schottisches, waltzes, and, especially, polkas. Classical composers and conductors from Wisconsin include Hans Balatka, Hugo Kaun and Eugene Luening.
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[edit] German- and Norwegian-American music
The 1830s and 40s brought European dances like the schottische, waltz, galop and, most importantly, the Polish polka. The 1840s also saw massive immigration from Germany to Milwaukee, which became known as Deutsche Athen (German Athens). Groups formed, such as the Milwaukee Musical Society, to celebrate ethnic German music. Some important figures from this era include Christopher Bach, Hans Balatka, Eugene Luening and Hugo Kaun.
While Germans moved to Milwaukee, Norwegians moved en masse to south and west Wisconsin, and surrounding areas. Norwegian musicians like the violinist Ole Bull were wildly popular in cities like Madison.
[edit] Punk rock
Probably the most famous punk band from Wisconsin was 1980s cult favorite the Violent Femmes, from Milwaukee. New Wave bands from Milwaukee included Couch Flambeau and The Stellas, later better known as hardcore punk band Die Kreuzen. Milwaukee saw some other hardcore action, like Clitboys, but the scene soon died out and Die Kreuzen moved on to speed metal. Madison, Wisconsin spawned a more vibrant scene, beginning with Mecht Mensch and, later, Bucky Pope's Tar Babies. The Tar Babies tried without success to import go go from Washington DC. Later, the hardcore band Killdozer became an important indie rock group. Garbage is also from Madison. The E-X's started to become a driving force in the Delafield/Oconomowoc area just west of Milwaukee.
[edit] Madison
Madison has an active and varied local music scene. Much of the local music caters to the tastes of college students, specifically students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Compilation albums, such as Mad City Music, have attempted to extend the local music scene further beyond Madison. One of the more popular local bands that has not gained nationwide recognition is the funk band Phat Phunktion.
Duke Erikson and Butch Vig, were members of Spooner, and later Garbage, which were both Wisconsin bands with strong ties to Madison in the 80s.
[edit] Milwaukee
Milwaukee hosts the "World's Largest Music Festival", Summerfest, and a large variety of ethnic and local music festivals. Notable Artists from the Milwaukee area include The Gufs, Steve Miller, Al Jarreau, Eric Benet, Violent Femmes, Speech from Arrested Development, Willy Porter, Jerry Harrison, Liberace, and The Promise Ring. Noteworthy Milwaukee hip hop acts are Taste Emcees, Def Harmonic, Black Elephant and Rusty Ps.
[edit] Summerfest
Main article: Summerfest
Summerfest is an annual music festival in Milwaukee. It is the biggest music festival in the world. Although the popularity of Summerfest is due in no small part to the nationally known music talent it hosts, it has also been a popular venue for local bands, both from the Milwaukee area and around Wisconsin. The nationally known BoDeans, formed in Waukesha, Wisconsin, are a Summerfest favorite.
[edit] References
Blush, Steven. American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. 2001. ISBN 0-922915-717-7
