If you’re one of those music fans who enjoys singing along to “Blister in the Sun” then you’ll likely be happy to know that Milwaukee’s Violent Femmes are coming to the Pittsburgh area in October.
The folk punk band will play Mr. Smalls Theater in Millvale on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. The Violent Femmes are touring in support of the 30th-anniversary reissue of the album “Why Do Birds Sing?” which includes the popular song “American Music.”
The Femmes came along at the tail end of the first wave of punk rock and made their big splash with their self-titled debut album in 1983. In addition to “Blister in the Sun,” the album included fan favorites “Kiss Off,” and “Gone Daddy Gone.”
“Violent Femmes” went on to become the band’s biggest selling album and was eventually certified platinum.
The band currently consists of founding members Gordan Gano on guitar and lead vocals, Brian Ritchie on bass and backing vocals, multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza and drummer John Sparrow.
In their shows, the Femmes also employ a horn section called the Horns of Dilemma.
“Blister in the Sun” has become an oft played tune at sporting events across the country and was used in a Wendy’s commercial after Gano sold the advertising rights which caused a falling out with Ritchie who didn’t approve. After Ritchie filed a lawsuit against Gano, the band split up in 2009.
The Violent Femmes reunited in 2013 and have been together ever since.
The group’s performance at Mr. Smalls is an all ages show with general admission tickets selling for $49.50.
