Confusion Is Next: The Sonic Youth Story by Alec Foege (St Martin's Press 1994)

Sonic Youth, too young to be punk and too old to be alternative, is the key to understanding and appreciating what happened between then and now. In 1981 Sonic Youth formed amid the burnt embers of punk's explosion and No Wave's fizzle. In 1990 the band enjoined Geffen, its current label, with Nirvana, the group who changed it all. This book is an attempt to tell the story of the last fifteen or so years in rock-music history through a band that, although it has yet to sell a million albums or become an MTV or commercial-radio mainstay, somehow embodies a sea change in American popular-culture tastes.

Whatever happened to Bob Bert?

Apparently, it's not just MsMacGuff who has issues with NYC's finest:

"Sonic Youth - how can you be in a band for about 25 years and make about 20 albums and never have a single song? It's just jazz by people who are shit at their instruments "

Harsh but funny one line career overview from 'isitme' on the enjoyable 'Diss music that everyone likes' thread on Urban 75.

Friday's Playlist #6

An ongoing series:

Down the Tiny Steps, 'Handstand' (Get While The Getting's Good compilation)

Sonic Youth, 'Sunday' (A Thousand Leaves)

blaknoisewhitesoul, 'RuleBreaker'

Wire, 'French Film Blurred' (Chairs Missing)

Dr Who, 'London Town'

Down the Tiny Steps, 'Infintea' (Live Radio Scotland session)

XTC, 'Helicopter' (Drums And Wires)

Superqueens, 'Rat Poison' (Royal Shit)

The Rakes, 'Dark Clouds' (B-side to 'Retreat')

High Priests, 'Hibernation'

Update 11/11/ 22

The tragedy that is finding great tracks on MySpace 15 years ago but not being able to refind them in 2022. Step forward blaknoisewhitesoul and Down the Tiny Steps. Both from Scotland, both found on MySpace and, sadly, both now largely lost to the ether. The High Priests and Superqueens were also found on MySpace back in the day but thankfully have been found on Spotify. (I especially like the High Priests track.) Dr Who was a WSPUS member from Chicago. Nice bloke. The track 'London Town' has some guest vocals from Gee Vaucher of Crass fame. Sadly, I can't find the track anywhere. Hopefully it will turn up again one day. I remember that I liked it.

Spotify Playlist Link.