Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1980 — Gordon Gano, Brian Ritchie, and Victor DeLorenzo. The 1983 self-titled debut is the whole ballgame: Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off, and Add It Up, acoustic instruments played with pure punk nerve. Shop Violent Femmes vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Violent Femmes formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1980. The classic lineup is Gordon Gano (vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Brian Ritchie (acoustic bass), and Victor DeLorenzo (drums). Famously discovered busking by members of The Pretenders, the band released a debut album that grew into a generational touchstone through word of mouth, eventually achieving platinum status years after release. The band has endured through various breakups and reunions.
Violent Femmes pioneered a distinctive folk punk sound, pairing largely acoustic instrumentation - acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, and stripped-down percussion - with the raw energy and attitude of punk. Gano's nervy, confessional lyrics about adolescent frustration, desire, and faith, delivered in his unmistakable voice, made songs like Blister in the Sun and Add It Up enduring anthems.
The self-titled debut has been reissued in deluxe and anniversary editions with bonus material, and original Slash pressings are collected. Colored-vinyl variants of the debut are popular given its cult status.
Listeners new to Violent Femmes almost always start with the self-titled debut (1983). For related listening, see and.
