Concrete Blonde
After spending several years in the embryonic form of Dream 6 (under which name they released an EP for Happy Hermit in France), Hollywood, California, USA rock band Concrete Blonde formed in 1986. The founders of the group, former Sparks personnel Earle (production) and Jim Mankey (guitars) plus Johnette Napolitano (bass/vocals), were joined by Harry Rushakoff (drums) for their debut on IRS Records. Its alluring mix of energy, sensitivity and streetwise wit secured Concrete Blonde a positive response from both the music press and maturer rock audiences. For FREE Napolitano handed over bass duties to new member Alan Bloch, allowing her to concentrate on singing. Irrespective of which she remained the focus of the band—her remarkable voice, which sounds both assertive and vulnerable, gives Concrete Blonde much of its poignancy and power. BLOODLETTING is perhaps the band's strongest album in terms of emotional intensity, with its painful dissection of an ailing relationship (all songwriting handled by Napolitano). It saw the introduction of new percussionist Paul Thompson (ex-Roxy Music), with the group now effectively a trio of Napolitano, Jim Mankey and Thompson. Their most recent release, MEXICAN MOON, includes Hispanic influences, and continues the vein of sincere, sassy and seductive rock which has made Concrete Blonde such a welcome presence over the last decade.