Music of Wisconsin

Music of the United States
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Wisconsin was settled largely by European immigrants in the late 19th century. This immigration led to the popularization of galops, schottisches, waltzes, and, especially, polkas. Classical composers and conductors from Wisconsin include Hans Balatka, Hugo Kaun, Eugene Luening and Sarge Boyd.

Genres

German- and Norwegian-American music

The 1830s and 40s brought European dances like the schottische, waltz, galop and, most importantly, the 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.

Blues

Perhaps the most influential musical output of Wisconsin came from Grafton, Ozaukee County during the 1920s, when Paramount Records released a series of blues and jazz recordings by artists from the South.

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, but the scene soon died out and Die Kreuzen moved on to speed metal. Madison, Wisconsin spawned a more vibrant scene, including the Tar Babies and Appliances-SFB. Later, the noise rock band Killdozer became an important indie rock group.

Heavy metal

Since the late 1990s Wisconsin has had an upsurge in heavy and extreme metal bands that have consistently played shows across the state and often extending into the surrounding midwest. Recently, for example, Luna Mortis from Madison was signed by Century Media Records and Lazarus A.D. was signed by Metal Blade. Jungle Rot are currently signed to Napalm Records.

Since 2003, many metal bands in Wisconsin have teamed up in a loose coalition called the Wisconsin Metal Alliance. The Wisconsin Metal Alliance, or "WMA", helps to promote and organize bands while giving them a place to congregate and pool resources.

Hip hop/Rap

Well-known hip hop musicians from Wisconsin include Nick Hexum and Coo Coo Cal.

Locales

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. The nationally successful Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps also make their home in Madison.

The electronic and dark sides of music are alive and well in Madison. A number of bands in these genres got their start in, or make Madison home: most notably Stromkern, Null Device & Caustic (band), plus a number of others. The scene was started and kept alive through the efforts of Sonic Mainline records, Reverence (music festival) and the Inferno nightclub.

World music is well represented with such award-winning^[1] acts as Reptile Palace Orchestra and Yid Vicious^[2] and the yearly Folkball.

Wisconsintes Duke Erikson and Butch Vig , formed Garbage with Steve Marker and Shirley Manson, which is based in Madison. Currently^[when?] Richard Davis, Ben Sidran and weekly performer and world's-most-sampled^[3] funky drummer Clyde Stubblefield^[4] all call Madison home.

Aside from the many summer festivals, Madison hosts a yearly Madison Area Music Awards show, much like Milwaukee's Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards show.

Eau Claire

The Eau Claire Municipal Band, founded in 1902, is the city's oldest community musical organization.

Cimmeron Show Review 1976

The Chippewa Valley, especially Eau Claire, has groups and performers in the indie rock, metal/hardcore, hip hop, jam, blues, bluegrass, and jazz genres. Bands such as Bon Iver, The Daredevil Christopher Wright, Laarks, the New North String Band, and Farms have achieved varying levels of national success. Eau Claire is also the original home of national artists such as Peter Wolf Crier and Megafaun as well as many of the Minneapolis scene's popular acts including Rifle Sport, Flour, Mel Gibson & the Pants, Digitata, Lookbook, Solid Gold and many more. This success could be partly due to the award-winning music programs at area high schools and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a healthy club, coffeehouse, and outdoor music scene, not to mention the profound influence of master showman Sarge Boyd over a period of half a century.

Oshkosh

During the 70's, Oshkosh was home to the Cimmeron Show Review. Cimmeron was a four piece pop group formed by four students that attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Cimmeron was considered a show band and specialized in strong vocals and a well rehearsed stage show. Cimmeron had two 45 record releases . In 1975 they had a hit single "See Me Through" which registered 13 play lists and in 1976, they released "We Can Fly (Pass An Apple)" which reached 17 registered play lists according to "Radio & Records". Cimmeron was active from 1972 to 1979 and became a headliner early in the conception. They were extremely popular and very successful in the 5 surrounding states.

Milwaukee

Main article: Music of Milwaukee

Waukesha

Notable artists from Waukesha include multi-track recording and electric guitar inventor Les Paul and The BoDeans, who are a Summerfest favorite.

La Crosse

The Root Note is a prime venue for indie and underground music in the La Crosse region.

There is a vibrant punk, hardcore, metal, indie, and alternative music scene in La Crosse nurtured by a solid fan base. Many bands claim origin to La Crosse and the surrounding area. La Crosse contains different venues for different types of music. The Root Note is the prime venue for indie/underground music, The Warehouse is the hotspot for alternative music, and the La Crosse Center is the main place for popular musicians performing in the area. La Crosse exhibits an extraordinarily deep music scene for a city of its size. Notable bands from La Crosse are T.U.G.G, Space Bike, Neon, and Shoeless Revolution. Popular musician Stephen Jerzak also lived and previously attended both public high schools (Central and Logan) in La Crosse, although he has since moved out to California.

References

• Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. ISBN 0-92291-571-7.

Notes

1. ^ documentation of MAMA awards in 2006
2. ^ Yid Vicious goes to Japan article in the State Journal
3. ^ documents Clyde's beat on “The Funky Drummer” as being the most sampled piece of music of all time
4. ^ Clyde's weekly Funky Mondays shows documented