Blondie; Pat Benatar; The Donnas @ Asher Levy Park

Blondie; Pat Benatar; The Donnas
@ Asher Levy Park
Brooklyn, NY - August 13, 2009

The iconic band Blondie - the punk/new wave band that made its mark by being so eclectic and diverse in its tastes - would possibly be treading on its long history of cred with a free show at the Seaside Summer Concerts, a venue known for more late baby boomer pop and classic soul acts than legendary rock bands (though they did have the B-52's not too long ago). Have no fear. Debbie Harry - ageless in her talent and her appeal - led the boys in a romp through the classics, notably their slap dash thunder cover of the Nerves' "Hanging on the Telephone". "Rapture" sported a Henry Rollins-esque diatribe at the end. Closer "Heart of Glass" featured an affectionate tack-on of "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough". Chris Stein's blues solo was rather unexpected as the blues seemed to be the only rock-related genre this band has never attempted.

Pat Benatar also played her hits. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "We Belong", and "Love is a Battlefield" are her obvious crowd-pleasers (the first of which has always been a great 80's pop-rock number) but it is "Innocent" that really displays Pat's ability to make a thoroughly sharp rock song.

The Donnas mercifully played for only ten minutes and were wise to play "Take It Off".