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 simple: 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, giving the young band a huge publicity boost and catching the attention of Richard Hell, who invited the Femmes to open for him in New York City. A rave review in the New York Times soon followed, leading to a record deal and eventually worldwide touring.

The band’s 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 next three decades, Violent Femmes became a mainstay of festivals, clubs, and theaters in more than 20 countries worldwide.

MTV’s Unplugged series was inspired by the Femmes, though the band never actually appeared on it. Their raw sound and honest lyrical perspective have been cited as influences by artists as varied as Pink, Keith Urban, The Smiths, The Pixies, John Cusack, Mark Morris, and Wim Wenders.

More than 40 years into their career, Violent Femmes continue to attract young audiences, create lasting music, and inspire listeners of all ages.