Feb 2007
Band news: Blonde Redhead at last will comb the country
02/02/07 17:50
By SAM LADACH-BARK
It's been two years since they last toured. Finally, though, Japanese/Italian trio Blonde Redhead will hit the road for the first time since their lauded underground hit Misery is a Butterfly.
Their new LP, titled 23, will release on April 10th, almost two months before the tentative first show of their U.S. tour.
Originally made up of Japanese artists Kazu Makino and Maki Takahashi, and twin Italian brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace, the band in early 1993 recorded their debut self titled album with financial help from Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelly. Their early work emulated Sonic Youth, and the two bands spent time touring together during Blonde Redhead's early career.
Since the release of Melody of Certain Damaged Lemmons in 2000, the group sans Takahashi has found a sound all their own.
Makino's squealing vocals on top of solid guitar melodies has strayed more toward a pop '90s grunge sound rather than the band's erratic Sonic Youthian beginnings.
The defining moment came with their 2004 release Misery is a Butterfly. For this endeavor they were picked up by major U.K. label 4AD, who among other things became famous for releasing the Pixies' first albums.
Drenched with dreamy synth-pop and set against melodic guitar riffs, Blonde Redhead had not only found their sound, but had finally found their crowd. After their own multinational tour, they claimed a spot touring with short-lived indie rock icons Interpol.
It might be befitting for a band like Blonde Redhead to melt into the shadows just when they were getting popular. But beginning March 14th with the South by Southwest music festival, they will be hitting 20 cities from the east to west coast and everywhere in between.
Speaking from experience, a live performance by this band is not to be missed by die-hards and newbies alike. Makino's seductive stage presence combined with the resilience of the Pace brothers makes for a show that is true to the music but not without a few bends and curves.
Look for their new album 23 on April 10th, and get tour info here. To hear the music of Blonde Redhead, head this way.
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