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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 gallops, schottisches, waltzes, and, especially, polkas. Classical composers and conductors from Wisconsin include Hans Balatka, Hugo Kaun and Eugene Luening.
German- and Norwegian-American music
The 1830s and 40s brought European dances like the schottische, waltz, gallop 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.
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 the 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.
References
Blush, Steven. American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. 2001. ISBN 0-922915-717-7
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