Violent Femmes Interviewed by John Simandiras

• Title: Violent Femmes Interviewed by John Simandiras
• Author: John Simandiras
• Publication: Blow Up - The Music Pages" (Thessaloniki, Greece)
• Date: 06-09-2000

1) Why did we have to wait for this first live album of yours ("Viva Wisconsin") so long?

Brian Ritchie here- Gordon Gano has a phobia of the internet. We tried to make a live album once before, but we switched drummers (Victor Delorenzo out-Guy Hoffman in) and we had to burn the tapes. Record companies don,t like live records, so we made this one when we were between deals. No none could stop us. And it is a beautiful thing. We tried to get the most intimate possible sound.

 2) What distinguishes "Viva Wisconsin" is that all of the songs contained here are performed acoustic. But the listener soon discovers that "acoustic" for Violent Femmes doesn't mean "softer", "mellower". It's not the usual kind of MTV unplugged performances for example, where everyone sits back and relaxes (or goes to sleep...). Violent Femmes are still rocking, even acoustically. Can't you people stop rockin' and screaming and so on? You're never getting tired? And one more thing: how would "Viva Wisconsin" sound, if it wasn't an acoustic record?

"MTV Unplugged should change its name to "MTV presents musicians who are uncomfortable playing acoustic music and do not understand acoustic sound. Why do they always sit down? Are they tired? We believe in rocking as an energy level, not a volume level. A big amplifier does not make one into Priapus.

 3) Violent Femmes have always been a trio. Ever thought of the group being, let's say, a quartet? In that case, who (male or female, dead or alive...) would be the ideal fourth member of the band, who would be the ideal fourth Violent Femme?

In the mid eighties we asked both Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson to join, but they ignored our requests. My choice would be Pythagoras for two reasons.
1.He,s Greek, so we'd be able to spend more time in Greece.
2. He was a great musical theoretician, but nobody knows what his music actually sounds like. I suspect it is quite similar to Violent Femmes.

 4) Over the years, Brian has released some very interesting solo records and Gordon, too, has had his side project, the fabulous Mercy Seat, but the Femmes were always kept alive and creative. What keeps you alive and all together for so many years?

Inertia is a powerful force in the universe. Also it is a dirty trick to split up a band and disappoint all the kids. It's heartbreaking for the fans when a great band splits up.

 5) For many people all over the world, your debut album was really a shock, a now regarded as a classic. It was folk, it was punk, it was jazzy, it was an aggressive blend of the best materials, it was based on strong lyrics and on unique vocals, it was full of energy. Once you hear it, you can never forget it. Fortunately, "Hallowed Ground" wasn't "Violent Femmes" No 2; it's been as good as the first album, but -at the same time- clearly different from it. Back then, how did you feel, when you entered the studio for "Hallowed Ground"?

We were aware that "Hallowed Ground would disgust and confuse the punk and rock orthodoxy who presume to define "Rock for the masses. Our use of jazz, folk, country and gospel influences on that album came at a time when such things were highly unfashionable. We knew that the album would be controversial. We have still not recovered commercially from the fallout.

Ironically we had all of the songs on "Hallowed Ground when we recorded the first album, so we could have recorded either one first. Despite or because of "Hallowed Ground's polarizing nature it remains our favorite studio album.

 6) While the Femmes were recording their great records back in the eighties, some other groups, like The Dream Syndicate, Green On Red, Rain Parade, to name but a few, were also releasing excellent LPs, far from the sound of the Femmes. Were you in any way connected to these people (Steve Wynn, Chuck Prophet, Russ Tolman...)? Do you like their (American) music?

We played with all of the bands you mentioned. They were great and nice guys too. You should be careful not to assume that we were part of that scene, however. We have continued to make music and grow in popularity until the current time. Beck, Smash Mouth, Rancid, Sugar Ray and Green Day are all bands who have opened for us recently. We are definitely not considered eighties nostalgia in America.

 7) Nowadays, could you write a song called "Old Mother Clinton"? What's your comment on the current President of the United States and his policy?

Don't blame us!!! Greeks are the ones who started democracy!!! You should have thought about where it would lead!!!! Seriously, we are not big fans of American politics. It is depressing.

 8) How old are your most devoted fans? I'm talkin' about people that attend your concerts and shout and scream and go crazy and, after the show is done, ask for an autograph... well, prove their love to you, in every way...

In America most of our fans are 12-25 years old, but we have some up to 60 or 70 years of age. In Europe the median age is a bit higher. We welcome any fans. Without them we would have very little fun.

 9) What's the best live album you 've ever heard?

For rock, Velvet Underground "1969 Live and Stooges "Metallic KO. For jazz, John Coltrane "Live at the Village Vanguard and Albert Ayler "Live in Greenwich Village.

 10) What's your strongest memory of Greece and, especially, Thessaloniki?

I like the peppers in Thessaloniki. I saw a huge jellyfish. The women are beautiful. Tripe soup. I heard someone blasting the Velvet Underground when I left the Byzantine church. Those are a few memories of Thessaloniki.