The Violent Femmes In Profile

In 1983, The Violent Femmes produced their first album. In 1993, it went platinum. During those ten years, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based low-fi trio became an underground mainstay, part of a short list of contemporary indie music essentials. In other words: a cult classic. And all was accomplished without (much) radio play, without a (mainstream) fan base and with a sound that was entirely out of fashion -- until, of course, it influenced an entire musical generation (this one).

The Violent Femmes starting playing together as teenagers in Milwaukee. Influenced by the punk scene but in possession of acoustic instruments, they generated a new style of music they called "folk punk." With an acoustic bass (which was unusual at the time) and a small drum kit hit (hit with brushes) backing up a heavily strummed acoustic guitar, they took to the streets busking for change and were "stumbled upon" by the Pretenders' James Honeyman-Scott.

After opening for The Pretenders, The Violent Femmes signed to Slash Records and recorded a self-titled album. While the release didn't garner mainstream notice, it did gain the band a following and they began to tour. The album's songs had infectious melodies and punk energy and appealed to fans of the alternative movement -- eventually. ("Add It Up", "Blister in the Sun", "Gone Daddy Gone" and "Kiss Off" are now considered alt rock classics, though written years before the movement was born.)

Throughout much of the '80s the Femmes continued to tour and to record additional work. Their second album, Hallowed Ground (1984), had more of a country twang and their third, The Blind Leading the Naked (1986), was more devoted to a pop sound. However, none of their later albums garnered much mainstream attention. In the late eighties, the groups members began recording solo work, the band disbanded and then reformed, and the popularity of their debut effort continued to slowly grow.

When the style of popular music met the Femmes half-way, they re-formed and released a number of albums: one live, one "best of," one of unreleased tracks. This was a period of unparalleled success for the band. They were finally being recognized for their importance and originality. However, in 2000, they released a new album entitled Freak Magnet to surprisingly limited success.

In response, the band decided they would no longer record original work but would continue to tour in support of their "classic" tracks. Today, the band play often, sampling all five of their entire back catalogue. Their live shows, which often involve guest musicians and a back-up horn band (called The Horns of Dilemma), still mix punk rock energy with the shuffling acoustics of folk. And of course, their debut album may indeed sell double-platinum before their days are out.

• Gordon Gano: Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter
  
• Brian Ritchie: Bassist, Xylophone, Shakuhachi
  
• Victor DeLorenzo: Drummer (1981-1993, 2002-2006)
  
• Guy Hoffman: Drummer (1993-2002, 2006)

Studio Albums

1983: Violent Femmes
1984: Hallowed Ground
1986: The Blind Leading the Naked
1988: 3
1991: Why Do Birds Sing?
1994: New Times
1995: Rock!!!!!
2000: Freak Magnet

Other Albums

1990: Debacle: The First Decade
1993: Add It Up (1981-1993)
1999: Viva Wisconsin
2001: Something's Wrong
2002: Violent Femmes (Deluxe Edition)
2005: Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes
2005: BBC Live
2006: Archive Series No. 1 Live In Iceland

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