The band has won kudos from Branford Marsalis and other music-industry giants. The band was part of the 1997 Summerfest lineup. Alternative Rock Garbage , an alternative rock band, has zoomed to unprecedented heights, vying to become the city's most successful band. Garbage was born in Madison when drummer Butch Vig, who had produced landmark rock albums for Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins, hooked up with Duke Erikson and Steve Marker who had done remixes for U2, nine inch nails and other groups. With the addition of vocalist Shirley Manson, the group's music first caught on in Europe, then began to gain attention in the United States.
Garbage now has several releases and does national tours.
Rock Voted the best of Madison in 1995, The Wizenheimers , a roots-rocking quartet, bubbles over with enthusiasm and energy. The Wizenheimers perform in Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis, but they always get a big Packer welcome when they return home to Madison.