I must admit I haven't listened to much Sonic Youth in years and years, but it's pretty much all I listened to in my early grad school years (say from 1999-2003). So the news that Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore have split up has led me to worry excessively about the future of Sonic Youth. I cannot face the future without Sonic Youth! (OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration.)
Thoughts? Comments? Greatest Sonic Youth moments? Favorite Sonic Youth song? Let's memorialize (hopefully prematurely).
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 920 Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:
I was pretty bummed to hear about this. I caught them at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle back in 2002, and it's still one of the best sets of music I've ever heard. That whole weekend festival is one of my more cherished musical memories, and Sonic Youth was the crowning moment of it. I really hope this isn't truly it for them and that maybe they just need some time apart.
Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 906 Location: South Dakota
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 5:31 pm Post subject:
Personally, I'm hoping both are professional enough to manage to still work together as a band, however, I can understand if this has an adverse effect on the band as well. Sonic Youth have had a wonderful career that is very much done in their terms. _________________ got everything that you want, but do you get what you need in life..its the only thing that matters you see
Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 2912 Location: Howell, NJ
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:39 pm Post subject:
Bummer.
One of my favorite bands of all-time. Odd timing since I just got their concert video, '1991: The Year That Punk Broke', yesterday and watched it last night.
I can't put into words what Daydream Nation meant to me. Certain bands and albums can change you. _________________ "When God gave us mirrors....he had no idea...."
My Morning Jacket - Librarian.
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 567 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:07 am Post subject:
R.E.M. breaks up and now Sonic Youth might? Oh no! Whatever will the little hipsters do!
Just to clarify, this sarcastic comment was not aimed at the users on this forum. A few people I work with who are 19, 20 years old were talking about it as if the world would just not go on. After further conversation, I discovered these people know next to nothing about either of these bands yet claim to be the authority of them. They also were talking as if Sonic Youth and R.E.M. are these obscure bands. Yes they probably were too young to have grown up with them but R.E.M. and Sonic Youth are HARDLY obscure. As far as my personal feeling, I wasn't a HUGE Sonic Youth fan, but I did like them and I of course respected the hell out of them. But I can't say I'm going to lose sleep over their breakup. I mean, they've been around for 20+ years and their career peak is long over so...ehhh. They'll be back though once their money runs out. _________________ Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 920 Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:06 am Post subject:
bello_returns wrote:
R.E.M. breaks up and now Sonic Youth might? Oh no! Whatever will the little hipsters do!
Just to clarify, this sarcastic comment was not aimed at the users on this forum. A few people I work with who are 19, 20 years old were talking about it as if the world would just not go on. After further conversation, I discovered these people know next to nothing about either of these bands yet claim to be the authority of them. They also were talking as if Sonic Youth and R.E.M. are these obscure bands. Yes they probably were too young to have grown up with them but R.E.M. and Sonic Youth are HARDLY obscure. As far as my personal feeling, I wasn't a HUGE Sonic Youth fan, but I did like them and I of course respected the hell out of them. But I can't say I'm going to lose sleep over their breakup. I mean, they've been around for 20+ years and their career peak is long over so...ehhh. They'll be back though once their money runs out.
Jeezo Debbie Downer, if you don't care if they broke up why even bother posting....
As far as Sonic Youth being over the hill, I really gotta disagree with you there. They've continued to put out great albums (Murray Street is a fantastic latter day record), and though it's been about a decade since I last saw them live, from all accounts by people whom I trust, they still put on one hell of a live show.
The last sentence of your post leads me to believe you really missed the boat on SY entirely. I can't think of many other bands that have been less motivated by money. When they hang it up (which I hope they haven't), I'm inclined to think that's all she wrote.
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 2706 Location: springfield
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:09 am Post subject:
I mean, I see what you're saying, Bello--it's always annoying when people go apeshit over bands breaking up that they were never really that into in the first place. But as a fucking 35 year old librarian (read: frumpy as all fuck) rather than a 20 year old hipster, I can assure you that this is not a pose on my part. I'm not despondent, but I'm genuinely sad because that band was such a huge part of my life when I was about 20.
Also...let's not sully out conversation about Sonic Youth by talking about REM. I don't even put those two bands in the same universe.
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 567 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject:
TheOtherOne420 wrote:
Jeezo Debbie Downer, if you don't care if they broke up why even bother posting....
As far as Sonic Youth being over the hill, I really gotta disagree with you there. They've continued to put out great albums (Murray Street is a fantastic latter day record), and though it's been about a decade since I last saw them live, from all accounts by people whom I trust, they still put on one hell of a live show.
