Concrete Blonde

Concrete Blonde were an alternative rock band from Hollywood, California. They were best known for their 1990 album Bloodletting, their top 20 single “Joey”, and lead singer Johnette Napolitano’s distinctive husky vocal style.

The band formed under the name Dream 6 in 1982, with Napolitano providing vocals and bass and John Mankey on guitar. The band later added Harry Rushakoff on drums. When they signed with IRS Records in 1986, their label-mate Michael Stipe of R.E.M. suggested the name “Concrete Blonde” to describe the contrast between the band’s hard-rock sounds and introspective lyrics.

The band is well-known among fans for their constant splits and reunions: breaking up once in 1993, reuniting in 1997 only to split again shortly afterwards; reuniting once more in 2001, only to announce their official retirement in 2006; and reuniting once more from 2010 to 2012. It is entirely possible that by the time you finish reading this, they’ll be back together again.