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Violent Femmes
American rock band
American rock band
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| name | Violent Femmes | |
| image | Violent Femmes 8221.jpg | |
| image_upright | 1.25 | |
| caption | Violent Femmes in 2006 | |
| background | group_or_band | |
| origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| genre | Folk punk. alternative rock | |
| works | Discography | |
| years_active | 1981–2009, 2013–present | |
| label | {{flatlist | |
| website | ||
| current_members | ||
| past_members |
the band
- Slash/Reprise
- Rough Trade
- Elektra
- Mushroom
- Interscope
- Beyond
- Add It Up Productions}}
Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The band consists of founding members Gordon Gano (guitar, lead vocals) and Brian Ritchie (bass, backing vocals), joined by multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza (joined 2004), and drummer John Sparrow (joined 2005). Former members of the band include drummers Victor DeLorenzo (1980–1993, 2002–2013), Guy Hoffman (1993–2002), and Brian Viglione (2013–2016). Violent Femmes are considered to be an integral part of the then-underground folk punk and alternative rock scenes of the 1980s, and remain influential or inspirational to the subsequent movements, particularly on folk rock, indie rock, grunge, pop punk, emo, and the late 1980s and 1990s alternative rock scene.
Violent Femmes have released 10 studio albums and 19 singles during the course of their career. The band found critical acclaim with the release of their self-titled debut album in early 1983. Featuring many of their best-known songs, including "Blister in the Sun", "Kiss Off", "Add It Up", and "Gone Daddy Gone", Violent Femmes became the band's biggest-selling album and was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA. After releasing two more albums, Hallowed Ground (1984) and The Blind Leading the Naked (1986), the band's future was uncertain and they split up in 1987 when Gano and Ritchie went solo. They regrouped a year later, however, releasing their fourth album 3 (1989). The follow-up album, Why Do Birds Sing? (1991), contains the fan favorite and concert staple "American Music".
In 1993, founding member Victor DeLorenzo (percussion, snare drum) left Violent Femmes and was replaced by Guy Hoffman, who debuted on the band's sixth album New Times (1994). Two more albums – Rock!!!!! (1995) and Freak Magnet (2000) – were released with this lineup before DeLorenzo rejoined the band in 2002 for what was to be a farewell tour. Following the commercial failure of Freak Magnet, Violent Femmes did not release any more studio albums for almost two decades, although a number of compilation albums were released in the early 2000s, along with a few one-off songs. Some controversy over the licensing of the band's songs for commercial use led to an official break-up in 2009, though they re-formed in 2013 (shortly before DeLorenzo left Violent Femmes again), and have since released two more studio albums of new material: We Can Do Anything (2016) and Hotel Last Resort (2019).
History
Early years and first album (1981–1983)
Violent Femmes were founded by bassist Brian Ritchie and percussionist Victor DeLorenzo in 1981, joined shortly thereafter by lead vocalist and guitarist Gordon Gano. According to Ritchie, he came up with the name of the group as a fake band name when one of his bandmates questioned his assertion that his brother was also in a band. He and DeLorenzo liked the name, so they used it for the rhythm duo in which they played prior to Gano joining the group.
In its early days, the band frequently played coffee houses and street corners. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of the Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act.
In 1983, the band released their self-titled debut album, Violent Femmes.
Later years and brief split (1984–1992)
After their debut album Violent Femmes, the band released Hallowed Ground, which moved the group toward a country music sound and introduced Christian themes. Mark Van Hecke produced the band's first two efforts, but their third album, The Blind Leading the Naked, saw a change in the studio. This time, another fellow Milwaukee native, Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, did the producing. It was more mainstream and pop-oriented, resulting in a minor hit with "Children of the Revolution", originally by T. Rex.
In 1985, Van Hecke ended his collaboration with the group and became a composer and producer in the rapidly growing video game industry. He would return later to produce two more albums for the group. The Femmes briefly disbanded, with Gano releasing an album in 1987, the result of a gospel side project Mercy Seat. Ritchie also released several solo LPs. The group came back together in late 1988, releasing 3, a return to the band's earlier, stripped-down sound. Why Do Birds Sing? was released in 1991 after the band signed to Reprise and featured another minor hit, "American Music", which became a concert staple.
Post-DeLorenzo years (1993–1998)
In 1993, DeLorenzo departed the group to act and make solo records. Guy Hoffman, formerly of the Oil Tasters and BoDeans, was brought in to tour what was to become one of the Violent Femmes' biggest-selling records, the Add It Up (1981–1993) collection. Over the next nine years, the band, with Hoffman, recorded five full-length CDs and a handful of one-offs for motion picture soundtracks, such as "I Swear It (I Can Change)" from the South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut soundtrack, "Color Me Once" for the soundtrack to The Crow, and other compilation projects.
In 1997, the band appeared as themselves in the fifteenth episode of the TV show Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, "Hilda and Zelda: the Teenage Years". The first full studio album with Hoffman on drums, New Times (Elektra Records), was released in 1994, and the band scored another minor hit with the song "Breakin' Up". Rock!!!!! (Mushroom Records) was released in 1995 in Australia only, although it has since become available in the United States.
Later years and reunion with DeLorenzo (1999–2006)
In 1999, Viva Wisconsin, a live album, was released in the United States through Beyond Music, followed by Freak Magnet (2000). Something's Wrong (2001), an album of unreleased studio tracks, covers, demos, and acoustic live performances, was released as an MP3-only album through eMusic.
In 2001, the band recorded a cover of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song for Nickelodeon as a promotion for the show moving to prime time. In 2003, it was featured in the Complete 1st Season DVD as a special feature.
In 2002, Rhino Records repackaged the band's 1983 debut album, along with demos and live tracks, to coincide with a 20th-anniversary reissue. DeLorenzo asked to rejoin for what was to be a farewell tour, thus reinstating the original lineup.
In 2005, the band released two collections of past work: a CD called Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes on Slash/Rhino; and a DVD called Permanent Record – Live & Otherwise from Rhino, which showcases a concert performance from 1991, along with many of the group's videos. The CD was the first release that recognized all four musicians and their contributions on the same disc.
After touring in promotion of Freak Magnet, primary songwriter Gano decided that the band would no longer make new music, but would continue to play shows when booked. On New Year's Eve of 2005, and for one show in January 2006, all four Violent Femmes members played together.
Lawsuit and disbanding (2007–2009)
In 2007, Gano angered Ritchie by selling advertising rights for the classic "Blister in the Sun" to Wendy's.
Although nearly all of the band's songs, including "Blister in the Sun", credit Gano as the sole songwriter, Ritchie responded to the use of the song in the commercial by saying:
In August 2007, Ritchie filed a lawsuit against Gano, seeking half ownership of Violent Femmes' music and access to royalty accounting. Many speculated this would lead to the band's breakup. On June 17, 2008, however, the band released a cover of "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, who had previously covered "Gone Daddy Gone".
In 2009, the band disbanded as a result of Ritchie's lawsuit against Gano.
Reunion (since 2013)
In April 2013, Violent Femmes reunited to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. They performed next at the Bottlerock Napa Valley in May, then Milwaukee's Summerfest in June.
In March 2013, drummer Victor DeLorenzo said that he would be open to recording new material with the Violent Femmes, but on July 15, 2013, it was announced that Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione would replace DeLorenzo as the band's drummer. In a statement, DeLorenzo said: "It's always hard to write a eulogy for a lost loved one. In this case, I sadly lament the loss of a dream and an ideal that was once Violent Femmes."
In September 2013, the band was on the bill for Riot Fest, which took place in Chicago.
