Back Again A Dove

I now pronounce this Sonic Youth Month. It will be good. To celebrate the release of their new album, The Eternal, the band visited their old friend, Jools Holland. Here they are, the greatest band of all time, performing "What We Know."

And here they are again, seventeen years earlier, making their "Later" debut with the freestyle classic, "Sugar Kane," from the titanic, Butch Vig-produced, double LP Dirty. I think Steve Shelley is wearing the same shirt. (Because he is keeping it real, yo.)

Watch for Robert Baird's interview with the band, along with a review of The Eternal, in our July issue!

COMMENTS
Trey's picture

I have never seen live clips of them before, it is interesting to see how, well how choreagraphed the noise is! I thought that they would be looser based on their garage sound, but they actually have a studious quality about them. Kind of like John Cage with a fuzz box. Cool stuff!

Stephen Mejias's picture

Interesting analysis, Trey. They are highly influenced/inspired by 20th century avantgarde composers, such as Cage, George Maciunas, Steve Reich, and many others. And I'd agree that their work and live performances are highly practiced. (They've described their song structures as "verse, chaos, verse.") I mean, how do you freak out like that without sounding like complete nothing unless it's practiced? Paradoxical! Sonic Youthical.

Doug Bowker's picture

That new song is a thing of distorted beauty man! Too bad no one really local is part of that Buy Now program from what I can tell. Grrrrr Oh well- I'll just pre-order it anyway.

Trey's picture

verse, chaos, verse, that is priceless. And wonderfully accurate.

BillB's picture

Stephen, thank you, a well-curated show! Really, those two performances across the 17 time span are remarkable. Nice choices, long live Sonic Youth!

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