Sonic Youth

What a crazy weekend in Chicago.  Taste of Chicago began, the Cubs/Sox played three (with some beanball action!), USA/Brazil turned out to be both classic and heartbreaking, the Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade transformed Lakeview into a huge 3-day party, and, oh yeah, Sonic Youth played two XRT Shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Vic.

On their second night, a Chicago band by the name of White/Light hit the stage first with some No Wave-y, experimental sounds that were a perfect start to a Sonic Youth show.  Actually, listening to them now, as I type…  The song, “Curtis Mayfield,” on their Myspace page  almost sounds like something that David Lynch could’ve used in some of the creepiest, scariest scenes in Inland Empire. Listening for the third time now…  Play it for one of your feedback-hating friends.  They’ll hate it.  The band also features one time XRT intern, Jeremy Lemos.  Damn.  I can’t stop listening.  Might have something to do with the fact that it’s dark outside.  Some freezing cold weather can only make this music sound better, IMO.

On to Sonic Youth.  They hit the stage just after 8:00 on this evening, and as they were waiting to walk out and begin the show, I happened to be standing a few feet away from them on the side of the stage.  Being lucky enough to work at a radio station like XRT that has artists visiting all the time (and if you’ve heard my shows, you know that, yes, a whole lot of luck has been involved), and being fortunate enough to be allowed onto the stages of Chicago to thank the crowds for coming and all that, being near bands is something that you get used to a little bit.  If you’re a huge fan of their music, you might say hello and quickly mention how much you like their work or the show that you just saw, but you never really geek out or get star-struck.  That being said, I was in awe standing near Kim and Thurston.  I was later in awe watching them perform.  There’s nothing wrong with this band.  Everything is right.  They’re stars, but in true punk/indie spirit, you can’t imagine them ever acting that way. They’re excellent performers that can play tight, but can also cut loose into a noise jam better than anybody.  They’re so damn good, and smart, and legendary, and innovative, what is some goofball DJ doing writing about them?  What the hell can I say about Sonic Youth?  I guess I could thank them for existing, still giving us quality recordings almost 30 years in, and playing not one, but two shows for us on this craziest of summer weekends in Chicago.