Concrete Blonde
Encyclopedia
Concrete Blonde is an alternative rock
band based in the United States
. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and again from 2001 to 2004, and once again in 2010.
/bassist
Johnette 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. A "Concrete Blonde" is also a derogatory term for the heavily hair-sprayed, permed and big haired appearance adopted by "Sunset Strip Metal" bands, such as Poison
and Ratt
. 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 rejoined the band to record 2002's Group Therapy, but was kicked out of the band for failing to show up for shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Concrete Blonde was featured prominently in the film The Hidden
(1987). Clarence Felder's character Lt. John Masterson rocks out to Concrete Blonde after being taken over by the alien.
Concrete Blonde's "Your Haunted Head" was also used in Tobe Hooper
's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 in 1986. When L.G. Returns to the Radio station he pulls up listening to it on the radio then while walking to the staircase he sings "Ghosts Inside Your Haunted Head!"
The B-side to the single of Joey, "I Want You
," was featured in Kathryn Bigelow's 1991 cult film Point Break
. The song plays as Lori Petty's character changes out of her bikini and into her clothes in the beginning of the film.
Their most commercially successful album was Bloodletting (1990), fueled by the top 20 radio hit "Joey
," which in turn inspired Sugarland's 2009 single of the same name. The band broke up in 1993, but reunited in 1997, and again 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. From the Concrete Blonde website, there is the following open message: "Thanks to everyone who heard and believed in the music. Music lives on. Keep listening. Keep believing, keep dreaming. Like a ripple, the music moves and travels and finds you. Drive to the music, Make love to the music, cry to the music. That's why we made it. Long after we're gone the music will still be there. Thanks to everyone who helped us bring the music to you & thanks to every face and every heart in every audience all over the world."
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 had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
. According to the SXSW music website, she also supplied music for another Australian movie titled Candy, and for two other films, besides touring the United States to promote her solo work entitled Scarred in an acoustic set featuring Concrete Blonde classics.
On November 25, 2008, "Long Time Ago" was used during the final credits during the series finale, Season 7 of The Shield
.
On July 13, 2010, Shout! Factory
released a remastered 20th anniversary edition of Bloodletting, compiled without blessings, input, or involvement from the band, it features six bonus tracks: "I Want You," "Little Wing," the French extended version of "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)", and live versions of "Roses Grow," "The Sky Is A Poisonous Garden," and "Tomorrow, Wendy." An error in the packaging of the re-release uses early non-album period photos featuring original drummer Harry Rushakoff, who had been replaced the night before the first studio session for "Bloodletting" by Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson. The essay included in the booklet also gives incorrect release dates for the band's previous albums.
Current drummer Gabriel Ramirez is featured on "Live in Brazil," "Mojave," and the CD single "The Real Thing," and toured with the band during the summer of 2010 on the "20 Years of Bloodletting: The Vampires Rise" North American tour and on select international dates through the rest of that year.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band based in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and again from 2001 to 2004, and once again in 2010.
Biography
Singer-songwriterSinger-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
/bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Johnette Napolitano
Johnette Napolitano
Johnette Napolitano is an American singer, songwriter and bassist best known as the lead vocalist/songwriter and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde.- Solo career :...
formed the band Dream 6 with guitarist James Mankey
James Mankey
James Andrew Mankey is an American rock guitarist, who has been the longtime guitarist in Concrete Blonde and also played with Sparks.Born 23 May 1952 in Washington, USA. Released J.A.M. - a solo work of instrumental music in 2003-External links:****...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1982, releasing an eponymous EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in France on the Happy Hermit label in 1983. When they signed with I.R.S. Records
I.R.S. Records
I.R.S. Records was a record label, started in the United States in 1979 by Miles Copeland III along with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles was also the manager of Wishbone Ash, The Police, and later, Sting, as well as other bands. I.R.S. was the sister label of Copeland's Illegal Records .I.R.S...