The last sentence of your post leads me to believe you really missed the boat on SY entirely. I can't think of many other bands that have been less motivated by money. When they hang it up (which I hope they haven't), I'm inclined to think that's all she wrote.
Sorry dude, my intent wasn't to shit on people's life. I do care that they may break up, I mean I DO like them. But I'd be lying if I said I was as emotionally invested in them like many people are. I think they're one of the greatest bands to come out of the 80's. My feelings toward them is more of a "wow I really respect the hell out of them" as opposed to "this band changed my life." But I attribute that 100% to my age (23).
Also, I didn't mean to say they're over the hill because they are not. What I meant was, when a band has been going on for THAT long without any sort of significant hiatus, for ME its not as sad when they break up. Maybe because there's so much material that I find it hard to get bored. I dunno, that's just me though, I don't expect others to agree. I'll use Depeche Mode as an example, not because I equate them at all, only because they've been around just as long and continue to consistently release things like SY. If DM broke up, yeah I like them and I'd be a little bit bummed like "damn that sucks" but I wouldn't be heartbroken. I dunno, I just feel more upset when I feel a band was just getting started and then they stop (like Rilo )
And let's be real here. Sonic Youth may not be the major label manufactured machine that, oh I don't know, Britney Spears is but you can't say they aren't motivated by money. All notable bands are driven by money just some more than others. Its their job. Its how they support themselves. I highly doubt they tour for free or for minimum wage. They negotiate deals and have a "price" just like the rest of the bands out there. Bands that aren't interested in money don't sign with Geffen Records. So when I say they will reunite once their money runs out, I mean Sonic Youth is their bread and butter. I'm sure Kim will give Thurston a call if they ever fall on hard times. _________________ Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.
Last edited by bello_returns on Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 567 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject:
Heather wrote:
I mean, I see what you're saying, Bello--it's always annoying when people go apeshit over bands breaking up that they were never really that into in the first place. But as a fucking 35 year old librarian (read: frumpy as all fuck) rather than a 20 year old hipster, I can assure you that this is not a pose on my part. I'm not despondent, but I'm genuinely sad because that band was such a huge part of my life when I was about 20.
Also...let's not sully out conversation about Sonic Youth by talking about REM. I don't even put those two bands in the same universe.
Forgive me, I did not think you were a 20 year old hipster nor did I think you were posing as someone who's sad about the breakup. Its really dumb but the reputation of a band as well the fanbase of a band can kind of ruin things for other people. Its a stupid concept but you can't deny its true. And for alot of people my age, Sonic Youth is loved by them more for their reputation as a staple of alternative culture rather than their music. Its really fucking annoying. Does that affect how I feel about Sonic Youth's music? Not at all (in fact Confusion Is Sex is in my top 20 favorite 80's albums) . But I hate that because I'm 23, if I say I like SY, a label is put on me as being a "hipster" which is probably why I was being sarcastic previously. Oh and God forbid I mention that I enjoy The Ramones. Oh we won't even go there.
I say all this to say, my sarcasm on my previous post was directed at people who are going apeshit over this SY thing who clearly aren't into them. It annoys me when people feign liking a band due to their reputation (my aforementioned co-workers). It also annoys me when a band's reputation has been tainted and therefore people who genuinely like them are slapped with some idiotic label.
And you're absolutely right, SY and REM are not in the same universe whatsoever. _________________ Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 920 Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:
bello_returns wrote:
Forgive me, I did not think you were a 20 year old hipster nor did I think you were posing as someone who's sad about the breakup. Its really dumb but the reputation of a band as well the fanbase of a band can kind of ruin things for other people. Its a stupid concept but you can't deny its true. And for alot of people my age, Sonic Youth is loved by them more for their reputation as a staple of alternative culture rather than their music. Its really fucking annoying. Does that affect how I feel about Sonic Youth's music? Not at all (in fact Confusion Is Sex is in my top 20 favorite 80's albums) . But I hate that because I'm 23, if I say I like SY, a label is put on me as being a "hipster" which is probably why I was being sarcastic previously. Oh and God forbid I mention that I enjoy The Ramones. Oh we won't even go there.
I say all this to say, my sarcasm on my previous post was directed at people who are going apeshit over this SY thing who clearly aren't into them. It annoys me when people feign liking a band due to their reputation (my aforementioned co-workers). It also annoys me when a band's reputation has been tainted and therefore people who genuinely like them are slapped with some idiotic label.
And you're absolutely right, SY and REM are not in the same universe whatsoever.
Me thinks bello doth protest too much with the hipster label.
