Violent Femmes CD

Recorded between 1981 & 1983. Includes liner notes by Michael Azerrad.

An undisputed classic of the American rock underground, the Violent Femmes' 1982 self-titled debut still shines with its original luster. Quirky, catchy, innovative, and explosive, the Femmes made what was probably the first acoustic punk-folk-rockabilly-New Wave document for the dispossessed. The formula is as ingenious as it is simple--a trio playing guitar, bass, and drums runs through songs of adolescent angst, vulnerability, and social/sexual frustration.

In addition to their distinctive, minimal sound--guitarist Gordon Gano's rhythmic chord progressions filled out by Brian Ritchie's fluid bass and Victor De Lorenzo's aggressive brushwork on the drums--it is Gano's singing and superb songwriting that earmarks VIOLENT FEMMES. For the most part, Gano sounds like a psychotic, self-pitying, hormonally crazed teenager as he whines, stutters, and yowls his way through these remarkable songs. This two-disc deluxe edition includes rarities and live tracks, in addition to the paranoid "Kiss Off," the slinky "Gone Daddy Gone," and the lusty "Add It Up." And, of course, anyone who was a teenager in the '80s knows the glorious "Blister in the Sun," a seemingly permanent staple of dance venues across the United States.

In addition to their distinctive, minimal sound--guitarist Gordon Gano's rhythmic chord progressions filled out by Brian Ritchie's fluid bass and Victor De Lorenzo's aggressive brushwork on the drums--it is Gano's singing and superb songwriting that earmarks VIOLENT FEMMES. For the most part, Gano sounds like a psychotic, self-pitying, hormonally crazed teenager as he whines, stutters, and yowls his way through these remarkable songs. The CD includes two tracks not on the original album, in addition to the paranoid "Kiss Off," the slinky "Gone Daddy Gone," and the lusty "Add It Up." And, of course, anyone who was a teenager in the '80s knows the glorious "Blister in the Sun," a seemingly permanent staple of dance venues across the United States.

For their deluxe, two-disc reissue of the Violent Femmes' classic first album, Rhino pulled

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Additional Tracks; Deluxe Edition



Recorded at Castle Studios, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in July 1982 and Music Works Studios, London, England on August 31 & September 1, 1983.

The Violent Femmes: Gordan Gano (vocals, guitar, violin); Brian Ritchie (vocals, nose flute, xylophone, acoustic & electric bass); Victor DeLorenzo (vocals, drums, trancephone)

Producers include: Mark Van Hecke, Violent Femmes.

Reissue producers: Victor DeLorenzo, Brian Ritchie

Personnel: Gordon Gano (vocals, guitar, violin); Brian Ritchie (vocals, xylophone, acoustic bass, electric bass); Victor de Lorenzo (vocals, drums, bass drum, snare drum); Mark VanHecke (piano).

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: Michael Azerrad.

Recording information: Beneath-It-All Cafe, Milwaukee, WI (07/??/1982-09/01/1983); Castle Recording Company, Lake Geneva, WI (07/??/1982-09/01/1983); Folk City, New York, NY (07/??/1982-09/01/1983); Mark Van Hecke's Home Studio, Milwaukee, WI (07/??/1982-09/01/1983); Music Works, London, England (07/??/1982-09/01/1983); The Jazz Gallery, Milwaukee, WI (07/??/1982-09/01/1983).

Photographers: Ron Hugo; George Lange.

The Violent Femmes: Gordon Gano (vocals, guitar, violin); Brian Ritchie (acoustic & electric basses, xylophone, background vocals); Victor DeLorenzo (drums, tranceaphone, background vocals).

Q (9/02, p.130) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...This debut still sounds remarkably fresh today....An object lesson in reissue science."
Uncut (9/02, pp.122-123) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Innocent fun from an overlooked era."
CMJ (1/5/04, p.12) - Ranked #13 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1983".
CMJ (1/5/04, p.12) - Ranked #13 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1983".