Blonde Redhead
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, noise rock, indie rock, dream pop, psychedelic rock, nu-gaze, experimental rock |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Smells Like, Touch & Go, 4AD |
| Website | www.blonde-redhead.com |
| Members | Kazu Makino Amedeo Pace Simone Pace |
| Past members | Maki Takahashi Toko Yasuda Vern Rumsey |
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of Kazu Makino (vocals, rhythm guitar) and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace (drums/vocals and lead guitar, respectively) that formed in New York City in 1995.
The band's earliest albums were noted for their noise rock influences, though their sound evolved by the early 2000s with the releases of Misery is a Butterfly (2004) and 23 (2007), which both incorporated elements of dream pop, shoegaze and other genres.[1] In 2010, the band released their eighth studio album, Penny Sparkle.
History
Amedeo and Simone Pace were born in Milan, Italy, grew up in Montreal (Saint-Léonard), but later moved to Boston to study jazz. After earning Bachelor's degrees, they entered the New York City underground music scene. Named after a song with the same title by DNA, a no wave band from New York, the band formed in New York in 1995 with Japanese musician Kazu Makino.
Blonde Redhead's self-titled debut album was released in 1995. Shortly afterward, 4th member Maki Takahashi left the band and was replaced by her friend Toko Yasuda as bassist who also was only in the band for a short time. The band continued as a trio. On their third album, Fake Can Be Just as Good, they were joined by Vern Rumsey of Unwound, who filled the role of guest bassist. On their more recent albums, Skúli Sverrisson, who the twins knew from their time in Boston, has been playing bass. He sometimes joins them for live performances. On their fourth album, In an Expression of the Inexpressible, Guy Picciotto of Fugazi was hired as producer. Picciotto also contributed in the construction to the song "Futurism vs. Passéism Part 2" as well as lending it his vocals. Picciotto also produced with Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studio the band's records Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery Is a Butterfly. Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, U2, Smashing Pumpkins) mixed 23 and Penny Sparkle which was released on 4AD, respectively in April 2007 and September 2010.
Blonde Redhead made extensive use of Teisco guitars early in their career, including the uncommon Teisco six-string bass.
The long delay between Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery Is a Butterfly is attributed to Makino's recovery time after being trampled by a horse.[2] Much of the visual and lyrical imagery of Misery Is a Butterfly is reflective of the accident, especially in the music video for "Equus".
The song "Spring and by Summer Fall" from 23 was recently used in the introduction to an October 2007 episode of the CBS series Numb3rs. "23" also appears on the internet and television commercials for the 2009 Pontiac promotion entitled "Experience Pontiac." Their song "Elephant Woman" was also used as the ending theme for the David Slade film Hard Candy.
The track "23" was also used in a trailer for the British TV series Skins in February 2008, an ad for Crystal Geyser in May 2008 in Japan, and an episode of Grey's Anatomy.
In mid-2008, they wrote and recorded more than 15 tracks for the score of the documentary feature film The Dungeon Masters. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on February 12, 2010; a soundtrack album was released in July 2010.[3][4] In 2009, Blonde Redhead contributed to the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization.
Their eighth album, Penny Sparkle, was released in September 2010.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | US | ITA | UK | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Blonde Redhead | - | - | - | Smells Like Records |
| 1995 | La Mia Vita Violenta | - | - | - | Smells Like Records |
| 1997 | Fake Can Be Just as Good | - | - | - | Touch and Go Records |
| 1998 | In an Expression of the Inexpressible | - | - | - | Touch and Go Records |
| 2000 | Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons | - | - | - | Touch and Go Records |
| 2004 | Misery Is a Butterfly | 180 | 42 | - | 4AD |
| 2007 | 23 | 63 | 20 | 152 | 4AD |
| 2010 | Penny Sparkle | 79 | - | - | 4AD |
EPs and singles
- 1993: Amescream / Big song – 7" Single, Oxo Records (OXO 009)
- 1994: Vague / Jet star – 7" Single, Smells Like Records (SLR007)
- 1995: 10 Feet High / Valentine – 7" Single, Smells Like Records (SLR014)
- 1995: Flying Douglas / Harmony – 7" Single, Rough Trade (45rev36)
- 1997: Symphony of Treble / Kasuality – 7" Single, Touch & Go Records (TG168)
- 1998: Limited conversation / Slogan – 7" Single, Touch & Go Records (TG188)
- 2000: Melodie Citronique – 12"/CD EP, Touch & Go Records (TG219)
- 2004: Elephant Woman – 7" Single, 4AD/Beggars Banquet (BAD2408) (UK No. 82)
- 2004: Equus – 7" Single, 4AD/Beggars Banquet (AD2415) (UK No. 84)
- 2005: The Secret Society of Butterflies – CD EP, 4AD/Beggars Banquet (BAD 2503)
- 2007: 23 – 7" Single, 4AD (AD2714)
- 2007: Silently – 7" Single, 4AD (AD2720)
References
- ^ Carr, Eric (April 12, 2004). "Misery is a Butterfly". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Blonde Redhead". Freewilliamsburg.com. 2004-03-23. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "The Playlist: Blonde Redhead Composing The Score To The Documentary, 'Dungeon Masters'". Theplaylist.blogspot.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ “The Dungeon Masters” Blonde Redhead Soundtrack and DVD Release", ifc.com, July 2010.
External links
- Blonde Redhead official website
- Blonde Redhead on current label 4AD Records
- Blonde Redhead on Myspace
- Blonde Redhead at Allmusic
- Brh.free.fr – fan site with lyrics, concert photos, etc.
- Blonde Redhead on The Lana Show
- Interview with Kazu Makino
- Interview with the entire band, September 2010
- Interview with Submerge Magazine "The Changelings" November, 2010
- Indie Pop Fever review of "Penny Sparkle"
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