“They probably only made two or three of them, but there’s a signature Burns Chris Stein Scorpion out there somewhere”: Ahead of a new Blondie album, Chris Stein talks folk and jazz influences, fighting with early effects, and his MIDI future

Chris Stein performs onstage with Blondie.

Formed in 1974 by guitarist Chris Stein and lead singer Debbie Harry, Blondie were pioneers in straddling the divide between new wave and punk and turning it into a palatable mix that took the band to worldwide success.

With the band still touring regularly, and putting out new material, they’re finding new and younger audiences as each year passes. As the band’s sonic architect, Stein’s six string stylings have been an integral element to the group’s musical evolution and signature sound.