Concrete Blonde is an American alternative rock band. They were initially active from active from the early 1980s to 1995, and reunited in 2001. They are best known for the poignant songwriting and vocals of Johnette Napolitano.
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Biography
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. During an MTV interview, Napolitano can also be quoted as saying that the name Concrete Blonde is just "two words that sound good together." 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 Bloodletting (1990), fueled by the top 40 radio hit "Joey". The band broke up in 1993, but reunited in 2001, releasing the albums Group Therapy (2002) and Mojave (2004). On June 5, 2006, Napolitano announced in a MySpace blog entry that the band has officially retired. In 2007, Napolitano 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.
Discography
Albums
- Concrete Blonde (1986)
- Free (1989)
- Bloodletting (1990)
- Walking in London (1992)
- Mexican Moon (1993)
- Still in Hollywood (1994) - a compilation of live recordings and previously unreleased material
- Recollection: The Best of Concrete Blonde (1996)
- Concrete Blonde y Los Illegals (1997) - collaboration with a Los Angeles-based Chicano Punk band
- Classic Masters(2002)
- Group Therapy (2002)
- Live in Brazil 2002 (2003) - double live album
- Mojave, (2004)
- The Essential(2005)
Singles
- "Still in Hollywood" (1986) - 12" vinyl single
- Still In Hollywood
- Still In Hollywood [Edit]
- "True" (1986) - vinyl-only
- True
- True II
- "Dance Along The Edge" [12"]
- "Happy Birthday" (1989) - UK single
- Happy Birthday
- Run,Run,Run
- "God is a Bullet" (1989)
- God Is A Bullet
- Free
- Little Wing
- "Caroline" (1990)
- Caroline [Edit]
- Roses Grow [Live]
- Tomorrow, Wendy [Live]
- The Sky Is a Poisonous Garden [Live]
- Little Wing
- "Joey" (1990)
- Joey
- I Want You
- "Everybody Knows IRS US promo yellow CD (1990)
- Everybody Knows
- "Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" (1992)
- Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man
- Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) [Extended Version]
- Everybody Knows
- The Ship Song
- "Someday" (1992) - two part CD single
- Someday
- Happy Birthday
- Joey
- Still In Hollywood
- Probably Will
- 100 Games Of Solitaire
- Les Coeurs Jumeaux
- "Walking in London" (1992)
- Walking in London
- God Is a Bullet [Live]
- Free
- 100 Games of Solitaire
- "New Songs & Resurrections "
- heal it up
- walking in london
- mexican moon
- god is a bullet
- jenny i read
- true
- "Heal it Up" (1993)
- "Mexican Moon" (1994)
- Mexican Moon
- Bajo La Luna Mexicana
- Mandocello
- Castles Made Of Sand [Live]
- Shout [Live]
- "Jonestown" (1994) - vinyl-only, includes uncensored version not available on Album
- Jonestown
- Jonestown (Jim Jones edit)
- Simple Twist of Fate
- "Roxy" (2002)
- Roxy [Radio Edit]
- The God In You
- "The Real Thing"
Related Albums
- Dream 6 - Dream 6 (1983) - reissued in 2003, Pre-Concrete Blonde 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 - "No Talking, Just Head" (1996) - Lead Singer for The Heads, re-formed Talking Heads project with Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth
- 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)
- Andy Prieboy - ...Upon My Wicked Son (1990) - Johnnette sings backing vocals to Andy's lead on Tomorrow, Wendy
References
- Huey, Steve. "Concrete Blonde" Allmusic Guide. Retrieved on May 20, 2007.
- Golde, Kimberlye (2002). "Almost Famous" San Francisco Herald. Retrieved on May 20, 2007.
