Blondie - Club Nokia - October 5, 2011

By Lainna Fader Thu., Oct. 6 2011 at 8:57 AM

Debi Del Grande

Blondie

See also: An Interview With Debbie Freaking Harry!

Blondie
Club Nokia
October 5, 2011

Better than ... expected. Far better than we could have imagined, actually.

When new wave erupted on the back end of punk, there was Blondie, with great hooks, crisp beats and a sultry peroxide beauty who became one of the most famous and innovative female stars of the era. Fronted by Deborah Harry, a former Playboy Bunny, and anchored by guitarist and then-boyfriend Chris Stein, Blondie became the most commercially successful of the survivors of the New York punk scene.

The band reformed in 1997 after a fifteen-year hiatus, and last night, the latest incarnation of the groups -- featuring original members Harry, Stein, drummer Clem Burke and new guitarist Tommy Kessler and keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen -- played Club Nokia with rock trio Nico Vega.

Debi Del Grande

Blondie

Last month, Blondie released Panic of Girls, the band's ninth studio album and the first in eight years, self-released in America via Amazon due to complications with record labels.

On Panic of Girls, Blondie's exploration of the more melodic side of punk continues, Harry's voice is as sharply sculpted as ever, and elements of pop, disco, and reggae are infused throughout.

Debi Del Grande

Deborah Harry

Last night, the new material blended well with the old. Harry came on stage wearing diamond-rimmed sunglasses, a cropped double-breasted coat, and a densely layered tulle skirt, which she later ripped off to reveal a skin-tight black tank dress. At 66, she's still quite beautiful; there's something about her that's completely timeless, and she looked like a porcelain doll.

After dedicating the show to Steve Jobs, who passed away yesterday, Blondie opened with "Union City Blue," "Dreaming," and "Atomic," three hits from their fourth album Eat to the Beat, released in 1979. By the time the band hit "Atomic," they'd warmed up a bit, and Harry stepped back into the shadows to allow her band mates some time in the spotlight. Newcomer Tommy Kessler -- who joined the group in April 2010, replacing guitarist Paul Carbonara -- proved to be a great showman as well as a skilled guitar player. He showed off his lightning-fast finger-picking skills and ended the song by playing his guitar backwards behind his head.

Location Info

Venue

Map

Club Nokia

800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Category: Music

1 user reviews	Write A Review
Save to foursquare

Tags:

Blondie, Lainna Fader, live review

We Recommend

how to get rid of acne scars

The name of the song is "What I Heard" not "Things I Heard" just a BTW

David Ponak

I wasn't there, and based on that set list, I'm happy I didn't go.

50% new songs? Can't believe they didn't play "X Offender," "Rip Her Shreds," "In The Flesh," "Denis" "Hanging On Telephone" or "Sunday Girl." Only TWO songs from "Parallel Lines?" Jeez!

Heart of Glass

Well I know everyone will jump on me for this, but I thought last night that she look old and haggard. Sure she looks great for her age, but honestly, she just looked silly in that get up, seemed out of breath for most of the show, and was off tune on almost every song. My friend and I mostly felt sad and embarrassed for her, especially as we watched more people stream out of the half empty club each time she played one of her newer songs. Time to hang it up and stop touring as far as I'm concerned, and I've been a fan of Blondie for at least 20 years.

Victor Atomic

I can honestly say after seeing Blondie more then 10 times since they reformed in 98 last nights show was amazing and Debbie some how sounded, looked and moved even better. Even at 66! To the original female front woman! and as Shirley Manson put it..." the most beautiful woman on any planet"