Three Imaginary Girls - Sonic Youth

Got any Capitol Hill Block Party line-up guesses / rumors? My money is on Thurston Moore...

imaginary liz — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:08:18 +0000

{Photo: Ari Marcopoulos, 2011}

I just heard a song from the new Thurston Moore album {set to be released on 5/24 on Matador} and it's as sweet as a Carpenters cover {listen/download "Benediction" now}. As Thurston describes the song:

"On day one I played the first song sitting in front of a Beck-wired microphone, its design informed by the cut of Joseph Beuys’ cerebellum. The jam is called “Benediction”, where the camera records the adult girl reading a love letter written on the back blank pages of her hymnal where he knew only she could find it."

And while I was reading through his self-penned bio {well done, Thurston!}, I noticed his summer tour schedule -- and oh boy -- it looks like there is a neat little block of time in the Pacific Northwest that could accomodate a stop at the Capitol Hill Block Party?

Countdown to the Royal Wedding! Let's talk {indie-rock} royal couples

imaginary liz — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:52:55 +0000

The world is a buzz with Royal Wedding chatter... and I am all for it. I love talking about royal matchings, probably because of all my fond memories of the glory days when Damon {Albarn of Blur} and Justine {Frischmann of Elastica} ruled the Britpop scene.

These days I get to fantasize of the regal day to days of Ad-Rock and Kathleen Hanna {who brilliantly blend mainstream and indie success into one fantastic machine}. And, of course, the cutest couple of all time award goes to Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon {followed closely by Matt & Kim in second place}.

Who are your favorite {indie-rock} royal couples past and present, local and national?

Legendary NW rock band D.O.A. release DVD autobiography

Chris Estey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:11:23 +0000

When old school Seattle punk-metal icon Duff McKagan wrote about punk rock at the Seattle Weekly a couple of weeks ago, he gave a little list of bands he considers essential to the canon. Though it wasn't specifically numerical in importance, the phenomenon-by-response stack of heroes began with The Ramones (good choice), then The Clash (a little more arguable, but who can resist?), and then -- D.O.A.

To quote McKagan:

"D.O.A., Something Better Change: If you grew up in the Northwest in the late '70s or early '80s, D.O.A. were a larger-than-life example of how brilliant a live rock band should be. They were as important as any band in history, as far as I'm concerned."

The actual word "hardcore" as applied to latter period North American punk rock is most likely taken from a D.O.A. album title -- Hardcore '81. Note the year of its release, and that there really wasn't a musical genre with that name before D.O.A. nailed their hard, fast, no compromise sound.

Capitol Hill Block Party 2009 {Saturday}

Chelsea Werner — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:39:53 +0000

25 Jul 2009

As I approached Block Party from Broadway on day two of Block Party, I heard the rising wave of Hey Marseilles on the main stage. Upon entering, my half hung over self was immediately swept up in their orchestral swell. Their performance only got better and better until the last song where their improvised musical meanderings became overwhelming.

By 3:30 the Saturday heat smothering the Vera Stage was intense and as Collin English, drummer of The Pica Beats expressed in their video interview, losing three pounds playing their set was the highlight of the show. It wasn’t their best set, but the use of a horn section in lieu of recently losing their keyboardist, worked extremely well, especially on the extended version of “Territoire” (watch the imaginary interview).

The shade in Neumo’s during The Girls hardly offered respite from the heat, as the floor was packed for their set that started off with an Elvis Costello feeling of light-heartedness, but became more cut and dry rock as their songs employed Nirvana-esque feedback and shredding solos. Personally I’m of the opinion that the world does not need another guitar solo. So I left to join the smiles beaming up at the main stage as Brooklyn-based, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart began to play a set that was all crashing and soft, like a two ton truck full of angora bunnies had been dumped on the crowd.

Let’s say a crap-load of extremely furry bunnies had been hoping around during their set, we all could have started knitting scarves and gotten really down with the twee that The Pains of Being Pure at Heart were already draping over our shoulders. I had been looking forward to seeing TPOBPAH perhaps more than any other band at Block Party, considering this was their first show in Seattle. I wasn’t the only one; you’d think they had played many times and were beloved by all, based on the audience reaction. Their boy-girl harmonies were not perfect and that was fine with me, in fact I wish I could have heard the vocals better over the rolling fuzz of sound. I swear strangers were making friends as “Everything With You” began and by the end of their set, I felt kinder towards everyone around me and psyched for the upcoming release of their Higher Than The Stars EP, out September 22nd on Slumberland.

Next I caught New Faces playing the Vera stage and wondered when the post-punk revival of Interpol had been revitalized and if this wasn’t another post-post-poster band. However, the new material they played used a decent amount of keyboard that managed to uplift their sound and add an interesting dimension to the warbling vocals of Nico Janssen. The crowd had a conspicuous amount of parents in it, but everyone was clapping along to almost every song.

The Thermals took the main stage as the sun was setting but I could see enough to catch the fist-pumping on stage during “How We Know” before breaking into a cover of Nirvana’s “Sappy.” Despite our location making this cover a safe-bet crowd pleaser, somehow this seemed ballsy in The Thermals’ unabashed admittance of their influences. Not content with one cover, they also played The Breeders’ “Saints.” This brought me great joy as I feel like they probably play a tighter live version of this song than The Breeders themselves.