in 1986, labelmate Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe
John Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
suggested the name Concrete Blonde, describing the contrast between their hard rock music and introspective lyrics. A "Concrete Blonde" is also a derogatory term for the heavily hair-sprayed, permed and big haired appearance adopted by "Sunset Strip Metal" bands, such as Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
and Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
. 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
Harry Rushakoff
Harry Rushakoff is a former drummer for the band Concrete Blonde. He began in Chicago, playing with The Nodes and Al Jourgensen's first band Special Affect c.1978. He also played in Chicago area band 4xy with Bassist Chris Kirkendal, guitarist Eddie Yeo and singer Aidan Mann.-References:...
on their eponymous debut album. Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
drummer Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson (musician)
Paul Thompson is the drummer for Roxy Music from 1971 to 1980 and from 2001 onwards.In between those stints with Roxy Music, he was drummer in the Oi! band, Angelic Upstarts and the American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde...
replaced Rushakoff on Bloodletting and several tracks on Mexican Moon, while Rushakoff was in treatment for drug addiction. Rushakoff rejoined the band to record 2002's Group Therapy, but was kicked out of the band for failing to show up for shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Concrete Blonde was featured prominently in the film The Hidden
The Hidden
The Hidden is an American science fiction film produced and released in 1987 by New Line Cinema. The film was written by Bob Hunt and directed by Jack Sholder...
(1987). Clarence Felder's character Lt. John Masterson rocks out to Concrete Blonde after being taken over by the alien.
Concrete Blonde's "Your Haunted Head" was also used in Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for his work in the horror film genre. His works include the cult classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , along with its first sequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 ; the three-time Emmy-nominated Stephen King film adaptation...
's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 in 1986. When L.G. Returns to the Radio station he pulls up listening to it on the radio then while walking to the staircase he sings "Ghosts Inside Your Haunted Head!"
The B-side to the single of Joey, "I Want You
I Want You
- Albums :*I Want You , 1976*I Want You , 2007*I Want You *I Want You , 1981- Songs :*"I Want You" , 1966*"I Want You" , 2007...
," was featured in Kathryn Bigelow's 1991 cult film Point Break
Point Break
Point Break is a 1991 action film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty and Gary Busey. The title refers to the surfing term point break, where a wave breaks as it hits a point of land jutting out from the coastline.The film was a box office success upon...
. The song plays as Lori Petty's character changes out of her bikini and into her clothes in the beginning of the film.
Their most commercially successful album was Bloodletting (1990), fueled by the top 20 radio hit "Joey
Joey (Concrete Blonde song)
"Joey" is a song from Concrete Blonde's third and most successful album Bloodletting. The song was released in 1990 and was sung by Johnette Napolitano...
," which in turn inspired Sugarland's 2009 single of the same name. The band broke up in 1993, but reunited in 1997, and again in 2001, releasing the albums Group Therapy (2002) and Mojave (2004). On June 5, 2006, Napolitano announced in a MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog entry that the band has officially retired. From the Concrete Blonde website, there is the following open message: "Thanks to everyone who heard and believed in the music. Music lives on. Keep listening. Keep believing, keep dreaming. Like a ripple, the music moves and travels and finds you. Drive to the music, Make love to the music, cry to the music. That's why we made it. Long after we're gone the music will still be there. Thanks to everyone who helped us bring the music to you & thanks to every face and every heart in every audience all over the world."
In 2007, Napolitano performed the main vocals on the score of the new Australian film West
West (2007 film)
West is a 2007 Australian film, written and directed by Daniel Krige, starring Khan Chittenden, Nathan Phillips, Gillian Alexy and Michael Dorman...
written and directed by Daniel Krige
Daniel Krige
Daniel Krige is a writer, director and actor. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he grew up in Australia. Krige began working as a writer at the age of sixteen for Grundy Television.-History:...
. She also sings the title song, "Falling in Love". West had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
. According to the SXSW music website, she also supplied music for another Australian movie titled Candy, and for two other films, besides touring the United States to promote her solo work entitled Scarred in an acoustic set featuring Concrete Blonde classics.
