Blonde Redhead performing during the Fear Inoculum 2nd Leg at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 2, 2022, with Kazu Makino, Amedeo Pace, and Simone Pace. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Although the New York-based trio Blonde Redhead made a connection with the art world in late 1998 when they performed at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to celebrate an exhibit by Japanese artist Mariko Mori, the members of the group refused to define their music as "art rock."
"We always totally avoid seeming pretentious or arty," vocalist/guitarist Kazu Makino revealed to Magnet magazine's Matthew Fritch. "I think arty bands are never arty, to me, the most artistic band is a punk-rock band. There's a big difference between an art band and a band that has a concept of its music. That's what's really artistic; it's not about dropping weird stuff in and making weird noises and having awkward pauses in the music. I never wanted to be categorized as that." Though Blonde Redhead's sound often includes odd harmonies, pulsating funk rhythms, and punk music, the band has become admired most for their ability to create direct-hitting, rather than avant-garde, rock.
Taking their name from a song by one of their favorite bands, DNA, a 1980s New York avant-garde post-punk band, Blonde Redhead formed around 1993 after a chance meeting at a New York City restaurant. Two of the group's members, Makino (who previously collaborated with Marc Ribot) and bassist Maki Takahashi (who left the group in 1994) were Japanese-born art students, while twin bothers Simone (drums, keyboards) and Amedeo Pace (guitar, vocals) were born in Milan, Italy.
The Pace brothers emigrated to Canada at age 13, then came to the United States to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. From the onset, the band members, especially Makino, Amadeo, and Simone, realized an instant connection to each other that strengthened into a deep friendship. "I think we have a desire to be together as much as possible. In some ways we want to be separate, but in some ways, we have this burning desire to be the same thing, one person," Makino told Fritch. "We've made ourselves be so close," Amadeo further revealed. "And a relationship like this, to be in a band, even though you want to be an individual, it's almost impossible. You kind of have to give up certain things."
I have seen Blonde Redhead five times now and they seem to get better every year. Such a truly gifted group of musicians with years of good material to choose from, I simply Love this band! In summary, a perfect concert.Blonde Redhead shared the stage with Tool at the AT&T Center. They continue across the United States with the last stop at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida on Feburary 10, 2022.
Amazing performance, too good to put in a paragraph, so full of energy. Played some of my most favorite songs, great stage presence, we couldn't get enough! I never had bruised hands from so much clapping.
Blonde Redhead was amazing as always. They never disappoint. Best performance I have ever seen them put on.
Blonde redhead is better live! Just amazing. I love the vibe of this band. It's so rare that a band is better live than their recorded work!
Blonde Redhead
web | facebook | twitter | instagram
Photos by Ralph Arvesen
web | facebook | twitter | instagram
