Reviews
Artists: Blondie + Little Fish
Venue: O2 Academy
Town: Bournemouth
Date: 19th April
Website:
http://www.blondie.net/
As a nipper I was fortunate enough to see Blondie's first ever UK soundcheck. That was thirty four years ago at the Village Bowl in Bournemouth and I never got to see the gig because I was too young. Still it's always good to see the band back in the town where theybroke their UK virginity.
It's always great to see them back and with a new album on the way. The O2 Academy has gone through many changes since it started life as a music hall, back in Bournemouth's early days, but it's combination of balconies and flat floor make for a great atmosphere.
Getting the party started were unconventional duo, Little Fish. Consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist, Juju and drummer, Nez, they pack a real punch, more so as they are aided and abetted on tour by a keyboards man, Ben.
The band have an album, "Baffled And Beat" due out in September, closer still is the debut single, "Am I Crazy", both produced by Linda Perry who has helped infuse a real attitude into the band.
More pressing still is entertaining the audience tonight, an audience it has to be said range from seventy to seven(Someone out there has got way cooler parents, but it's not a school night.) and that always skews the pitch, so you've just got to be yourself and kick on.
I found myself being reminded of Buffy Saint-Marie, an artist full of confidence and one that could externalise that energy, the audience may not know who juju is, but they are damned well going to pay attention.
There were a couple of times where I think she tried just a touch too hard, it's a very thin line between rock bunny boiler and pantomime and on a couple of occasions she drifted across it, but quickly found her way back.
For a band that essentially had two of it's number sat down for the set, there was a lot of movement. Juju is the obvious focal point. Her hair is used almost as a prop, lashing out as often as the rock poses would allow.
Appropriately enough it was the single "Am I Crazy" that formed the highpoint of the gig, with full reign given to the spirit of the song.
Little Fish would appear to be a band with a dark demented future in front of them. They know how to make it rock.
Blondie on the other hand know how to make it rock, rap, reggae and roll with side orders of punk and new wave as well as classic pop songs to round out the whole experience.
Debbie Harry has re-written the rules on dieing young and staying pretty. She readily holds her hand up to having plastic surgery, but as one punter subtly put it, you still would.
Bands do not survive over thirty five years on looks alone, more important is that Deborah's one in a million voice has survived pretty much in tact, no doubt helped by the fact that half the time she's pointing the microphone at the audience and we're doing the job for her and loving every minute of it.
This is far more than being a greatest hits tour, this is about preparation for the new album, "Panic Of Girls". New material is dropped into the set and stands up well. The classic elements are there, esoteric lyrics, top guitar work and the drums of Clem Burke.
Blondie have always worked best as a six piece, two guitars, drum, bass keyboards and the voice, tonight is no exception. If fact there's plenty of chance to hear the band and realise the contribution they make.
They are also a band not afraid of bringing in a new aspect if they feel the sound needs it. They were the first band ever to have a US rap number 1, rock, reggae and pop also got them there.
The joining of the whole is seamless, new material blends in with old. There's a few new vocal refrains, Debbie sings a line the audience sings it back to her, but as soon as the band want control again, the vocal dynamics come out and she's in charge, not that she ever wasn't.
It's all here and all reflected. It's mirrored in the crowd, the exuberance of youth, fresh, expectant, the old friends that one has grown up with, I guess there was nearly sixty years across the audience, at least three generations. All of whom walked away having had a fantastic night out with one of the greatest bands ever.
Neil King