On November 25, 2008, "Long Time Ago" was used during the final credits during the series finale, Season 7 of The Shield
The Shield
The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
.
On July 13, 2010, Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
released a remastered 20th anniversary edition of Bloodletting, compiled without blessings, input, or involvement from the band, it features six bonus tracks: "I Want You," "Little Wing," the French extended version of "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)", and live versions of "Roses Grow," "The Sky Is A Poisonous Garden," and "Tomorrow, Wendy." An error in the packaging of the re-release uses early non-album period photos featuring original drummer Harry Rushakoff, who had been replaced the night before the first studio session for "Bloodletting" by Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson. The essay included in the booklet also gives incorrect release dates for the band's previous albums.
Current drummer Gabriel Ramirez is featured on "Live in Brazil," "Mojave," and the CD single "The Real Thing," and toured with the band during the summer of 2010 on the "20 Years of Bloodletting: The Vampires Rise" North American tour and on select international dates through the rest of that year.
Studio Albums
- Concrete BlondeConcrete Blonde (album)Concrete Blonde is the acclaimed debut album of American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. "Still in Hollywood", "Your Haunted Head" and "Over Your Shoulder" were featured on The Hidden soundtrack. "Your Haunted Head" and "Over Your Shoulder" appeared also on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2...
(1986) - FreeFree (Concrete Blonde album)Free is the second album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, featuring the addition of second guitarist Alan Bloch.-Track listing:All songs written by Johnette Napolitano, except where noted.# "God Is a Bullet" - 4:24...
(1989) - Bloodletting (1990)
- Walking in LondonWalking in London (album)Walking in London is the fourth studio album from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. It features the song "...Long Time Ago" which played over the ending credits of The Shield's series finale.-Track listing:...
(1992) - Mexican MoonMexican MoonMexican Moon is the fifth full-length album from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:All songs written by Johnette Napolitano, except where noted.# Jenny I Read - 5:18# Mexican Moon - 5:03# Heal It Up - 4:21# Jonestown - 6:06...
(1993) - Concrete Blonde y Los IllegalsConcrete Blonde y Los IllegalsAn album produced as a joint effort between Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey, previously founding members of alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, and L.A. pachucho punk band Los Illegals...
(1997) – collaboration with a Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based Chicano punk band - Group Therapy (2002)
- MojaveMojave (album)Mojave is the seventh full-length album from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:#"The 'A' Road"#"Because I Can"#"True To This"#"Ghost Riders In The Sky"#"Hey Coyote"#"Himalayan Motorcycles"#"Mojave"#"Snakes"...
(2004)
Compilation and Live Albums
- Still in HollywoodStill in HollywoodStill in Hollywood is a collection of unreleased material, live tracks and cover songs from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:# It'll Chew You Up and Spit You Out...
(1994) – a compilation of live recordings, B-sides, and previously unreleased material - Recollection: The Best of Concrete BlondeRecollection: The Best of Concrete BlondeA best-of collection of songs from the history of alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:#"God Is A Bullet"#"Tomorrow, Wendy"#"Joey"#"Scene Of A Perfect Crime"#"Someday?"#"Ghost Of A Texas Ladies Man"#"Dance Along the Edge"...
(1996) - Includes 17 tracks from first five albums, plus a live cover version of Mercedes Benz. - Classic Masters (2002) - 24-bit remastering of 12 tracks from their first five albums
- Live in Brazil 2002Live in Brazil 2002A double-disc recording of the alternative rock band Concrete Blonde performing live in Brazil in 2002.-Track listing:Disc 1:#"God Is A Bullet"#"Valentine"#"Tonight"#"Everybody Knows"#"The Vampire Song"#"Take Me Home"#"Little Conversations"...
(2003) – double live album - The Essential (2005) - Remastered by Capital Records Essentials Series, includes 13 tracks from first four albums, with a slightly different version of the song Sun.
