Growing Up Gordon You’d never guess from the iconoclastic songs on Violent Femmes’ classic, self-titled debut album that Gordon Gano came from a devoutly religious household. His dad, Rev. Norman Gano, was a priest of the American Baptist Church who led multiple congregations over the course of his career. Gordon grew up entranced by the sermons and hymns he would hear in church. But Rev. Gano had other passions besides the priesthood – he was heavily involved in theater as an actor, director, and teacher, establishing nearly as many theater companies as congregations. Gordon was bitten by the theater bug at a young age, appearing in his father’s productions and likely developing ideas about dramatic presence that would serve him well as a singer.