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Concrete Blonde is an alternative rock band dating from the late 1970s to
the early 1990s (and re-formed again in the 2000s). They are most 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 the early 1980s. When they signed
with I.R.S. Records in 1987, 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.
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Their most popular album was the 1990 Bloodletting. The band broke up in
1993, but reunited in 2001, releasing Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in
2004.
Famous songs
The two most well-known are from the Bloodletting album:
Joey, which made it to the Top 20. The acoustic version is particularly well-known;
Tomorrow, Wendy, also from Bloodletting, a cover of a Andy Prieboy song.
Known for the refrain "Tomorrow Wendy is going to die . . . " In the song
Johnette express revolt against God and what she considers an unjust world
filled with suffering everywhere she looks. In concert Johnette was known to
introduce "Tomorrow Wendy" as a song "about a woman with AIDS." Some people
mistakenly attribute this (and the above) song to the singer Sheryl Crow.
Other notable songs from the group include:
God is a Bullet, which received much airplay on college radio
Everybody Knows, a cover of a Leonard Cohen song (made famous since this
version appears on the Pump Up the Volume movie soundtrack in place of
Cohen's version, which is played throughout the film. The CB version shows
up towards the end of the film.)
Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man from Walking in London
Bloodletting (the Vampire Song), the title track from the Bloodletting CD,
which features the sounds of a downpour and a chiming clock not unlike that
of Big Ben. |
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CONCRETE BLONDE PICTURES |
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MOST POPULAR
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Alba
Paris Hilton
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Simpson
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Lindsay Lohan
Shakira
Beyonce
Hilary Duff
ADDITIONS
Miley Cyrus
Rihanna
Hayden Panettiere
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Vanessa Hudgens
Ashley Tisdale
Jonas Brothers
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