By Andy Tarnoff Publisher Published Jul 07, 2005 at 12:52 AM Photography: Eron Laber

{image1} Who cares if the Violent Femmes haven't put out a new album in five years? Who cares if their last hit, "American Music," came out back in 1991? When Milwaukee's most famous rock band plays Summerfest, as they did Wednesday night at the Miller Oasis, fans will come out of the woodwork. And even though they've been playing some of the same songs for up to 25 years, the trio was solid -- though not as flawless -- as ever.

If anything was different from a routine Femmes concert, it was the tempo. The first half of the 100-minute concert sounded just a bit slower than usual. It was obvious from the get-go when they opened with "Country Death Song" and "Please Don't Go." "36-24-26" dragged significantly, buoyed only by Brian Ritchie's increasingly masterful bass work. A side-stage vantage point provided for an interesting, yet occasionally obstructed view of the theatrics, coming mostly courtesy of drummer Victor DeLorenzo, who rejoined the band a few years ago.

Of course, the Femmes played the standards off their first record, like "Blister In The Sun" and "Prove My Love," and they unfortunately came across as a little bored on stage. But kudos for playing works from all their albums, including a few songs from "New Times" and "Freak Magnet." Though I didn't really want to hear these post-Delorenzo songs, as least they didn't pretend like the discs were never made.

Lead singer Gordon Gano threw a curveball with the addition of the fiddle on "Jesus Walking On The Water" and "Good Feeling," while Ritchie got super-funky on "Gimme The Car" with an unusually booming bass line. Absent was OMC friend and Milwaukee legend Sigmund Snopek III. Without him, the Horns of Dilemma were a little less menacing.

Despite the renewed energy in the band from DeLorenzo, the Femmes may have taken a small step back, musically, when he rejoined the band. At times, he seemed to be all over the place, changing speeds and even botching a few solos on "American Music," "Black Girls," and "Gone Daddy Gone." That said, the crowd barely noticed -- even if he got a little sloppy at times, I'll take Vic over Guy Hoffman any day of the week.

Evey time the Violent Femmes play, it's hard not to wonder if this show will be the last. They've slowed down a bit over the years, but as they closed with "Add It Up" and "Kiss Off" in front of a packed and screaming Summerfest, it was clear the native sons can still energize a hometown crowd.

Was the show as good as it was 15 years ago? Nope. But after seeing more than a dozen Femmes shows, even when slightly flawed, a V.F. gig beats the pants off most concerts at Summerfest. As long as they keep playing the Big Gig, count on the hometown fans to be there.

Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.

Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.

Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.