Concrete Blonde
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Concrete Blonde was an American alternative rock band. They were active from the early 1980s to the early 1990s and, after breaking up in 1995, reunited in 2001. They are best known for the poignant songwriting and vocals of Johnette Napolitano.
Singer / songwriter / bassist Napolitano formed the band Dream 6 with guitarist James Mankey in Los Angeles in 1982, releasing an eponymous EP in France on the Happy Hermit label in 1983. When they signed with I.R.S. Records in 1986, labelmate Michael Stipe suggested the name Concrete Blonde, describing the contrast between their hard rock music and introspective lyrics. They were joined by drummer Harry Rushakoff on their eponymous debut album. Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson replaced Rushakoff on Bloodletting and several tracks on Mexican Moon, while Rushakoff was in treatment for drug addiction. Rushakoff was kicked out of the band in 2002 for failing to show up for several rehearsals and shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Their most commercially successful album was 1990's Bloodletting [1]. The band broke up in 1995, but reunited in 2001, releasing Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in 2004.
Johnette recently performed the main vocals on the score of the new Australian film West written and directed by Daniel Krige. She also sings the title song, "Falling in Love". West recently had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
On June 5, 2006, Napolitano announced in a MySpace blog entry that the band is officially retired.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
- Concrete Blonde, 1986
- Free, 1989
- Bloodletting, 1990
- Walking in London, 1992
- Mexican Moon, 1993
- Still in Hollywood, 1994, a collection of live recordings and previously unreleased material
- Recollection: The Best of Concrete Blonde, 1996
- Concrete Blonde y Los Illegals, 1997, collaboration with aLos Angeles-based Chicano Punk band
- Group Therapy, 2002
- Live in Brazil 2002, 2003, double live album
- Mojave, 2004
[edit] Singles
- "Still in Hollywood" 1986, 12" vinyl single
- "True" 1986, vinyl-only
- "Happy Birthday" 1989, UK single
- "God is a Bullet" 1989
- "Caroline" 1990
- "Joey" 1990
- "Everybody Knows" 1990
- "Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" 1992
- "Someday" 1992, two part CD single
- "Walking in London" 1992
- "Heal it Up" 1993
- "Mexican Moon" 1994
- "Jonestown" 1994, vinyl-only, includes uncensored version not available on album
- "Roxy" 2002
[edit] Related Projects
- Dream 6: Dream 6, 1983, reissued in 2003. Pre-CB group featuring Johnette Napolitano and Jim Mankey
- Johnette Napolitano and Holly Vincent: Vowel Movement, 1995
- Pretty & Twisted: Pretty & Twisted, 1995, Johnette Napolitano and Marc Moreland of Wall of Voodoo
- Johnette Napolitano: Lead Singer for THE HEADS, re-formed Talking Heads project with Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. Released "No Talking, Just Head" 1996
- Johnette Napolitano: Sound Of A Woman, 1998, unreleased solo album
- Johnette Napolitano: Sketchbook, 2002
- James Mankey: Jam, 2002
- Catfish Scar
- Johnette Napolitano: Sketchbook 2, 2006
