Violent Femmes

The Violent Femmes are a rock n' roll band, originally forming in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the early 1980s. Gordon Gano[?] (singer/guitarist), Brian Ritchie[?] (bassist) and Victor DeLorenzo[?] (percussionist) founded the group and were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott[?] (of The Pretenders). They signed to Slash Records[?] and released a self-titled album in 1983. The music was an innovative combination of folk and punk. The group quickly had a small, cult following that never burgeoned into widespread popularity. The debut album went platinum ten years after its release.

The following year, The Violent Femmes released Hallowed Ground[?], which moved the group to a more country music sound. The third album, The Blind Leading the Naked[?] was more mainstream, pop-oriented, resulting in a minor hit with "Children of the Revolution[?]" (originally by T. Rex). The group then disbanded, with Gano released a album in 1987, the result of a gospel side project as Mercy Seat[?]. Richie also released several solo LPs. The group came back together in 1989, releasing 3[?] and then Why Do Birds Sing?[?] (1991).

DeLorenzo left the group in 1993 to pursue a solo career. Guy Hoffman[?] (formerly of the Oil Tasters[?] and BoDeans[?]) replaced him in time to record New Times[?] (1994, Elektra Records). Rock!!!!![?] (1995, Mushroom Records) was released in 1995, in Australia only. Viva Wisconsin[?], a live album was released in the United States in 1999, on the independent label, Beyond[?], followed by Freak Magnet[?] (2001). Something's Wrong[?] (2001) was an album of covers, alternate versions of old songs, demos, covers and acoustic live performances, and was released as an Mp3-only album through Emusic.com.

The Violent Femmes Discography

Year	Title	Label
1983	The Violent Femmes	Slash[?]/Rhino[?]
1985	Hallowed Ground[?]	Slash/Rhino
1986	Blind Leading the Nake[?]	Slash[?]
1989	3[?]	Slash
1991	Why Do Birds Sing?[?]	Reprise
1994	New Times[?]	Elektra Records
1998	Rock!!!!![?]	Cold Front Records[?]
1999	Viva Wisconsin[?]	Beyond[?]
2000	Freak Magnet[?]	Beyond