As part of the 2013/2014 Falls Festival, the band played three shows in Australia performing at Marion Bay on December 30, Lorne on December 31, and Byron Bay on January 2. |access-date = January 2, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191204/http://marionbay.fallsfestival.com.au/artists/#violent-femmes |archive-date = January 2, 2014 |url-status = dead
On May 11, 2014, the band performed at the Shaky Knees music festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
Around the start of 2015, the band played several shows in Australia, including the Woodford Folk Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and MONA FOMA festival. In the midst of these performances, they recorded their first new material in 15 years on New Year's Eve 2014 in Hobart, Tasmania. These four songs were released on an exclusive four-song EP on clear 180-gram vinyl on April 18, 2015, for Record Store Day. The band then joined Barenaked Ladies and Colin Hay on a two-month tour in the summer of 2015.
In January 2016, Viglione announced via his Facebook page that he had "handed in his resignation" to the band, adding that he was "grateful to have had the experience".
Later that month, the band announced that its first full album in 16 years, We Can Do Anything, would be released on March 22, 2016. Viglione is credited as the drummer on the album.
At the end of 2015, after Viglione's exit, drummer John Sparrow, who, in August 2005, had begun playing cajón in the Femmes' backing band, the Horns of Dilemma, joined the band as its new drummer. On February 23, 2016, he appeared with the band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote We Can Do Anything.
On April 30, 2019, the band announced a new studio album, Hotel Last Resort, released on July 26, 2019.
In July 2019, the band returned to the East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, in and around the street art destination Black Cat Alley, to film the music video for the single "I'm Nothing".
The Violent Femmes are featured on the song "Gotta Get to Peekskill" by Dropkick Murphys that appears on the band's album Okemah Rising (2023).
Band members
Current
- Gordon Gano – lead vocals, guitars, violin, banjo (1980–1987, 1988–2009, 2013–present)
- Brian Ritchie – bass, backing vocals, guitars, shakuhachi, xylophone, keyboards (1980–1987, 1988–2009, 2013–present)
- John Sparrow – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2005–2009, 2013–present)
- Blaise Garza – saxophones, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals (2004–2009, 2013–present)
Former
- Victor DeLorenzo – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980–1987, 1988–1993, 2002–2009, 2013)
- Guy Hoffman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1993–2002)
- Brian Viglione – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2013–2016)
Horns of Dilemma
- Blaise Garza – saxophones, percussion, backing vocals (2004–present)
- John Sparrow – cajón (2005–present)
- Peter Balestrieri – saxophones (1983–1991)
Timeline ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:24 PlotArea = left:95 bottom:100 top:10 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1980 till: TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1980 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1980
Colors = id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_violin,_banjo id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_shakuhachi,_xylophone id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion,_backing_vocals id:sax value:lavender legend:Saxophone id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:other value:gray(0.7) legend:Other_release id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
LineData = layer:back color:studio at:04/13/1983 at:06/01/1984 #estimated date; month and year are correct at:01/01/1986 #estimated date; year is correct at:01/01/1989 #estimated date; month and year are correct at:04/30/1991 at:05/17/1994 at:06/01/1995 #estimated date; year is correct at:02/22/2000 at:03/04/2016 at:07/26/2019 color:other at:11/23/1999 at:08/02/2005 at:07/27/2006 at:09/01/2006 #estimated date; month and year are correct at:01/18/2015 at:07/07/2017
BarData = bar:Gano text:"Gordon Gano" bar:Ritchie text:"Brian Ritchie" bar:DeLorenzo text:"Victor DeLorenzo" bar:Hoffman text:"Guy Hoffman" bar:Viglione text:"Brian Viglione" bar:Sparrow text:"John Sparrow" bar:Garza text:"Blaise Garza"
PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Gano from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:lvocals bar:Gano from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:guitar width:3 bar:Gano from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/2009 color:lvocals bar:Gano from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/2009 color:guitar width:3 bar:Gano from:06/01/2013 till:end color:lvocals bar:Gano from:06/01/2013 till:end color:guitar width:3 bar:Ritchie from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:bass bar:Ritchie from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:keys width:7 bar:Ritchie from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:perc width:3 bar:Ritchie from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:guitar width:5 bar:Ritchie from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/2009 color:bass bar:Ritchie from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/2009 color:keys width:7 bar:Ritchie from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/2009 color:perc width:3 bar:Ritchie from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/1990 color:guitar width:5 bar:Ritchie from:06/01/2013 till:end color:bass bar:Ritchie from:06/01/2013 till:end color:keys width:7 bar:Ritchie from:06/01/2013 till:end color:perc width:3 bar:Ritchie from:06/01/2013 till:end color:guitar width:5 bar:DeLorenzo from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:drums bar:DeLorenzo from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1987 color:perc width:3 bar:DeLorenzo from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/1993 color:drums bar:DeLorenzo from:12/01/1988 till:01/01/1993 color:perc width:3 bar:Hoffman from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/2002 color:drums bar:Hoffman from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/2002 color:perc width:3 bar:DeLorenzo from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2009 color:drums bar:DeLorenzo from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2009 color:perc width:3 bar:DeLorenzo from:06/01/2013 till:06/26/2013 color:drums bar:DeLorenzo from:06/01/2013 till:06/26/2013 color:perc width:3 bar:Viglione from:07/15/2013 till:03/04/2016 color:drums bar:Viglione from:07/15/2013 till:03/04/2016 color:perc width:3 bar:Sparrow from:02/23/2005 till:01/01/2009 color:perc bar:Sparrow from:06/01/2013 till:03/04/2016 color:perc bar:Sparrow from:03/04/2016 till:end color:drums bar:Sparrow from:03/04/2016 till:end color:perc width:3 bar:Garza from:09/03/2004 till:01/01/2009 color:sax bar:Garza from:09/03/2004 till:01/01/2009 color:keys width:7 bar:Garza from:09/03/2004 till:01/01/2009 color:perc width:3 bar:Garza from:07/15/2013 till:end color:sax bar:Garza from:07/15/2013 till:end color:keys width:7 bar:Garza from:07/15/2013 till:end color:perc width:3
Horns of Dilemma
In their shows, the Femmes employ a horn section called the Horns of Dilemma as their backing band. For many years, it consisted of Peter Balestrieri, Steve MacKay on saxophones, and Sigmund Snopek III on keyboards and other instruments.
The backing band was augmented by various musicians who the band invited to play with them, now using local acquaintances (famous or otherwise), friends, relatives, or other associates of the band, particularly their road crew. Instrumentation varies widely and includes saxophones, trumpets, trombones, sousaphone, flute, clarinet, antique hunting horn, kazoo, and percussion. The group doesn't back up the band in the way that a traditional horn section would; instead, they provide a free-form noise jam. When the band plays "Black Girls" or "Confessions", the only direction given to the players is to play freely and as wildly as possible during certain sections.
As of 2014, the leader of the Horns of Dilemma was Blaise Garza, who plays saxophone. Famous members have included John Zorn, Dick Parry, and the Dresden Dolls. Longtime band associates and employees who have played with the Horns include soundman Caleb Alexander and manager Darren Brown.
Before becoming the drummer for the main band, Femmes, John Sparrow played cajón for the backing band, Dilemma, starting in 2005. Various bassists stand in for Ritchie during "Gone Daddy Gone" when he plays xylophone. These musicians are all considered members of the Horns of Dilemma.
Discography
Main article: Violent Femmes discography
Studio albums
- Violent Femmes (1983)
- Hallowed Ground (1984)
- The Blind Leading the Naked (1986)
- 3 (1989)
- Why Do Birds Sing? (1991)
- New Times (1994)
- Rock!!!!! (1995)
- Freak Magnet (2000)
- We Can Do Anything (2016)
- Hotel Last Resort (2019)
References
Bibliography
References
- (2017). "2 Mics & The Truth: Unplugged & Unhinged In America".
