Blonde Redhead

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of Kazu Makino (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar) and identical twin brothers Simone (drums, keyboards) and Amedeo Pace (lead guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals) that formed in New York City in 1993. 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.<ref name="Carr, Eric">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They have released ten studio albums and have toured internationally.

CareerEdit

Amedeo and Simone Pace were born in Milan, Italy,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and 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. Blonde Redhead formed in New York in 1993 after Amedeo and Simone met Kazu Makino, a film student at the time, through mutual friends.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> John Lurie stated in his memoir that he introduced the twins to Kazu, a long time friend. The band named themselves after a song on the 1981 EP A Taste of DNA by the no wave group DNA. For the group's first decade, Amedeo and Makino were romantically involved.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>

Blonde Redhead's self-titled debut album was released in 1995.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Shortly afterwards, fourth member Maki Takahashi left the band and was replaced by her friend Toko Yasuda as bassist. Yasuda played on the band's second album La Mia Vita Violenta also released in 1995.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both records appeared on the New York label Smells Like.<ref name=":1" /> The band continued as a trio.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Their third album, Fake Can Be Just as Good, was released through Touch & Go in 1997.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band enlisted the help of Vern Rumsey of Unwound, who filled the role of guest bassist, while the subsequent albums have featured the Icelandic musician Skúli Sverrisson.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On their fourth album, In an Expression of the Inexpressible, Guy Picciotto of Fugazi was hired as producer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Picciotto also contributed in the construction to the song "Futurism vs. Passéism Part 2" as well as lending it his vocals to the 1998 release. In 2000 Picciotto also co-produced Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons with Ryan Hadlock, an album about the relationship between Makino and Amedeo Pace.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The four-year 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Much of the visual and lyrical imagery of Misery Is a Butterfly is reflective of the accident, especially in the music video for "Equus." It was the last time Picciotto produced the band.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2006 Makino recorded vocals for the film Sisters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Alan Moulder mixed the trio's album 23 which was released on 4AD, in April 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In mid-2008, they wrote and recorded the score of the documentary feature film The Dungeon Masters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on February 12, 2010; a soundtrack album was released in July 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2009, Blonde Redhead collaborated with Devestations on "When the Road Runs Out" for the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2010 the band included a demo version of the song "Not Getting There" on a 4AD sampler entitled Fragments From Work In Progress.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their eighth album, Penny Sparkle, was released in September 2010 through 4AD.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album was again mixed by Alan Moulder,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and reached 79 in the Billboard 200 chart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the subsequent tour the band added a key-board player.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band released a six-track remix EP in July 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

A year later, the band started the project for their next album but without the support of 4AD. Self-financed, the band embarked on a haphazard recording schedule with producer Drew Brown.<ref name=":0" /> Simone Pace noted about Brown's involvement that "he has so much experience and definitely dictated the direction of the record; the choices of instruments, concept and that it was minimal." He forced the band to use analogue instruments.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In April 2014 their song "For the Damaged Coda" was used in an episode of the first season of the cartoon Rick and Morty. The use of this song was again repeated in April 2017 in the third season. The use of the song became an important plot device regarding the character "Evil Morty" for the series. Around 2018 this song became an Internet meme expressing the sadness one feels at the worst moments of one's life.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The band released their ninth album, Barragán, on September 2, 2014, through Kobalt.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was preceded by the single "No More Honey" that appeared in June.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was followed by the second single, "Dripping,"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which included a video.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band also provided the soundtrack to the Danish film The Commentator.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2016 it was announced that the band would release the box set Masculin Féminin on September 30 through The Numero Group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It contains 37 tracks, which cover the first two albums, associated singles, radio sessions and unreleased demos from the period.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2017, the band released the EP 3 O'Clock, which comprises four songs and featured contributions from Eyvind Kang, Michael Leonhart, Sam Owens and Mauro Refosco, among others.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In September 2019, Kazu Makino released her first solo album, Adult Baby, which featured Ryuichi Sakamoto (on piano, field recordings, and "organic instruments"), Ian Chang and Greg Saunier (drums), and Mauro Refosco (percussion).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The band toured the US in 2022 on select dates supporting Tool.<ref>Maynard James Keenan: Why I Picked Blonde Redhead to Open for Tool, Revolver, 6 January 2022.</ref> The following year, the band announced the release of their tenth album, Sit Down for Dinner, on September 29, 2023, through section1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In November, they released a reworked version of "Damaged Coda" entitled "More Coda" for Rick and Morty.<ref name="coda">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On June 14, 2024, Blonde Redhead performed at the Forum Melbourne in Melbourne, appearing as part of the 2024 RISING: festival, supported by Melbourne-based singer, Georgia Knight.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

MembersEdit

Current members

Kazu Makino – rhythm guitar, keyboards, lead vocals (1993–present)
Amedeo Pace – lead guitar, bass, keyboards, lead vocals (1993–present)
Simone Pace – drums, keyboards (1993–present)

Former members

Maki Takahashi – bass (1993–1995)
Toko Yasuda – bass (1995–1996)

Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:24 PlotArea = left:85 bottom:80 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:1993 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1993 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1993

Colors =

id:lvocals value:red         legend:Lead_vocals
id:lguitar value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass    value:blue        legend:Bass
id:keys    value:purple      legend:Keyboards
id:drums   value:orange      legend:Drums
id:studio  value:black       legend:Studio_album
id:EP      value:gray(0.6)   legend:EP
id:bars    value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

layer:back color:studio
at:01/19/1995
at:09/04/1995
at:03/11/1997
at:09/08/1998
at:06/06/2000
at:03/15/2004
at:04/10/2007
at:09/13/2010
at:09/02/2014
at:09/29/2023

color:EP
at:10/03/2000
at:02/03/2005
at:12/11/2017

BarData =

bar:Amedeo text:Amedeo Pace
bar:Kazu   text:Kazu Makino
bar:Maki   text:Maki Takahashi
bar:Toko   text:Toko Yasuda
bar:Simone text:Simone Pace

PlotData =

width:13
color:lguitar
bar:Amedeo from:start      till:end

color:rguitar
bar:Kazu   from:start      till:end

color:bass
bar:Maki   from:start      till:04/01/1995
bar:Toko   from:04/01/1995 till:06/08/1996

color:drums
bar:Simone from:start      till:end

width:3
bar:Amedeo from:start      till:end        color:lvocals
bar:Kazu   from:start      till:end        color:lvocals
bar:Simone from:01/01/1998 till:end        color:keys

width:7
bar:Amedeo from:10/31/1995 till:end        color:bass
bar:Kazu   from:01/01/2004 till:end        color:keys

width:9
bar:Amedeo from:01/01/2014 till:end        color:keys

</timeline>

GalleryEdit

DiscographyEdit

AlbumsEdit

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
Title	Album details	US <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	BEL (FL) <ref name="BELFL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	BEL (WA) <ref name="BELWA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	FRA <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	GRE <ref name="GRE">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	ITA <ref name="ITA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	JPN <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	SWI <ref name="SWI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK <ref name="UK">Peaks in the UK: All except noted: {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }} 23: {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK Indie <ref name="UK" />
Blonde Redhead	Released: July 19, 1994 Label: Smells Like	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
La Mia Vita Violenta	Released: September 1995 Label: Smells Like	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Fake Can Be Just as Good	Released: March 11, 1997 Label: Touch and Go	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
In an Expression of the Inexpressible	Released: September 8, 1998 Label: Touch and Go	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons	Released: June 6, 2000 Label: Touch and Go	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Misery Is a Butterfly	Released: March 15, 2004 Label: 4AD	180	—	—	77	—	50	—	—	—	41
23	Released: April 10, 2007 Label: 4AD	63	52	—	77	—	38	196	100	152	13
Penny Sparkle	Released: September 13, 2010 Label: 4AD	79	57	65	89	18	—	—	—	—	41
Barragán	Released: September 2, 2014 Label: Kobalt	180	68	86	104	—	—	—	—	—	—Template:Efn
Sit Down for Dinner	Released: September 29, 2023 Label: Section1	—Template:Efn	91	—	127	—	—	—	—	—	50
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

EPsEdit


Year	Title	Label
2000	Mélodie Citronique	Touch and Go
2005	The Secret Society of Butterflies	4AD/Beggars Banquet
2017	3 O'Clock	Kobalt/Ponderosa/Asa Wa Kuru

SinglesEdit

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
Title	Year	UK <ref name="UK"/>	UK Indie <ref name="UK" />	Album
"Amescream / Big Song"	1993	—	—	rowspan="2" Template:N/a
"Vague / Jet Star"	1994	—	—
"10 Feet High / Valentine"	1995	—	—	La Mia Vita Violenta
"Flying Douglas / Harmony"	1995	—	—	La Mia Vita Violenta
"Symphony of Treble / Kasuality"	1997	—	—	Fake Can Be Just as Good
"Limited Conversation / Slogan"	1998	—	—	In an Expression of the Inexpressible (Japanese edition)
"Elephant Woman"	2004	82	26	Misery Is a Butterfly
"Equus"	2004	84	19	Misery Is a Butterfly
"23"	2007	—	—	23
"Silently"	2007	—	—	23
"Here Sometimes"	2010	—	—	Penny Sparkle
"No More Honey"	2014	—	—	Barragán
"Dripping"	2014	—	—	Barragán
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other charted songsEdit

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
Title	Year	US Rock <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	Album	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"For the Damaged Coda"	2000	15	Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons

SoundtracksEdit


Year	Film
2008	The Dungeon Masters
2012	The Commentator

Compilations and remix albumsEdit


Year	Title	Label
2016	Freedom of Expression on Barragán	Asa Wa Kuru
2016	Masculin Féminin	Numero

NotesEdit

Template:Notelist-ua

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Blonde Redhead official website
Blonde Redhead on 4AD Records
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Interview with Submerge Magazine "The Changelings" November, 2010

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