 Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes) |
 Brett Anderson (The Donnas) |
 Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes) |
Review and photos of The Donnas by Phil Bonyata
The Violent Femmes have remained alt-rock icons for over two decades mostly based on their seminal early '80s releases Violent Femmes and Hallowed Ground. The Femmes were "discovered" outside the Oriental Theatre in 1980 by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. She offered them the opening spot on their upcoming tour. The rest is history.
Photos of the Violent Femmes by Karen BondowskiOriginal drummer Victor DeLorenzo rejoined the band over two years ago. With the founding trio (along with singer-guitarist Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie) now back together - the Femmes were ready to show what people are buzzing about.
The Milwaukee natives hosted a special Rock 102.1 radio gig to a jammed-packed Rave Friday night. Stripped down and bare bones as always the Femmes nonetheless create luscious layers of sound with morbid and comical lyrical wordplay. Their influence over the last twenty years cannot be overstated. Shooting out of the gates with "Waiting for the Bus" to an adoring audience DeLorenzo brushed and peppered his drumsticks over his stripped-down drum set with the enthusiasm of a kindergartner not yet burdened with society's rules. Their music is rife with urgent despair and adolescent rebellion. Something Blink-182 and the likes will never understand. "Gone Daddy Gone" had Gano and Ritchie exchanging spirited notes over DeLorenzo's hot potato beats. Two mallets playfully beat the xylophone searching for its full chromatic scale. Gano let the whine loose on "Blister in the Sun." Waiting for DeLorenzo's simple beats to set the tone, Gano took the lyrics on a slow ride waiting to crash into the explosive chorus. "Kiss Off" showed it's tasty flavor in Ritchie's jaunty bass and Gano's expressive chord play. "Dance Motherfucker Dance" and "Gimmie the Car" let the minimalism shine as each sparse note had more important things to say than many complex jazz arrangements. "Black Girls" found DeLorenzo take flight with a spirited and interpretive drum solo. Everybody's favorite anthem "American Music" had its autobiographical chorus bare new life with Gano's passionate delivery. The band has a naturally intuitive synergy. Looseness slowly shifting to tighter arrangements than ever so freely reverting back to the playground.The Femmes are the masters of testosterone laden music that resonates with people of all ages. With middle-age settling-in for the band and many fans, the Femmes music will remain forever young.
The four girl rock-pop band The Donnas have a rep for putting on very energetic and fan friendly shows night in and night out. On this night they didn't disappoint. Some would say that the four women in the band are edgy, enthusiastic and talented musicians - their naysayers would say that they are making it more by their looks rather than their talent.
The Donnas brand of power-pop is still refreshing even though it's been done before by the likes of the Go-Gos and the Bangles. Lead singer Brett Anderson, fit for the nearest model's runway, commanded the stage at every step. Preening while playfully teasing at the same time she let her convincing voice lend some weight to the lyric's generally lightweight content. Guitarist Allison Robertson is a budding Angus Young with her muscled-up power chords swirling as fast as her flailing hair. Her liberal use of open chords helped to drive the entire set. Drummer Torry Castellano beat the skins with abandon as bassist Maya Ford stood cooly in the corner and let her roaring bass do the talkin'.
On "Take It Off" the women let it be known that it's still fun just to rock 'n roll. And it certainly doesn't hurt when you look hot too.
Brett Anderson (The Donnas)
Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)
Allison Robertson (The Donnas)
Maya Ford (The Donnas)
Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes)
Brett Anderson (The Donnas)
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