- (July 25, 2019). "Violent Femmes: Hotel Last Resort".
- (October 17, 2022). "Violent Femmes Celebrate Anniversary of Landmark Album Norwalk's Wall Street Theater".
- (November 9, 2022). "When Violent Femmes pulled from a classic Muddy Waters track".
- "Folk Punk Music Guide: 6 Notable Folk Punk Bands - 2023".
- (July 16, 2020). "How a Wendy's Commercial Split up the Violent Femmes".
- Tomlin, Edward. (March 17, 2023). "10 Best Violent Femmes Songs of All Time".
- (June 11, 2023). "Violent Femmes Why do Birds Sing?".
- (March 17, 2019). "Violent Femmes | Violent Femmes".
- (February 1, 1991). "RIAA Gold & Platinum Database".
- Barker, Rayanna. "A Conversation With Brian Ritchie".
- ''Milwaukee Journal'' August 24, 1981
- (April 2, 1983). "Abundance Of Major Titles Set For Second Quarter". The Cash Box Publishing Co..
- (April 23, 1983). "Violent Femmes - Slash 23845-1". The Cash Box Publishing Co..
- White, Adam. (1990). "The Billboard Book of Gold & Platinum Records". Billboard Books.
- Mark VanHecke. "Mark Van Hecke | Credits".
- (2003). "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music". [[Virgin Books]].
- Tarnoff, Andy. (2007-03-06). "Femmes' Ritchie reacts to Wendy's chili {{sic". OnMilwaukee.com.
- "Violent Femmes Embroiled In Inter-Band Lawsuit".
- Condon, Dan. (2013-01-25). "Grinderman reform for Coachella".
- (January 25, 2013). "Blisters healed? Violent Femmes announce Coachella reunion". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
- (March 26, 2013). "Violent Femmes kick off Summerfest 2013".
- Levy, Piet. (March 26, 2013). "Reunited Violent Femmes to kick off Summerfest with homecoming show". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
- Levy, Piet. (July 15, 2013). "Recently reunited Violent Femmes replaces founding drummer". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
- (July 15, 2013). "VVN Music: Brian Viglione of the Dresden Dolls Joins the Violent Femmes".
- Rytlewski, Evan. (July 16, 2013). "Victor DeLorenzo Has Been Kicked Out of the Violent Femmes (Again)".
- (May 15, 2013). "Riot Fest 2013 Lineup: Fall Out Boy, Public Enemy, Violent Femmes, Blondie And More To Headline". [[The Huffington Post]].
- "Home – Shaky Knees 2014".
- (March 4, 2015). "Hear Violent Femmes' First New Song in 15 Years".
- "Barenaked Ladies 2015 "Last Summer On Earth" Tour Includes Violent Femmes and Colin Hay".
- Brian Viglione. (January 1, 2016). "Brian Viglione – Evolution and change are always exciting, and...".
- Hilton, Robin. (January 13, 2016). "Hear A Song From Violent Femmes' First Album In 15 Years". [[NPR]].
- Levy, Piet. "Violent Femmes jam with Stephen Colbert, introduce new local drummer". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
- (April 30, 2019). "Hear Violent Femmes' New Song With Television's Tom Verlaine, 'Hotel Last Resort'".
- Levy, Piet. "Violent Femmes return to their busking roots in new filmed-in-Milwaukee music video". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
- Kaufman, Spencer. "Dropkick Murphys and Violent Femmes Fight the Ku Klux Klan on "Gotta Get to Peekskill": Stream". [[Consequence of Sound]].
- "The Music Man: Peter Balestrieri's Journey from Punk Rock Band to Special Collections".
- "SigmundSnopek.com – Welcome to the Official Web Site of Sigmund Snopek III".
- Cohn, Yale. "Talking With: Peter Balestrieri of the Violent Femmes".
- "Horns of Dilemma". Violent Femmes.
- Levy, Piet. "Setting aside strife, Milwaukee's Violent Femmes reborn". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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