Honestly, who gives a shit what other people think about your musical choices? And why get worked up over whether other people are valid fans or not? These are fool's errands.
I had more points to make, but I feel like this is getting off topic. SY is awesome and I may never have a chance to see them live again or listen to a new album of theirs, and that sucks.
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 2706 Location: springfield
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject:
bello_returns wrote:
Forgive me, I did not think you were a 20 year old hipster nor did I think you were posing as someone who's sad about the breakup.
Of course I knew this, but I wanted to point out that some of us are unhip enough to experience and express genuine emotions about things like bands we genuinely like possibly breaking up.
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 567 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:08 am Post subject:
TheOtherOne420 wrote:
Me thinks bello doth protest too much with the hipster label.
Honestly, who gives a shit what other people think about your musical choices? And why get worked up over whether other people are valid fans or not? These are fool's errands.
I had more points to make, but I feel like this is getting off topic. SY is awesome and I may never have a chance to see them live again or listen to a new album of theirs, and that sucks.
I don't HATE the hipster label, I just would prefer not to be called one solely because of the music I like. For me, hipster-ism (is that a word?) is a lifestyle. Maybe I am, who knows. I just don't care for being labelled things.
And you're right, I spend FAR too much time caring about why people feel the way they do or act the way they act. I shouldn't, but its just me. Plus, I'm not just a music fan, I'm a musician myself as well as a person who wishes to have a career in music whether its rockstar or music teacher. So things like that may be "who cares" to some people but music is my life and passion so things like that rattle me. I'm sure a doctor would be upset if some other doctor was "fakin the funk" about medical shit. Its more personal when its your passion (not saying it ISNT your passion).
But hey, I must not care THAT much since you have given me so much shit over this Britney Spears thing yet I still have the courage to mention her here so that should count for SOMETHING right??? What can I say man, I like the girl. I CAN'T HELP IT!!
EDIT: I don't think we went too far off-topic, we were talking about Sonic Youth and they deserve a discussion right? Also, out of sheer boredom I was reading some of my older posts and WOW I cannot believe I got so riled up back in the day. Kids huh? Now if I could just work on the long-winded thing... _________________ Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 920 Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:24 am Post subject:
bello_returns wrote:
And you're right, I spend FAR too much time caring about why people feel the way they do or act the way they act. I shouldn't, but its just me. Plus, I'm not just a music fan, I'm a musician myself as well as a person who wishes to have a career in music whether its rockstar or music teacher. So things like that may be "who cares" to some people but music is my life and passion so things like that rattle me. I'm sure a doctor would be upset if some other doctor was "fakin the funk" about medical shit. Its more personal when its your passion (not saying it ISNT your passion).
I'm a musician too (as I'm sure a lot of people around here are), so just put that one back in the deck. That's really neither here nor there when it comes to the points we both were making.
If someone is faking being a huge fan of a trendy/popular band, that's really them just being insecure. Cut them some slack instead of getting personally offended. To stick with your example, it's rock n roll not brain surgery. Relax.
Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 2912 Location: Howell, NJ
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:27 am Post subject:
Heather wrote:
Also...let's not sully out conversation about Sonic Youth by talking about REM. I don't even put those two bands in the same universe.
I do. I think a lot of people don't realize the impact that REM had early in their career. They opened up college and alternative rock to a much broader spectrum of people. Sonic Youth certainly got more popular because of them. Thurston has stated it in the past. Hell, they even toured together. _________________ "When God gave us mirrors....he had no idea...."
My Morning Jacket - Librarian.
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 2706 Location: springfield
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:10 pm Post subject:
Built To Post wrote:
Heather wrote:
Also...let's not sully out conversation about Sonic Youth by talking about REM. I don't even put those two bands in the same universe.
I do. I think a lot of people don't realize the impact that REM had early in their career. They opened up college and alternative rock to a much broader spectrum of people. Sonic Youth certainly got more popular because of them. Thurston has stated it in the past. Hell, they even toured together.
Unlike Sonic Youth, though, REM's latter-day output was terrible. This is just my entirely unscientific opinion. And to be honest, I just never got into them. So I'm not talking about their place in music history or anything, just my own opinion of their music. Which is, you know, that it sucks.
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 567 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject:
I wouldn't say R.E.M. SUCKS, I like them alot but I would agree with Heather that their later stuff is pretty bad. Well who am I to say its bad, I just don't care for it.
Sonic Youth I think was a bit more influential though especially since they aren't as musically accessible as R.E.M. Just two very different bands is all. I don't even think they're comparable. I only brought them up because R.E.M. just broke up a few weeks ago. _________________ Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.
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