Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes formed in 1981 as an acoustic punk band playing on the streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their main influences at that time were Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps and The Velvet Underground. Their goal was to rock harder than any other acoustic act on the planet.

After being rejected for an audition by a local nightclub, the Femmes set up outside a Pretenders gig and began to play. Pretenders’ lead singer Chrissie Hynde asked them to open that night’s show, which gave the young band a publicity boost and caught the attention of Richard Hell, who invited the Femmes to open for him in NYC. A rave review in the New York Times eventually led to a record deal, which in turn spawned worldwide touring.

Violent Femmes eponymous debut album became the first and only album in Billboard history to enter the charts with a platinum certification- eight years after its release. Over the ensuing three decades, the Femmes became a mainstay of festivals, clubs, and theaters in more than 20 countries worldwide.

MTV’s Unplugged show was inspired by the Femmes, although they never actually appeared on it. Their raw sound and honest lyrical perspective has been cited as an influence by artists as diverse as Pink, Keith Urban, The Smiths, The Pixies, John Cusack, Mark Morris, and Wim Wenders.

More than 40 years into their careers, Violent Femmes continue to attract young audiences on tour, create lasting music, and inspire people of all ages.

Upcoming Shows


May
12
th
Palace Theatre

Past Shows


Jun
25
th
2022
Palace Theatre
Jun
25
th
2022
Palace Theatre
May
28
th
2020
Palace Theatre
May
28
th
2020
Palace Theatre
Cancelled

Violent Femmes and X

2020
Aug
14
th
2019
Surly Brewing Festival Field
Aug
14
th
2019
Surly Brewing Festival Field

Ben Folds and Violent Femmes

with Savannah Conley
Oct
18
th
2017
Mainroom
Oct
18
th
2017
Mainroom

Violent Femmes

with Teenage Strangler
Jul
6
th
2016
Mainroom
Jul
6
th
2016
Mainroom

Violent Femmes

with BRETT NEWSKI & THE NO TOMORROW
Jul
5
th
2016
Mainroom
Jul
5
th
2016
Mainroom

Violent Femmes

with BRETT NEWSKI & THE NO TOMORROW

More Shows

Jun
25
th
Fine Line

Mystery Skulls

May
12
th
Palace Theatre

An Evening With
Violent Femmes

Aug
14
th
The Fitzgerald Theater

Dweezil Zappa

Jun
2
nd
Turf Club

Alien Ant Farm