The Violent Femmes, in Milwaukee Brewers' jerseys, performed from American Family Field's Miller Lite Landing before the Crew's first World Series game in 44 years.
Has there ever been a more-Milwaukee sentence?
The ball club called up the Violent Femmes − arguably the most accomplished band to come out of Brew City – and asked if they wanted to perform ahead of Game 1. And, "you just don't say no to the Brewers," according to bassist Brian Ritchie.
"It's a dream come true. We just want to get through the next four games. Hopefully, it only takes four," said Ritchie, who saw the Braves play when they were still in Milwaukee, and has been a Brewers fan since "Day 1."
Earlier this season, the Violent Femmes performed the National Anthem before a Brewers game. That isn't just Ritchie's favorite Brewers memory, he said it's "one of my favorite memories in my life."
Nineteen eighty-two was a big year for both the Brewers and the Violent Femmes. It's the year the Crew went to their last and until this year only Fall Classic; it's also the year the Femmes recorded their self-titled debut album.
"It was the same timeline," Ritchie said. "Luckily, both organizations have continued to thrive, and now we're hitting new high points together."
While the Violent Femmes don't use a setlist − instead, they "feel it out" − Ritchie said they were going to play their popular songs, many from that first album. Their eight-song pregame show was made up of "Prove My Love," "Promise," "I Held Her in My Arms," "Please Do Not Go," "Add It Up," "American Music," "Gone Daddy Gone," and "Blister in the Sun."
While the concert started around 4:45 p.m., over two hours before the 7 p.m. game time, Brewers fans − including coworkers and best friends Lani Ramos and Johnny "Cakes" Truchon − were scattered throughout the stadium.
Ramos and Truchon, lifelong Brewers fans and longtime Violent Femmes fans, got to the ballpark earlier than they initially planned just to see the show.
"Everything today is just so amazing," Ramos said. "I'm very overwhelmed. I am so excited. I'm so excited to see them. I'm so excited for the game today. I'm going to be happy if I don't cry today."
Performing from the Miller Lite Landing, which is near Bernie's slide, most fans could more easily see the band on the big screen. Ritchie was on his signature, abstract-looking, fittingly-blue bass, but opted for xylophone for "Gone Daddy Gone." For "American Music," the Violent Femmes brought out hometown accordion player Mike Schneider.
"Why? Because it's the right thing to do," frontman Gordon Gano told the crowd.
The Violent Femmes ended their show with their best-known tune, "Blister in the Sun."
"That's right. We're the band that does this song," Gano teased.
The signoff: "We are the Violent Femmes. Let's go Brewers!"
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'A dream come true,' Milwaukee's Violent Femmes perform at World Series