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United States Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band known for their distinctive blend of teenage angst, folk-rock, and punk sensibilities, achieving significant recognition in alternative music.
Interested in booking Violent Femmes?
Request A ShowAmid the growing buzz, Violent Femmes signed to legendary punk label Slash Records (home to The Germs, X, and The Blasters) and, in 1983, released their self-titled debut.
The band Violent Femmes disbanded after singer Gordon Gano sold the advertising rights of their song "Blister in the Sun," to Wendy's for commercial use.
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 1999, Viva Wisconsin, a live album, was released in the United States through Beyond Music, followed by Freak Magnet (2000).
In 2002, Rhino Records repackaged the band's 1983 debut album, along with demos and live tracks, to coincide with a 20th-anniversary reissue.
Violent Femmes were established in 1981 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by bassist Brian Ritchie and percussionist Victor DeLorenzo, with lead vocalist and guitarist Gordon Gano joining soon after. The band gained early attention by frequently performing in coffee houses and on street corners. A key moment occurred on August 23, 1981, when they were discovered busking outside Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre by James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders. This led to an invitation to play a brief acoustic set after The Pretenders’ opening act, initiating broader recognition for the group. In 1982, New York Times music critic Robert Palmer provided a positive review of their live performance, making comparisons between Gano and artists such as Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, and Jonathan Richman.
The band signed with Slash Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1983. This album featured many of their well-known songs, including “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” “Add It Up,” and “Gone Daddy Gone.” The album steadily climbed in popularity, eventually reaching platinum certification by the RIAA. Subsequent albums included 1984’s “Hallowed Ground,” which explored country music and Christian themes, and 1986’s “The Blind Leading the Naked,” which incorporated pop and avant-garde elements, achieving commercial success in the US, UK, and Australia. The band experienced a brief separation in 1987 but reunited in 1988, releasing “3” in 1989 and “Why Do Birds Sing?” in 1991, which featured the popular song “American Music.
Over the years, the band saw changes in its lineup, with Victor DeLorenzo departing in 1993 and Guy Hoffman taking over on drums. This lineup released albums like “New Times” in 1994, which included the minor hit “Breakin’ Up,” and “Rock!!!!!” in 1995. DeLorenzo rejoined for a farewell tour in 2002. A lawsuit between Gano and Ritchie regarding song licensing for a Wendy’s commercial led to a disbanding in 2009. The Violent Femmes reunited in 2013, performing at festivals such as Coachella and Summerfest. New drummer Brian Viglione joined in 2013, followed by John Sparrow in 2016. The band continued to release new material, including “We Can Do Anything” in 2016 and “Hotel Last Resort” in 2019, maintaining their influential presence in various music genres.
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