Mar. 24, 2026 More than four decades after the release of their landmark self-titled debut, the Violent Femmes remain one of alternative rock's most singular success stories. Blending folk, punk attitude, and raw confession long before "alt-rock" became a commercial force, the Milwaukee band carved out a sound that has only grown more influential with time. Now celebrating 45 years as a band, the Femmes are once again on the road, revisiting the songs that turned them into cult icons – even if many of those tracks, including the enduring "Blister in the Sun," were never traditional chart hits. Frontman Gordon Gano spoke with AllMusic about the band's ongoing anniversary shows, the surprising ways fans interpret his lyrics, and why some of the group's darkest songs receive the biggest reactions live. How has the 45 Years of Violent Femmes Tour been going? Will more dates be added? "It's interesting how tours are defined.…