Friday, June 11th, 2010 at The Newport
Photos by Ryan Reeves of Front Stage Photography
When Michael Stipe of R.E.M. suggested the name Concrete Blonde for a relatively unknown band called Dream 6 back in 1986, I wonder if he realized the almost clairvoyant accuracy of this title?
Concrete Blonde officially started in 1982, with lead singer/songwriter/bassist Johnette Napolitano and guitarist James Mankey, and though they’ve stopped and started their music career several times, if anything, it has made the music stronger, and unfathomably more soul-driven. They have reunited again this year with drummer Gabriel Ramirez, and graced The Newport Music Hall Friday, June 11 with a show that was proof they are still hard-working and truly gifted musicians.
The band name change came when they signed on with IRS Records, and represents their edgy, hard rock sound combined with lyrics that are introspective. Nearly three decades after the birth of Napolitano and Mankey’s intellectual collaboration, it is clear that concrete is the perfect description of their lasting skills. They first had college radio air play with the hit, “God is a Bullet,” and hearing this song live was electrifying! Commercial success came just one year later in 1990, with the album Bloodletting and the Top 20 Hit to emerge, “Joey,” with which they rocked the audience only second on the set list. This was a sign of the brilliance demonstrated consistently through the show.
I will admit, I was not anticipating such a hard, grunge rock edge from the band I knew of only through what has now become an adult soft-rock hit—of course, I’m referring to the heartfelt anthem “Joey.” I was wrong to assume that because of the deserved commercial success in the early 90’s it would’ve tarnished the creative spirit of making music as it has done so many other bands. No, they’ve held on tight to maintain integrity, and the finely-polished, bluesy, rough-driven sound is absolute proof.
Johnette’s vocals are fiery and passionate with a strong hint of Janis Joplin, minus the drugs and tragic death, thankfully. Their heart and real effort is motivated to produce reflective, rich sounding melodies with the ferocity of grunge that kicks you in the teeth and knocks you on your ass while you’re screaming, “Hell yeah!”