Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes have unveiled their first new song in the 15 years that have passed since their last full-length album.

This is the improbable but true story of how the Pretenders launched Violent Femmes from sidewalk trio to one of the most successful alt bands of all time.

Poking fun at a person in order to develop a bond of familiarity is a delicate art that requires charm and panache.

Back for its ninth annual run, the Riot Fest & Carnival makes a return to Chicago’s Humboldt Park from Sept. 13-15. This year’s three-day bash boasts sets by the likes of Fall Out Boy, Blink-182 and Violent Femmes, plus a wealth of rides and other fun attractions.

Milwaukee’s renowned Summerfest is back for another go-round, and this year's festival runs from June 26 to July 7 at the scenic Henry Maier Festival Park. More than 800 bands from all genres -- rock, country, pop, alternative, R&B reggae, etc. -- are set to perform at the 11-day bash, including the Avett Brothers, fun. and Violent Femmes.

Does the acoustic guitar progression that opens the new commercial for Hewlett-Packard's DV6T laptop sound familiar? To any fan of the genre known back in the '80s as "college rock" or "progressive rock," it certainly should. In fact, pretty much anybody who came of age back in that decade should recognize the now-classic riff...