Concrete Blonde – The Vampires Rise

Concrete Blonde will return to Australia to perform and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their sublime Bloodletting album as well as songs from their remarkable catalogue which includes albums such as Concrete Blonde, Free, Walking In London and Mexican Moon and later work including Group Therapy. So yes there is a good chance we will get to hear True and Still In Hollywood at least one more time…

For this tour Johnette Napolitano has been re-joined by the wonderful guitar playing and all round “good guyness” of Jim Mankey – reuniting the team that made Concrete Blonde just so damn great. Mankey is a superb player and for all the great collaborators that Johnette has worked with over the years – and there have been a few – none are as “right” as James Mankey.

From the release of their self-titled album back in 1986, Concrete Blonde has always had a loyal audience in Australia with their popularity increasing with the release of each album and subsequent tours. In June 1990 the track ‘Joey’ from the album ‘Bloodletting’ found them at the top of the Australian singles chart; confirming them as one of the favourite touring acts of that year and ensuring future and frequent tours of Australia for the following fifteen years. Midway through 2006 the band announced that they had ‘retired’ from touring and recording.

While Johnette has been back here several times since – most recently doing a short but stunning solo tour earlier this year – this tour is indeed a cause for much celebration. Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey have been playing to sell-out crowds in North America on this tour named The Vampires Rise.

And in case you need reminding the amazing track listing of  Bloodletting was the title track, The Sky Is A Poisonous Garden, Caroline, Darkening Of The Light, I Don’t Need A Hero, Days and Days, The Beast, Lullabye, Joey and Tomorrow Wendy. The album featured guest appearances from Peter Buck, Steve Wynn, Andy Prieboy and Gail Ann Dorsey and of course the drummer on the album was Paul Thompson of Roxy Music fame. What an album it was and remains.

Oct 19, 2010 – The Hi Fi Brisbane, Brisbane – 18+

Oct 21, 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney – All Ages

Oct 22, 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne – 18+

Oct 23, 2010 – Astor Theatre, Perth – 18+