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VIOLENT FEMMES -

45 YEARS OF VIOLENT FEMMES TOUR

Location(s):

The Sound

Formed in Milwaukee in 1981, Violent Femmes are an American folk-punk band known for their unique sound blending acoustic instrumentation with raw, angsty lyrics. The band's debut album, released in 1983, became a landmark of alternative rock and college radio.

The band was founded by bassist Brian Ritchie and drummer Victor DeLorenzo, with singer-songwriter and guitarist Gordon Gano joining shortly after. In their early days, the trio frequently busked on street corners, where they were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders, who invited them to open their show. This break led to a record deal with Slash Records and the release of their self-titled debut album in 1983.

The album featured many of the band's most iconic songs, including "Blister in the Sun," "Add It Up," and "Gone Daddy Gone." Though not an instant chart success, the album developed a cult following and eventually went platinum eight years after its release.

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Category(s):

Music & Entertainment

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Violent Femmes

Feb 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM