Counter Culture

Reine Beau is the lead singer and narrator of The Blondie Story. Counter Culture reviewed the show a few years back and we thought we’d catch up with her and ask her a few questions over a cup of mint tea...

So how did you first become interested in Blondie? And what drew you to their music?

Answer: I’ve liked Blondie since I was a kid. I remember listening to them because my dad, a big music fan, would play Blondie in the house. But it wasn’t until my production manager suggested doing a Blondie show that it really clicked. Initially, he wanted me to do Dusty Springfield, but I thought, Debbie Harry is one of the coolest women in music. I’d love to portray her. We both read Debbie’s autobiography, and after that, I dove into their back catalogue and fell in love with Blondie all over again.

I’m obviously a lot older than you, and I can remember Blondie from the past. I actually had a badge of Blondie as a group. Nice. Because the band produced them. People were thinking it was just Debbie Harry, Blondie, you know? So. It’s quite funny. She’s been around a while, and I suppose she’s come back to the fore again with Glastonbury and stuff.

Answer: She’s always been a fashion icon and is pretty iconic, especially with the art that came out of Andy Warhol’s era. And Glastonbury a couple of years ago brought her back into the spotlight.

Having seen the show, I know that there are two aspects that make it more than a tribute act. One is that you’re telling the story, and the other is that you’re not trying to imitate Debbie Harry or Blondie. You’re bringing your own interpretations.

Answer: Last year, some people had expectations about me wearing a blonde wig and looking exactly like Blondie. But for me, that’s not honouring the music. I’m not trying to impersonate Debbie Harry because it can’t be done—Debbie Harry is Debbie Harry. I’m a musician in my own right and want to do her justice without trying to be her. Telling the story from my perspective and adding my own flourishes is key. Someone even said to me recently, “You’ve nailed the song and the Debbie Harry dance grooves,” and I thought it was super weird because I haven’t even watched her perform that much. Maybe it’s just the music.

It could be just the music, the rhythm of the music. I don’t really understand people criticizing for not imitating because I think it was Bob Dylan who said, when asked when he was going to write his own songs instead of performing folk songs, that he’d like to think he’d make them his own.

Answer: I thought that was a very thoughtful reply. There’s a whole tradition in music of performing songs—traditional songs and others. Blues, for example, has been done by countless artists, like the Rolling Stones or Elvis. It’s a strange criticism, but there you go.

In terms of the story, what do you think the most inspiring parts of the story are?

Answer: I’ve got this idea of being a musician, and I’ve always had it since I was a kid. You’ll just be playing in a bar one night with your band and you get signed. I’m not saying that’s what happened with Blondie, but they were in this scene at the right time with people like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. Just the idea of being a musician in that time at CBGB’s, in New York. I guess there’s a bit of jealousy. What a time to be inventing and be the biggest band in new wave.

The band is a big part of your show, and they are very accomplished musicians. How did you come to get together?

Answer: I’ve known our bassist since 2018. He’s been doing night out for that amount of time. Everyone has been recommended by someone else. Gavin, the drummer, is amazing and lives in Glasgow. He then recommended Ross, who has taken to the keys part and loves it. He’s so good to have on stage. Dan is our production manager, so he’s the businessman.

In terms of your own approach, your own music, what would you say the biggest musical influences were?

Answer: Probably when I was younger, Nina Simone and Etta James, they were my two powerhouses. As I got a bit older, The Runaways became an influence. It’s a bit of a mishmash. It’s like women that I think are really cool. I also like writing poetry and lyrics, and my mind always goes to the lyrics in a song. That’s where my brain goes first. Anything with heartfelt lyrics is great.

In terms of audience reaction, how would you describe the kind of audiences you’re getting and the kind of reactions you’re receiving?

Answer: Big Blondie fans, you can tell. Sometimes as soon as you walk in, you can see there are people who are going to know every single lyric. It’s a tricky one. I love theatre, and because of the storytelling format, the audience is seated. But I had a gig on Saturday, and everyone was so up for it. I think from the second song, people were up dancing. It was great. It’s difficult because it’s like, is it a gig? Is it a show? I just want people to have fun.

People certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. When I was there, I took my daughter, and she was up dancing away. She enjoyed it. I guess younger people are more familiar with groups like Blondie because of YouTube.

Answer: They follow the songs in different ways; one song suggests another song. It’s amazing now how much musical knowledge younger people have with things like YouTube and Spotify. You put a song on, and then just because of the shuffle or what’s in that genre, you end up listening to something you hadn’t heard before.

I think the musical knowledge now is much wider. Blondie is one of those bands that I’ve had quite a few friends say, “Oh, I’m gonna come see the Amy Winehouse one.” Then we go, no, Blondie. And then I’m like, well, no, you know, “One way or another,” and they’re sitting there like, “Oh, hanging on the telephone.” “Heart of Glass.” It’s like, maybe you just don’t know it’s Blondie.

What would you say your favourite Blondie song is, or which have you most enjoyed performing so far?

Answer: I love doing “Moonlight Drive,” which we’ve added this year. “Picture This” we did last year. I love that tune. I’ve got to say “Rapture” as well. I love “Rapture.” I love the video for “Rapture” as well. It’s so ahead of its time with the dance. The first time really that the mainstream did rap. She’s the first woman to do it. Pretty cool. There’s also “I Love You Honey, Give Me a Beer,” which I really tried to get in the set, but it’s just not known enough. It’s got that Adam Ant drumbeat behind it. It’s such a great tune.

Looking ahead, what future plans do you have for The Blondie Story, and are there any new elements or songs you want to introduce?

Answer: I’d love to do theatre shows with Blondie, because it’s like an hour and a half with a break in between. There are so many songs we could be doing, and we could definitely go further into them touring with Iggy Pop and David Bowie, and set the scene a little bit more. I feel like 50 minutes is quite hard to get everything in. It’d be nice to expand on it, for sure.

Cool. Oh, thanks very much for the interview. I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the festival.

Answer: Thank you.

You can buy tickets to The Blondie Story here