Name: Why Do Birds Sing?
Brand: Violent Femmes

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

7228697

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Colour

Grey

Colour details

Smoke

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Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-11-05

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0888072286979

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / grey

7226918

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Black

Extended format: No

2021-10-08

0888072269187

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Violent Femmes

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Concord

Concord is a publishing company with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Miami, London and Berlin. With an impressive global presence, Concord has established itself as a leading force in the music industry. Their diverse roster of *artists* and performers showcases their commitment to representing a wide range of musical genres.

With offices strategically located around the world, Concord is able to connect *musicians* with audiences on a global scale. Their extensive network allows them to provide unparalleled support and resources to their *artists*, ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed.

As a label, Concord prides itself on its ability to nurture talent and foster creativity. They are dedicated to helping *musicians* reach their full potential by providing guidance and support throughout every stage of their career. Whether it's through artist development programs or strategic marketing campaigns, Concord is committed to helping their *artists* thrive in today's ever-changing music landscape.

Violent Femmes were founded in 1980 by bassist/multi-instrumentalist Brian Ritchie and drummer Victor De Lorenzo. The name is a contradiction in terms, with "Violent" being self-explanatory and "Femmes" being Milwaukee slang for wimp.

The rhythm section added high school singer/songwriter Gordon Gano in 1981. Gano and Ritchie had previously performed together at Gano’s National Honor Society induction ceremony, where they caused a near riot. Gano was expelled from the Society and suspended from high school for this outrage.

One of the only stable aspects of the band is their aversion to rehearsal. Due to this, they would take the music to the streets in an attempt to hone it and earn some spare change. It was on one of these occasions that they were spotted by the Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde and the gang were so amused by Violent Femmes' antics that they invited them to open their show. The hometown Milwaukee audience initially booed them but ended up converting approximately 50% of the audience during their set.

The Femmes borrowed $10,000 from Victor De Lorenzo's dad to record their legendary first album in 1982. Slash Records in Los Angeles was the only label to offer them a deal with no advance payment. Despite facing numerous challenges such as world tours, nervous breakdowns, band members quitting, solo albums,

Remastered version of Why Do They Sing? - the fifth studio album from the textbook American cult band, Violent Femmes. It was their last studio album with original drummer, Victor DeLorenzo. Featuring the fan favourite “American Music,” which reached No. 2 in the Billboard Modern Rock Chart, as well as a cover of Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me.”

Violent Femmes captured the essence of teen angst with remarkable precision; raw and jittery, the trio’s music found little commercial success but nonetheless emerged as the soundtrack for the lives of troubled adolescents the world over. Their self-titled 1983 debut was a blueprint for legions of sardonic alternative rockers that would follow, and they continued their blend of searing, darkly humorous lyrics and sharp-edged folk-rock on other standout albums like 1991’s Why Do Birds Sing?.

Violent Femmes formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the early ‘80s, made up of singer/guitarist Gordon Gano, bassist Brian Ritchie, and percussionist Victor DeLorenzo. After being discovered by the Pretenders’ James Honeyman-Scott while they were busking on the street, the band signed to Slash and issued their self-titled debut, a melodic folk-punk collection which struck an obvious chord with young listeners who felt a strong connection to bitter, frustrated songs like “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off” and “Add It Up.” Though never a chart hit, the album remained a rite of passage for succeeding generations of teen outsiders, and after close to a decade after release, it finally achieved platinum status.

Why Do Birds Sing?

Music GB

Buy Violent Femmes - Why Do Birds Sing? (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.