The Untold Truth Of Violent Femmes

According to Spin, the Violent Femmes' "big break" was all about being at the right place at the right time. While they were still a trio of nobodies, they set up shop outside the Oriental Theater on August 23, 1981, in hopes of busking a few bucks off the people in line to see The Pretenders later that night. They actually nabbed the attention of Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, however, and lead singer Chrissie Hynde asked them to open. From there it was a straight shot to the top of the charts, right?

Not really. Gano told Spin that it was more fun anecdote than catapult ride to stardom. "It's a true story, but it wasn't a break," he said. "It was a tremendous experience, but it didn't lead to going on tour, getting any more gigs, getting hooked up in the industry, getting a record contract — none of that. But then later, when we were on tour and had a record out ... it was a fun thing to talk about, even though it didn't directly lead to that."

Ritchie said that they had to play out in the streets "because no one wanted us to play in the clubs." The Pretenders helped them realize the value of their music. It was inspiring "that these great international touring musicians recognized that we were interesting, whereas the people in Milwaukee thought we were losers."

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