Chart singles
| Year | Title | U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. Mod rock Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
U.S. Main rock Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "God Is a Bullet" | - | 15 | - | - | Free |
| 1990 | "Joey" | 19 | 1 | 20 | - | Bloodletting |
| "Caroline" | - | 23 | - | - | ||
| "Everybody Knows" | - | 20 | - | - | Pump Up the Volume: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| 1992 | "Someday?" | - | 8 | - | - | Walking in London |
| "Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man" | - | 2 | - | - | ||
| 1993 | "Heal It Up" | - | 16 | - | - | Mexican Moon |
Related albums
- Dream 6 – Dream 6 (1983) – reissued in 2003, Pre-Concrete Blonde group featuring Johnette Napolitano and Jim Mankey
- The song "Everybody Knows," written by Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
and performed by Concrete Blonde, originally released on Pump Up The Volume : Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1990) and re-released on Recollection: The Best of Concrete BlondeRecollection: The Best of Concrete BlondeA best-of collection of songs from the history of alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:#"God Is A Bullet"#"Tomorrow, Wendy"#"Joey"#"Scene Of A Perfect Crime"#"Someday?"#"Ghost Of A Texas Ladies Man"#"Dance Along the Edge"...
(1996) as well as on Still in HollywoodStill in HollywoodStill in Hollywood is a collection of unreleased material, live tracks and cover songs from alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.-Track listing:# It'll Chew You Up and Spit You Out...
(1994) - Andy PrieboyAndy PrieboyAndy Prieboy is a musician, author, and former morgue attendant. He was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in East Chicago, Indiana....
– ...Upon My Wicked Son...Upon My Wicked Son...Upon My Wicked Son is the first solo album by Andy Prieboy, released in 1990 . The album cover is "Fallen Angel" by David Sandlin."On the Road Again" is a cover of the Canned Heat song, whose lyrics inspired the album's title...
(1990) – Johnnette sings backing vocals to Andy's lead on "Tomorrow, Wendy" - Contributed the song "Endless Sleep" to the compilation Fast Track to NowhereFast Track to NowhereFast Track to Nowhere is the soundtrack album to the series Rebel Highway. Released in 1994, the album features contemporary artists covering classic songs from the 1950s.- Track listing :...
(1994). - Vowel Movement – Vowel Movement (1995) – Johnette Napolitano and Holly VincentHolly VincentHolly Beth Vincent is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumental musician. Her band Holly and the Italians was one of the first American punk bands led by a female and signed to a major label....
- Pretty & Twisted – Pretty & Twisted (1995) – Johnette Napolitano and Marc Moreland of Wall of VoodooWall of VoodooWall of Voodoo was an American New Wave group from Los Angeles best known for the 1983 hit "Mexican Radio". The band had a sound that was a fusion of synthesizer-based New Wave music with the spaghetti western soundtrack style of Ennio Morricone.-Formation:...
- Johnette Napolitano – No Talking, Just HeadNo Talking, Just HeadNo Talking, Just Head is an album by The Heads, a band composed of Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads, joined by a variety of guest singers...
(1996) – Lead Singer for The Heads, re-formed Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
project with Jerry HarrisonJerry HarrisonJerry Harrison is an American songwriter, musician and producer...
, Chris FrantzChris FrantzChris Frantz is an American musician and record producer. He was the drummer for both Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club.-Career:...
and Tina WeymouthTina WeymouthMartina Michèle "Tina" Weymouth is an American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist of the New Wave group Talking Heads and its side project Tom Tom Club .-Profile:Weymouth is of French heritage on her mother's side. Weymouth was a cheerleader in high school... - Johnette Napolitano – Sound of a Woman, (1998) – unreleased solo album
- Johnette Napolitano – Sketchbook "Arms to Heaven" (2002)
- James Mankey – Jam (2002)
- Johnette Napolitano – Sketchbook 2 (2006)
- Johnette Napolitano - Scarred (2007)
- Johnette Napolitano - Sketchbook 3 (2010)
Further reading
- Huey, Steve. "[ Concrete Blonde]" Allmusic Guide. Retrieved on May 20, 2007.
- Golde, Kimberlye (2002). "Almost Famous" San Francisco Herald. Retrieved on May 20, 2007