The Bloods rule, ok!The Bloods were a pivotal downtown girl group of the early 80's postpunk scene.
Drolly referred to as Adele & The Drells by John Lurie, The Bloods were a much beloved band of no-wave ne'er-do-wells. They brewed a unique concoction of ardent and urgent funk n roll that drew equally from the emerging hip-hop culture, parliament, and ornettified free jazz as it did from traditional funk, motown and Stones/Dolls/Patti/Doors/Stooges anthemic rocknroll.
As one of the earliest all-girl outfits they also had a secret weapon that set them apart: Adele Bertei's indelible vocals combined with the band's charismatic power to deliver onstage.
Also worth noting is that a decade before Riot Grrl and Queercore and the declarations of Elton, kd, and Melissa, and 20 years before Homo-hop and LOGO, the Bloods stood virtually alone as the only unabashedly out band of their day.
Notable exceptions being individual artists like Sylvester, Pete Shelley, Jayne County, Phranc and Tom Robinson.
In 2 short years between 80-82, The Bloods played a shit ton of shows in the US and Europe. They headlined venues as well as sharing the bill with enumerable acts, including being handpicked to open for The Clash at Bonds.
They also shared bills with REM, Gang of Four, Johnny Thunders, Allen Ginsberg, Nona Hendryx, DNA, Bush Tetras, ESG, The Go-Gos, The Fall, Y-Pants, the dBs, Delta 5, Adam Ant, Konk, Afrika Bambaata, Liquid Liquid, Sugarhill Gang, Pigbag, The Treacherous Three, ? & The Mysterians and many more.
With Red Crayola, they provided the soundtrack for Lizzie Borden's first feature, the anarcho-feminist Revolutionary Fable Born In Flames. Adele starred in the film which also featured fellow ex-Contortion, Bush Tetras' guitarist Pat Place.
The Bloods single Button Up, recorded in England in '81 on the Au Pairs Exit Records, became an indy dance classic, garnering rave reviews in the New York and British press and extensive club and air-play internationally although the band had split before its release.
Button-Up appears on the New York Noise Compilation released on CD and vinyl June 2003 on the British SoulJazz imprint.
Time Out recommends it and Rave reviews in Rolling Stone means that the world may finally be ready for The Bloods some 20 years post postpunk :D.
Righteous props to all the dj's, fans and hot new bands like The Rapture, The Gossip, The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and Erase Errata for keeping the fierce flame burning.
