New wave grandma Deborah Harry and her iconic band Blondie have announced that they’ll be releasing their first album in eight years this coming September. Entitled Panic of the Girls, the album features an unlikely appearance from none other than Beirut’s Zach Condon!
Condon joins the band for a collaboration with the band returning the favour with a cover of Beirut’s ‘Sunday Smile. Most of the album was recorded in Woodstock in upstate New York, with production duties handled Jeff Saltzman who has worked with The Killers, and Kato Khandwala who has manned the desk for Paramore and Papa Roach.
Blondie formed in New York City in the mid 1970s by guitarist Chris Stein, who was joined by former waitress and Playboy Club bunny Harry. The band actually had their first hit in Australia, when on Countdown Molly Meldrum played the B-Side ‘In The Flesh’ of their single ‘X-Offender’ and it became a surprise hit.
The band have always had a particular fondness for Molly and Australia as a result.The line up these days features original members Harry, guitarist Stein and drummer Clem Burke, who are joined by bassist Leigh Fox (who joined back in ’97 when they reunited and new recruits Tommy Kessler on guitars and Katz-Bohen on keys.
The follow up to 2003’s The Curse of Blondie is preceded by the single ‘Mother’ and the clip features a sprightly Harry gallivanting around in thigh high latex boots and gloves, as well as sporting a hairstyle that makes her bear more than a passing resemblance to Dolly Parton.
