Like the song says: the Violent Femmes bring all their equipment on the bus. And they bring all their equipment to American Family Field, too. Including a Weber grill.
Yes, the wild and woolly world of social media was introduced to the legendary Milwaukee-born group on Saturday, when bassist Brian Ritchie and drummer John Sparrow played “The Star Spangled Banner” before the Brewers-Twins game at American Family Field. Ritchie didn’t play bass, though—he played a Japanese bamboo flute known as a shakuhachi. And Sparrow didn’t play drums, of course—he played a 22″ Weber Kettle Grill, as is his/Femmes custom.
The results went semi-viral thanks to this X post from MLB.com reporter Zach Sweet:
What a wild rendition of the national anthem tonight at American Family Field. First time I’ve seen a grill used as an instrument! pic.twitter.com/vaj0q1CLet
— Zach Sweet (@by_ZachSweet) August 8, 2026
First time, Zach? You weren’t alone. Here are some more social media reactions to this beautiful, beautiful take on our nation’s anthem:
• Truly some Milwaukee, Wisconsin ass shit
• Does it get any more American than playing the national anthem on a grill?
• This is how the founding fathers intended for the national anthem to be played
• This is the way Francis Scott Key intended!!!
• Grills are essentially the Midwest version of steel drums.
• a dark day for chicago. this is like falling behind in the space race.
• They messed up not having a sausage flute.
• Typa shit that happens when you have to find someone to play the national anthem 162+ times a year
• I was gonna say this some Hank hill type shit but it doesn’t look like a propane grill so nvm
• Looks like Twitter has just now learned who the Violent Femmes are
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