May 5 is the release date for the first new Blondie album in three years, Pollinator, and you can hear several tracks below. The album was the last to be recorded at the New York recording studio The Magic Shop. The studio, where David Bowie also recorded his final two albums, was forced to close recently due to escalating rents.
Blondie announced on February 8 what they’re calling the “Rage and Rapture Tour,” a 20-show double bill with Garbage co-headlining. John Doe and Exene of X will open the first half of the tour and Deep Vally the second. Blondie will also open for Phil Collins at his June 25 date in Ireland and June 30 concert at London’s Hyde Park.
Related: Read BCB‘s interview with Shirley Manson of Garbage
For the album, the band’s 11th—and first since 2014’s Ghosts of Download—Blondie brought in some outside help, including guitarists Johnny Marr (of the Smiths) and Nick Valensi (of the Strokes). Songwriting contributors, other than the band’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, include Sia, Dev Hynes and Charli XCX. Joan Jett and Laurie Anderson are also listed as contributors. “Fun” features TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek.
Watch the video for “Fun,” the first single from the new Blondie album, Pollinator…
Pollinator was produced by John Congleton (Depeche Mode, St. Vincent). The album is be released via BMG; order it here.
Blondie celebrated their 40th anniversary last year. The band was part of the original wave to emerge from the CBGB punk scene in New York in the mid-’70s. They broke out commercially in 1979 with the #1 hit “Heart of Glass” and followed that with three more #1 singles, “Call Me,” “The Tide is High” and “Rapture.”
Listen to “Fragments”…
Related: 10 songs that defined new wave music
Track Listing
Doom or Destiny
Long Time
Already Naked
Fun
My Monster
Best Day Ever
Gravity
When I Gave Up On You
Love Level
Too Much
Fragments
Listen to “My Monster”…
Blondie & Garbage Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here.)
July 5 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
July 7 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
July 8 – Las Vegas NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater
July 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl (New)
July 12 – Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield
July 13 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
July 14 – Nampa, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheatre
July 16 – Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 18 – Kansas City, MO @ Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
July 19 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel & Casino
July 21 – Prior Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Casino-Mystic Showroom
July 22 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
July 25 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark
July 26 – Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre For Performing Arts
July 28 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
July 29 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 30 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
August 1 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
August 2 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts
August 3 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap (New)
August 5 – Raleigh, NC @ The Red Hat Amphitheater
August 6 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheater (New)
August 8 – Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena
August 9 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
August 11 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live
August 12 – Dallas, TX @ Southside Ballroom
August 14 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Sports Palace
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