The Frontier Touring Co. is proud to announce that Concrete Blonde will be returning to our shores this June to woo us with their powerful music that has fans and critics alike in awe. Originally from Los Angeles Concrete Blonde was founded by singer/songwriter/bassist Johnette Napolitano and guitarist Jim Mankey.
They grew out of the Los Angeles post-punk club circuit that produced bands like X, Wall of Voodoo, and the Go-Go's, but it wasn't until 1987 that the band recorded its first album. Initially called Dream 6, they changed their name to Concrete Blonde at the suggestion of labelmate Michael Stipe. Concrete Blonde recorded its self-titled debut album with Harry Rushakoff on drums, which betrayed the influence of the Pretenders.
1989's FREE was a tighter showcase for Napolitano's developing songwriting and produced a college radio hit with "God Is a Bullet". The morose, textured BLOODLETTING, a more accomplished record than both of its predecessors, broke the band to a wider audience with the left-field Australian No.1 Hit "JOEY", the tale of a love affair ended by alcoholism.
The next year's MEXICAN MOON reflected Napolitano's interest in Hispanic music and culture, and saw them tour Australia for the fourth time. Concrete Blonde then went their creative separate ways and saw Napolitano resurfaced in the band Pretty and Twisted with partner Holly Vincent. Two years later, Napolitano and Mankey reunited to record an eponymous album with the Los Angeles band Los Lllegals. The new millennium however saw Napolitano and Mankey reform CONCRETE BLONDE (to the relief of fans) after a six-year hiatus. Their latest album GROUP THERAPY marked the band's triumphant return and sees them heading our way for a string of national concerts on the back of two hugely successful U.S tours.
