Finally, violent femmes live

When it comes down to live shows, there are few bands that can match the energy and charismatic presence of the Violent Femmes. Their music has resonated through generations, dating from the early 1980s.

Gordon Gano’s distinctive, offbeat lyrics and the band’s punk/folk/ indie rock sound sets them apart from many bands of their time. 

As I grew up, the Violent Femmes played an integral part during the better part of my adolescence. I remember coming home from school when my parents were still at work, cranking the stereo to full blast and singing along to every word. Every song was relatable. The Femmes were the musical embodiment of young adult angst.

Given all that, this past summer when the chance arose to see them in concert in Portland, I jumped at the opportunity.

The venue was Project Pabst at the downtown Tom Mcall Waterfront Park. It was the end of July and the weather could not have been more perfect. The Project Pabst festival included other big names such as Billy Idol and T-Pain, but I didn’t care about any of that –. I just wanted to catch the Femmes.

The band took the stage, and the crowd roared. They opened with “Blister In The Sun.” Their energy and connection to the crowd was palpable. Fans were crammed shoulder to shoulder, pushed tightly together by the enthusiasm and excitement they were witnessing on the stage in front of them.

The band had only an hour’s time slot before the next group was scheduled to take the stage, so they weren’t wasting any time. They barreled through their self-titled debut album in its entirety at breakneck speed, engaging with the crowd a bit between every few songs. It was all the classics: “Kiss Off,” followed by “Add It Up” and “Please Do Not Go.” They moved through their first album so fast that the band had time to play “Black Girls” and “I Feel The Rain” from their second album, “Hallowed Ground.”

The hour flew by and when the smoke cleared, it left everyone craving more. If I had to find one thing to complain about, it would have to be the length of the show: It just wasn’t long enough. But, all in all, I came away from the show thrilled that I could be a part of it. 

Most of the crowd had soon dispersed but there were some diehards who lingered, hoping for an encore or to catch another glimpse of the band before they headed backstage for good. Overall, the conclusion of a Violent Femmes show is definitely bittersweet – leaving the crowd still energized and wanting more. 

Tyler Gragg