Craft Recordings and Violent Femmes are commemorating 40 years of the band’s sophomore title, Hallowed Ground, with a vinyl reissue. Set for release on November 8 and available for pre-order now, the LP has been mastered from the original stereo tapes.
In addition to the standard vinyl, widely available for the first time in over a decade, Hallowed Ground can also be found in four limited color pressings, including a Green Smoke variant (available at
vfemmes.com and
craftrecordings.com), Orange Smoke (
independent record stores), Azure Blue (
Barnes & Noble) and Onyx (
Spotify Fans First, available exclusively to followers). To mark this milestone, Violent Femmes are currently on a North America tour (see below).
First released in May of 1984, Hallowed Ground includes contributions from banjo player Tony Trischka on “Country Death Song” and “It’s Gonna Rain,” and saxophonist John Zorn on “Black Girls.”
The album’s lyrics delve into themes of faith, redemption and existential contemplation. This marked a bold departure from the more straightforward pop sound of the band’s debut, which featured beloved teen angst anthems like “Blister in the Sun,” “Add It Up” and “Kiss Off.” The record’s unique lyrical approach and haunting melodies created a deeply introspective and immersive listening experience that intrigued—and initially divided—listeners, including the band members themselves.
In a 2012 interview with the
Houston Chronicle, Brian Ritchie offered insight into the album’s creation and its initial reception, reflecting, “To me, it’s more punk to defy your audience than to play what they want to hear. But we lost our audience that way.” Speaking to the fact that both the debut and Hallowed Ground were written while Gano was still in high school, he added, “Ironically, we had the material for both albums. We could’ve put out a double or released Hallowed Ground first and then the debut. We chose to make the first one a pop album and Hallowed Ground a sprawling exploration of American roots music. We’re not considered in the Americana category . . .”
Click here to pre-order or stream/download Violent Femmes’ Hallowed Ground (40th Anniversary Edition).
Track Listing:
Side A
1. Country Death Song
2. I Hear The Rain
3. Never Tell
4. Jesus Walking On The Water
5. I Know It’s True But I’m Sorry To Say
Side B
1. Hallowed Ground
2. Sweet Misery Blues
3. Black Girls
4. It’s Gonna Rain
Tour Dates:
8/14: Northampton, MA – The Pines Theater
8/16: Centre Wellington, ON, Canada – Riverfest Elora 2024
8/17: Lafayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
8/18: Middlefield, CT – Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
9/7: Copper Mountain, CO – Union Peak Festival 2024
9/8: Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
9/9: Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
9/21: Southwest, DC – HFStival 2024
9/26: Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues Orlando
9/27: Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
9/28: St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
9/29: St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
10/1: Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
10/2: Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
10/4: Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
10/5: Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit
10/6: Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
10/8: Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
10/9: Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
George Paul
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