It's been 16 years, but Violent Femmes are back now with a vengeance. In anticipation of their new album We Can Do Anything, on Tuesday (Feb. 24), the acoustic punk trio made their first TV appearance in well over a decade for a pair or songs on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
For the late night show itself, Violent Femmes performed their new single "Memory." The energy and level of musicianship on stage made it feel as though no time had passed. Singer Gordon Gano's voice is as distinctive and comfortably warbling as ever, and the peppy tune with lyrics about reliving days gone by felt perfect for their first TV appearance in 16 years.
But, would any Violent Femmes appearance be complete without a performance of "Blister in the Sun?" Of course not. In a web exclusive video, the veteran Midwestern rockers rocked out to the 1983 smash hit, with a little help from Stephen Colbert himself. After engaging the audience in a singalong, the Violent Femmes told Colbert they heard he could sing, and soon the comedian joined the band in the punk classic's whispered verse and explosive final chorus.
Violent Femmes appeared on The Late Show in support of We Can Do Anything, their ninth studio album and first LP since 2000's Freak Magnet, which is due for release on March 4. If seeing Violent Femmes on TV wasn't enough for you, Examiner reports that the band will embark on a North American tour this May, kicking off on May 2 in Salt Lake City.
Violent Femmes 2016 North American Tour Dates:
05/02: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
05/03: Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
05/05: Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
05/06: San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay
05/07: Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre
05/08: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
05/10: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
05/11: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
05/13: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
05/14: Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
05/15: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
05/17: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
05/18: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
05/19: Missoula, MT @ The Wilma
