Project Description
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VIOLENT FEMMES
@ The Palais, Melbourne,
5th December 2024
(Live Review)
Review and photos by Lucas Packett (@lucas.packett.photography)
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Photo – @lucas.packett.photography
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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 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, which gave the young band a publicity boost and caught the attention of Richard Hell, who invited the Femmes to open for him in NYC. A rave review in the New York Times eventually led to a record deal, which in turn spawned worldwide touring.
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Photo – @lucas.packett.photography
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Tonight we see Violent Femmes in the wonderful surrounds of the Majestic Palais Theatre in Melbourne.
We have had the pleasure of Violent Femmes visiting our shores for the last 40 Years & tonight is a grand celebration of those many tours.
Playing not one, but two iconic albums in there entirety has the scene set for an exceptional night out – The debut album ‘Violent Femmes’ 1983 & Hallowed Ground’ 1984.
Hearing the first album of the night, which was actually Hallowed Ground, in all its fullness didn’t disappoint. The band ripped through all the tunes, in correct order & donned matching HG tee shirts with standout tracks being ‘Back Girls’ and ‘It’s Gonna Rain’.
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Photo – @lucas.packett.photography
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After a short intermission the band returned for the second album, the debut and of course the first track is ‘Blister In The Sun’, arguably their most famous and well known tune. This had the entire packed house on their feet dancing & continued to do so, with added singing of every word of every song right until the end.
It was great to see local musicians as part of the band’s brass section, Jack Howard (Hunters & Collectors) being one of them, along with a beautiful two song tribute to local guitar legend, Spencer P Jones in the encore.
Such a great feel good evening of music and nostalgia on the balmy St Kilda foreshore left every punter wanting more. Come back soon Violent Femmes!
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Photo – @lucas.packett.photography
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Check out Lucas Packett’s (@lucas.packett.photography) full gallery of this event HERE
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Photo – @lucas.packett.photography
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Follow VIOLENT FEMMES
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