If you remember songs like Heart of Glass, Denis and Hanging On The Telephone, then tonight the Half Moon in Putney is the place for you.

Because Blondie tribute band Atomic will be faithfully recreating the sights and the sounds of one of the great groups of the punk/new wave era.

Blondie was the greatest pop band of that era. They were pop because you can't really say they were new wave or punk, or funk, or disco, or art for that matter. They did everything that interested them, including the first rock/reggae and rock/disco fusion.

To some they were new wave with their ironic words, cool haircuts and Debbie in day-glo Steven Sprouse fashions. To some they were punks mocking rock dinosaurs. Whatever they did, it all came out sounding great and Blondie remains one of the biggest hitmaking bands of our time.

Originally formed in 1974 by guitarist Chris Stein and ex-Max's Kansas City waitress and Playboy bunny Debbie Harry. Drummer Clem Burke and keyboard player Jimmy Destri joined in 1975.

Two years later they released their debut album Blondie, which was well received and led to the band touring with Iggy Pop and David Bowie.

It was their second album, Plastic Letters which shot them to fame. It contained the hit single Denis, which topped the US charts.

But the worldwide breakthrough came with their third album, Parallel Lines and the massive No. 1 hit, Heart of Glass. This was the first of a string of top 10 hits around the world, a list that included Hanging On The Telephone, Sunday Girl, Dreaming, Call Me and The Tide Is High.

Atomic have caused quite a stir at their recent Half Moon gigs. Their authentic looks and sound enable them to capture the energy and excitement of the Blondie era.

* Atomic play the Half Moon, Putney, tonight (Dec 14). For details see the listings.

December 14, 2001 13:00