Blonde Redhead

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Blonde Redhead
Left to right: Kazu Makino, Simone N. Pace, Amedeo F. Pace
Left to right: Kazu Makino, Simone N. Pace, Amedeo F. Pace
Background information
Origin New York City, New York, United States
Genre(s) Rock, indie rock, shoegazing, dream pop
Years active 1993–present
Label(s) 4AD
Website www.blonde-redhead.com
Members
Kazu Makino
Amedeo Pace
Simone Pace
Former members
Vern Rumsey
Maki Takahashi
Toko Yasuda

Blonde Redhead is an American rock trio comprised of Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace. The band takes its name from the song with the same title by DNA, a no wave band from New York. The band performs in multiple languages including English, Japanese, Italian, and French.

Contents

[edit] History

Amedeo and Simone Pace were born in Milan, 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. The Pace brothers and Japanese art students Kazu Makino and Maki Takahashi formed the band in 1993 after a chance meeting at an Italian restaurant in New York.

Blonde Redhead caught the attention of Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, who went on to produce their self-titled debut album in 1993. Shortly afterward, Takahashi left the band and was replaced by her friend Toko Yasuda as bassist. Despite this, Yasuda does not appear on any studio recordings. Yasuda soon left the group as well, explaining that "it wasn’t comfortable for me to write songs so I was kind of frustrated".[1] The remaining members of Blonde Redhead 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. They continued without a bass player for the release of the remainder of their albums. 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. Passeism Part 2" as well as lending it his vocals. Picciotto also produced the band's records Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and Misery Is a Butterfly. Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, U2, Smashing Pumpkins) mixed their most recent record, 23, which was released on 4AD in April 2007.

Blonde Redhead has slowly built a sizable fan base in the underground and independent music scene. Their early music has been described as emulative of Sonic Youth, while their more recent releases have somewhat digressed and branched out in a unique direction. Makino is noted for her high, eerie voice, which hovers over melodic guitar riffs and clockwork drum beats.

The large span of time 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.

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. Their song "Elephant Woman" was also used as the ending theme for the David Slade film Hard Candy. This song was also used on the Billabong Girls website in February 2008.

The title track "23" was also recently used in a trailer for the British TV series "Skins" in February 2008, and ad for Crystal Geyser in May 2008 in Japan.

According to an article on Pitchforkmedia.com they will be appearing on the tribute record to The Cure on Manimal Vinyl Records, covering the song "The Drowning Man".

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] EPs & Singles

  • 1993: Amescream / Big song – 7" Single, Oxo Records (SLR007)
  • 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)
  • 2004: Equus – 7" Single, 4AD/Beggars Banquet (AD2415)
  • 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)

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chun, Kimberly (2002-08-09). Enon blends Indie Rock With Electro-pop. AsianWeek.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
  2. ^ Blonde Redhead
v • d • e
Blonde Redhead
Kazu Makino · Amedeo Pace · Simone Pace
Vern Rumsey · Maki Takahashi · Toko Yasuda
Studio albums
EPs
Singles
"Amescream / Big song" · "Vague / Jet Star" · "Feet High / Valentine" · "Flying Douglas / Harmony" · "Symphony of Treble / Kasuality" · "Limited conversation / Slogan" · "Elephant Woman" · "Equus" · "23" · "Silently"