Blondie release new song; 2017 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash announced

Blondie have released yet another song from their new album Pollinator, which comes out on May 5. “Fragments” is actually a cover of a song by Unkindness (aka Adam Johnston), but Blondie really make the song sound like their own. Check it out below. (Listen to the original here.)

Pollinator‘s Blood Orange-penned single “Long Time” was released as 7″ on Record Store Day with the exclusive non-album b-side “The Breaks.” Later this year, Blondie will go on a co-headlining tour with Garbage, including a Beacon Theatre show on August 1 (tickets).

Speaking of classic CBGB bands, the annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash has been announced and it happens on May 19 at The Studio at Webster Hall. It’ll feature former Ramones CJ and Richie, plus Ramones producer Ed Stasium, The Cuts, The Stitches, Punk Pipers, Paul Zone, James Boland, and more. They’ll be doing songs from Leave Home and Rocket to Russia this year.

The late David Peel was supposed to perform, but in place of his set, there will be a tribute to him. According to the Joey Ramone Facebook page, it will be “a fitting tribute to honor him… in pure Peel punk fashion. A historical event any true rock ‘n roll fan won’t want to miss.” Tickets are on sale.

CJ Ramone is also on tour with Big Eyes, with an upcoming Brooklyn show at Goldsounds the night after the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash (tickets).

In other CBGB news, Richard Hell & the Voidoids guitarist Ivan Julian is doing well after sadly being diagnosed with cancer last year, and we just posted pictures and a review of his Union Pool show with Tommy Keene.

As mentioned at the end of that review, another veteran punk/CBGB show goes down at Le Poisson Rouge on May 2. The ‘May Day 2: Punk Rock All Stars’ features Phil Marcade (of The Senders) with The Rouses & Friends + Lenny Kaye, The Waldows feat. Walter Lure, Daddy Long Legs, Legs McNeil, and “very special guests” (tickets).