Concrete Blonde’s message Sunday night at Luther’s Blues was simply that it’s great to be alive. Stomping through cuts both old and new, the reformed and rejuvenated members of the post-punk icons marked their territory with a sold-out Madison gig halfway through the band’s first headlining tour in eight years.
The tour, in support of the group’s latest album, Group Therapy, finds the trio paying homage to its roots while still showcasing the musical growth of the band since 1994.
The Los Angeles trio recorded the stirring reunion disc in ten short days amidst intense emotional therapy, something that gives the album a raw, honest feeling. The album’s title is a direct reference to the once-tumultuous relationship between group members and the emotional crisis lead singer Johnette Napolitano experienced last spring.
Eight years after Concrete Blonde called it quits, Napolitano was “cracking up,” as she put it in an interview after the show. Overwhelmed by nightmares and an impending sense of doom, Napolitano confided in friend and Concrete Blonde guitarist Jim Mankey about her emotional crisis. Mankey directed her to a good psychiatrist who mended the cracks and helped Napolitano reach a new, more optimistic outlook on life.
The newfound optimism left the group reforming and crafting perhaps its best album to date–a sensitive, melodic whirlwind set against strong lyrics and packaged in Concrete Blonde’s unique sonic architecture.
It was these components that propelled the band through its 17-song set at Luther’s Blues Sunday night. Verbally engaging the crowd, Napolitano laughed, smiled and simply enjoyed the music. Her final message to the crowd before leaving the stage was, “It’s all about you.”
It became clear throughout the evening that the members of Concrete Blonde–and especially Napolitano–was living for the moment and nothing else, appreciating what they have achieved and the fans that have helped them achieve it.
Tracks from Group Therapy were well represented in the set list. From the somber and deeply emotional lull of “When I Was A Fool” to the melodic cut “Roxy”, the crowd responded enthusiastically to the polished set and Napolitano’s soft, soulful lyrics.
The track that put the band on the map, “Joey,” was played, but it wasn’t the focus of the evening. Although happy to hear the track, the sold-out crowd was just as excited about the new material. “Violent” reverberated well against the walls of Luther’s, as the rolling bass and melodic synth-hints added textures that are all Concrete Blonde and the crowd roared in approval.
Closing the set with a rocking version of “Still In Hollywood,” the crowd seemed ready for more, but that was all for this evening.
When asked what the future holds for Concrete Blonde, Napolitano seemed unsure.
“I don’t like to make plans. I’m a Virgo–we don’t plan ahead and that just makes things more exciting,” she said.
Quoting John Lennon, Napolitano laughed and said, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans, so I’m just happy with the moment.”
As her band mates chatted with fans and signed autographs, Napolitano looked around the dressing room at the photos of famous blues musicians. When asked what she wanted her fans to take away from Group Therapy and the entire catalogue of the band’s music, she responded, “To feel, period.”
Judging from the reaction of the crowd Sunday, listeners are still feeling the music of Concrete Blonde pretty well.
