Communiqué
An electrifying concert which mixes classical and rock in “VIOLENT FEMMES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY” – Dec. 13 at 10 pm
< < Back to an-electrifying-concert-which-mixes-classical-and-rock-in-violent-femmes-40th-anniversary-with-the-milwaukee-symphony-dec-13-at-10-pmVIOLENT FEMMES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY
Friday, December 13 at 10:00 pm
On December 13, 2024, the Milwaukee PBS production of the Emmy nominated Violent Femmes 40th Anniversary with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will air nationally on PBS stations across the country. This concert is a celebration of the Violent Femmes iconic debut self-titled album and greatest hits including “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” “Add It Up” and “Gone Daddy Gone” along with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band who began playing acoustic punk on the streets of Milwaukee. They were discovered in 1981 while busking outside the Oriental Theatre where the Pretenders were playing later that evening. The lead singer, Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act.
Gordon Gano, the lead vocalist & guitar player was still in high school when he wrote all of the songs for the Violent Femmes’ first album. Today, the Violent Femmes consist of founding members Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie, joined by multi instrumentalist Blaise Garza and drummer John Sparrow.
This concert with the Violent Femmes and the Milwaukee Symphony was produced and recorded by Milwaukee PBS at the Bradley Symphony Center on October 3, 2023.
“We’re excited to share this incredible concert with our audience as well as PBS stations around the country” said Debbie Hamlett, General Manager of Milwaukee PBS. “Listening to this amazing music with a “backup” symphony is an experience I hope you’ll never forget!”