Emma Harsin
Iron Quill

Since the early 1980’s, the Violent Femmes have released record after record. Known as the “godfathers of folk-punk”, the band has been touring nonstop since February of 2005. During their second stop in Tucson while on tour, the Violent Femmes played on December 30, 2006, with locals Andrew Collberg and Conner Gallaher at the historical Rialto Theatre.

Though members of Tucson band The Afrodelic Stegosauchestra, Collberg and Gallaher opened without their additional band mates for the Violent Femmes. Collberg was the official opener, with Gallaher accompanying him on electric guitar. Starting with “Dream Tonight”, the two young men pleased the crowd with poppy, yet soulful lyrics and relaxing slide guitar. After the pair left the stage, the road crew began to set up for the much-anticipated headlining band.

Victor DeLorenzo, Gordan Gano, and Brian Ritchie took the stage, opened with “Mother of a Girl,” and proved that the trio still has the energy and charisma they did 25 years ago. Gano, guitar player and singer, has retained the nasally voice that debuted in their self-titled album in 1982. On multiple occasions, Ritchie, bass player, stepped to the front of the stage to show his intense bass skills with pounding solos. DeLorenzo, drummer, sold the show with his amusing, enthusiastic playing, and animated gallivanting about the stage at every opportunity.

Among the Femmes’ set list were classics, “Add It Up”, “Blister in the Sun”, “Gone Daddy Gone”, and “Good Feeling”. When Gano started strumming his violin, the crowd went crazy for the semi-religious hymn, “Jesus Walking on the Water”. Concert lights were dimmed, and the crowd pulled out their lighters to better set the mood. They closed the show with their hit “Kiss Off” around 11 p.m.

Even after 25 years of playing, the Violent Femmes have kept their charismatic, fun, energetic show style alive. They not only put on an entertaining show, but sound great while doing it.