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Violent Femmes Mark 30 Years Of “Why Do Birds Sing?” With Deluxe Anniversary Reissue

Violent Femmes released their fifth studio album, Why Do Birds Sing?, on April 30th, 1991 and now the band has announced a celebratory 30th anniversary reissue that will feature the original album as well as demo and alternate versions as well an entire concert recorded in 1991.

black & white photo of members of Violent Femmes taken in 1991 by Howard Rosenberg
Violent Femmes in 1991 photo by Howard Rosenberg

Featuring songs like American Music, Out The Window, and their fan-favorite cover of Culture Club’s Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Why Do Birds Sing was produced by Michael Beinhorn and was the last album including all 3 original members of Gordon Gano, Brian Ritchie, and Victor DeLorenzo. DeLorenzo left the group to focus on acting and drummer Guy Hoffman stepped into the roll of drummer until 2002.

In standard reissue fashion the new anniversary reissue will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl. Fans can preorder/presave the anniversary reissue here. The band will tour the US this fall along with Flogging Molly with a stop the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston on September 17th.

Why Do Birds Sing? (Deluxe Edition) (2-CD/digital editions tracklist)
* denotes previously-unreleased material

Disc 1

  1. American Music
  2. Out the Window
  3. Look Like That
  4. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
  5. Hey Nonny Nonny
  6. Used to Be
  7. Girl Trouble
  8. He Likes Me
  9. Life is a Scream
  10. Flamingo Baby
  11. Lack of Knowledge
  12. More Money Tonight
  13. I’m Free
  14. Me and You*
  15. Color Me Once (Early Version)*
  16. 4 Seasons (Early Version)*
  17. Breaking Up (Early Version)*
  18. American Music (Alternate Mix)*
  19. Dance, M.F., Dance!

Disc 2

  1. Look Like That (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  2. Out The Window (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  3. Fat (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  4. Blister in the Sun (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  5. Prove My Love (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  6. Country Death Song (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  7. Old Mother Reagan (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  8. Confessions (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  9. Girl Trouble (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  10. Add It Up (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  11. Good Feeling (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)
  12. More Money Tonight (Live At The Boathouse, Norfolk, VA / 1991)