Violent Femmes

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 8

Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes, supported by the Chills, at the Sandridge Hotel last evening. Reviewed by Tony Green. The Violent Femmes are aware of the cliched image that the term “American band” conjures up, and at a packed Sandridge Hotel last evening they used a wickedly satirical and entertaining set to show that originality and flair can still exist in the otherwise turgid American rock scene.

The three-piece line-up of Gordon Gano on guitar and lead vocals, Brian Ritchie on acoustic bass, and Victor de Lorenzo on stand-up drum kit combine to create a sparse yet varied sound, which touched on most types of contemporary music in their 70 minutes on stage. For example, after a bluesy number they would delight in pointing out that members of the crowd were

supposedly calling out for more “noo wave,” and oblige by launching into a faster song such as “Hot Day,” or "Gone Daddy Gone,” which highlighted the very tight Femmes sound.

Often, however, they would interrupt the song with strange psychedelic playing, usually with the brilliant, jazzy drumming of de Lorenzo at the fore, but also displaying the musical virtuosity of the other two members.

It was interesting to hear members of the audience mentioning bands such as the Modern Lovers, the Feelies, the Stray Cats, and even the Ramones in connection with the Violent Femmes. Really they occupy their own niche in American music at the moment, being more on a par with Talking Heads in terms of individualism and spirit

Their lyrical approach is simplistic, titles such as “Prove My Love,” "Please do not Go,” and “Gone Daddy Gone” being good summations of song content, but the anti-war sentiment of “Confessions” showed that the Femmes are not afraid of purging their conscience (?) on occasions.

The sound throughout the main act was excellent, after the Dunedin support band, Chills, had suffered from a rather muddy sound early on. In spite of this, they showed the power and tunefulness that have many comparing them with New Zealand’s best.

Songs such as “Oncoming Day,” “Dead Eyes,” “Can’t Even Understand,” and their new single “Pink Frost” were consummately wonderful, and the two bands complemented each other to make this a great night out.