Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes is an alternative band from Milwaukee (USA).
Band History
Known for their minimalist sound band was formed as a nameless rhythm section of bassist Brian Ritchie in 1980 ( born November 21, 1960) and drummer Victor DeLorenzo ( born October 25, 1954). Shortly thereafter came across guitarist Gordon Gano ( born June 7, 1963 in Milwaukee ) is added and the band renamed itself Violent Femmes. The word femmes (French: "Women" ) also means mama's boy in the Cajun dialect. Characteristic for the sound of the band are the use of an acoustic bass and the drums stand. The Violent Femmes combine folk with new wave, punk and indie rock - similar to The Only Ones, the Pogues or the Smiths. A deep attachment to traditional American music like country, blues and jazz is continuously shaped the music of the Violent Femmes.
Gone Daddy Gone The single from their first untitled album in 1983 just missed the entry in the charts of their home. Also, the album itself remained the catchment denied in the charts. It was years later to the first album, which reached platinum status in the United States without ever having been listed in the Billboard Top 200. In addition, the album contains the song Blister in the sun, which was used in the soundtrack of 1997 Grosse Pointe Blank. The second album Hallowed Ground came to England in 1984 to number 36 on The Blind Leading The Naked (1986 ) come up first sequencers and keyboards for use, the album also includes a cover version of the song Children Of The Revolution T. Rex. The band is a strong live band and is supported on stage occasionally by wind instruments ( the Horns of Dilemma ). If no wind is involved, often assumes a sound engineer that are important for some hits saxophone phrases. Despite their significant and highly professional musicianship remains on the stage room for humorous scenes. In addition to his acoustic bass are colorful ponchos for quirky visual trademark of Brian Ritchie.
In the late 1980s, the Femmes went their separate ways for the time being. Gordon Gano recorded his first solo album, while Brian Ritchie gradually comes up with three albums on which he pays homage to, among other jazz greats like Sun Ra. Only in 1989 there was a new album by the Violent Femmes 3. 1993 appeared the first official compilation Add It Up ( 1981-1993 ).
Drummer Victor DeLorenzo 1993 left the band to go on to a solo career, to which he had already issued two years earlier with his album Peter Corey Sent Me. For almost a decade took over Guy Hoffman ( born May 20, 1954), the drum part, starting in 1994, to New Times, the last major label album for Elektra Records.
In 1997, the band played themselves in the U.S. sitcom Sabrina - totally bewitched! (Season 1 episode 15)
In 2002, the band came back into the original cast in appearance and enjoys as before especially as a live band great popularity.
Gordon Gano
Victor DeLorenzo in the 90s
Brian Ritchie in the 90s
Discography
- Violent Femmes (Slash, 1983)
- Hallowed Ground (Slash, 1984)
- The Blind Leading the Naked (Slash, 1986)
- 3 (Slash, 1989)
- Debacle: The First Decade ( Liberation, 1990)
- Why Do Birds Sing? (Slash, 1991)
- Add It Up (1981-1993) (Slash, 1993)
- New Times ( Elektra, 1994)
- Rock! ! ( Mushroom, 1995)
- Viva! Wisconsin (Beyond, 1999)
- Freak Magnet ( Beyond, 2000)
- Something's Wrong (MP3, 2001)