Violent Femmes Bring All Their Equipment on the Bus

I grew up on a steady diet of Violent Femmes, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and U2. My sisters are both around 10 years older than me, so some of my fondest memories at 7 were of getting to drive around in the car with them and get to listen to the Violent Femmes. I particularly loved Add It Up and Blister in the Sun. I never had any idea what they were talking about, but the music was super cool. Even as I got older, I’ve always loved the Violent Femmes. At their Jannus Landing show, the “White Spawn” singled me in what has probably scarred me for life. Then, in freshman year of college, they played our homecoming and after the show Gordon Gano was standing next to me in the crowd. I still regret that I didn’t turn to him and say: “The Violent Femmes bring ALL of their equipment on the bus!” That would have been super rad.

Anyway, rock out to Add It Up:

“Why can’t I get just one kiss?”

The Cure is an entirely different kind of love. Robert Smith is so super swoony. I wonder how many teenagers would make it through those horrible angsy years without the musical love and affection of Robert Smith.

“Just try to see in the dark
Just try to make it work…”