Details are scant, but it appears Concrete Blonde is reuniting this summer after a five-year split to mark the 20th anniversary of Bloodletting by going on tour and performing the 1990 album — with its crossover hit “Joey” and fan fave “Tomorrow, Wendy” — live in its entirety.
On its website, the band — the longtime core of singer/bassist Johnette Napolitano and guitarist James Mankey — has posted the cover of Bloodletting and this cryptic message: “Joey’s 20th Birthday / The Vampires Rise / Summer 2010” (shown above).
At least one tour date, however, has emerged: Concrete Blonde is scheduled to perform Bloodletting in its entirety — and Napolitano will be available for a meet-and-greet with paying fans — on June 21 at the Arvada Center for the Arts just outside of Denver, Colo.
Formed in Los Angeles in the early ’80s and signed to IRS Records in 1986, Concrete Blonde followed its breakthrough third album Bloodletting with the less successful Walking in London in 1992 and the Spanish-tinged Mexican Moon in 1993 — after which the band split. The group reunited in 2001, and released Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in 2004, plus a double live album in between, before pulling the plug a second time.
Earlier this year, Napolitano contributed “The Real Thing” — a 2004 single billed as the last song Concrete Blonde recorded — to a Haiti relief album that can be purchased here.
UPDATE 4/8/10: Nine U.S. dates for ‘Bloodletting’ tour have been announced.
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Got tickets! 5th row. Can’t afford the meet & greet. Hope this comes off well. I’ve seen Johnette twice at the Walnut Room. The first was one of my favorites events ever. Just her on a guitar. Live, her voice is unbelievable. The 2nd time she’d gotten heavy into the booze and was’t as good. She could sing in tune but it was kinda sad.
Just got word that they will be playing Webster Hall in NYC on June 10
I am really nuts about this band — I knew Joey but I wasn’t aware of just how good this band is. Honestly, watching that Letterman Someday — I get goose bumps—just spanky good.
What can I do to get Concrete Blonde in Vancouver?
Sincerely,
Glen Robbins
http://www.robbinssceresearch.com
Has anyone gone yet to one of the shows? I’m curious about what time they actually go on now that 3 opening bands have been listed for the NYC show at Webster Hall tomorrow. Do they play songs from any other albums?
I have 2 complete shows on four cds of the 2010 Bloodletting tour.
And 5 dvds of live show for the 1989 to 1993.
Email me at AliveinAtlanta@gmail.com