(Thermals photo by joshc as posted in the TIG flickr photo pool.)

Sauntering into The Lonely Forest’s set I was impressed by the way that this band didn’t limit itself to any one musical genre. Their sad slow songs became yelled laments, harnessing a slight amount of grungy introspection. They were consistently melodic, never plain old noisy, and during “Malconstitution” it began to rain with sincerity almost equal to that of the singers vocals. However, despite the yelling, the tight melodies and the sincere-soaked lyrics, The Lonely Forest never became emo, or even screamo. They managed to coat their songs in a softness that didn’t allow the emotions expressed to feel feigned.

While watching The Gossip cover Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody,” I was debating taking Thurston Moore’s advice during his live KEXP interview that we all go home and deactivate our Facebook accounts tonight. But how could I focus on that as Beth Ditto said “Cheers bitches,” and we all started to drink. The Gossip rocked out, Ditto’s breathy powerful vocals backed by the forceful and fun tunes being weaved together by Paine and Billie. They seemed to being having a blast, Ditto breaking into a rendition of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” before they trailed into their own hits.

(Thermals photo by joshc as posted in the TIG flickr photo pool.)
Next was the set that I was perhaps most surprised by. Future of Left was inside Neumo’s, and even though it seemed like everyone was outside for the end of The Gossip and the beginning of Sonic Youth on the main stage, it was packed. As aggressive as their albums may be, The Future of The Left’s live show had the floorboards caving under the collective pounding of the band and the audience. Someone had their crutches in the air, clapping along to Andy Flakous’ synthesizer playing. Mclusky fans may feel that FotL’s use of a synthesizer is too divergent from the guitar driven rock they loved, but don’t be fooled, this element is what made these songs more than just testosterone packed pounding.

Thurston Moore told us that Sonic Youth’s set would be mostly tracks off The Eternal, and I knew it would be widely covered, so while I stayed to absorb some of their set, since I adore them, I quickly headed to Vera Stage to end my night with Vancouver band, The Japandroids. I’m pretty sure guitarist Brian King brings his own fan with him on tour so that he can stand in front of it and blow back his glorious curls. If this was just a fluke, he should consider making it a staple of their live show.

For two people they packed a lot of f-ing energy into their songs and were still asking the sound people to make them two times louder. The drum kit was facing the side of the stage rather than the front and while drummer David Prowse sang on “Rockers East Vancouver,” a slightly emo jam, King stood with one foot on Prowse’s bass drum, strumming away. You could tell that these two boys have a lot of love for each other and were having a seriously good time defying the festival, saying, “We’re just gonna keep playing till they pull the plug. Heck, we’re in Seattle, not Vancouver.”

And so day two ended, leaving me with the knowledge of just how loved Seattle is, with almost every band citing Seattle as one of their favorite places to play. Maybe they say that everywhere they go, but I for one felt it.

All of the photos without photo credit noted above are by Trickshot Photography... see them all!

Recommended Show: Capitol Hill Block Party 2009

Chelsea Werner — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:47:39 +0000

Considering the window of weather for outdoor antics is pitifully small in Seattle, it seems we have learned to really pack the few months of sunshine with good times, great oldies and a bunch of great new bands as well. 12 years ago Capitol Hill Block Party began and next week you can take part in its revelry. With a particularly punk-rock lineup, what a good time it will be! With three stages and over 50 bands between July 24th and 25th, not to mention satellite parties to attend, you ‘d really have to strive to not have fun at Block Party. This year the headliners on the main stage are The Jesus Lizard on the main stage Friday night and Sonic Youth on Saturday.

Tickets are still available (but I can't imagine it wont sell out soon - so go get yours soon). And if you're headed there, note that the main entrance has moved to 12th and Pike which should make for a better traffic flow.

The Eternal

Andrew Boe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:45:35 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026BD2II/?tag=wwwthreeimagi-20

sonic_youth_the_eternal_cover.jpg

“Smash the moral hypocrisy” is one of the lines in “Anti-Orgasm,” one of the many standout tracks on Sonic Youth’s brand new landmark album, The Eternal. The epigram is not only standard fare, but is also a sign that the group still has the characteristic unsettled angst that it is known for. After countless classic albums, the band still has the gritty edge and intellect that defined them some twenty-five years ago.

The Eternal marks a return to an independent label, Matador Records, after an impressively long running stint with Geffen. The album’s twelve songs meld together amazingly well. By the time that the record’s closing tune, a nearly ten minute long epic “Massage the History,” ends, it is clear that this is another highlight in a historic career that has already been full of so many.

With distorted guitars, Sonic Youth creates a canvas of craftsmanship that is all their own. In “Malibu Gas Station,” Kim Gordon sounds at once seductive and at the same time, menacing. Her voice, incredibly, does not seem to have aged over the years. The other thing about this legendary act is that they continue not only to remain consistent as hell, but are still making records that rank up there with their best.

With aural chaos and pervading anti-establishment sensibilities, The Eternal is effervescing with beautiful grime soaked melodies. Again, there is no filler, just a dozen new tracks that sit adjacent to one another in cohesion. These songs are fantastic additions to Sonic Youth’s remarkable career. I don’t know how much longer that they can continue in this fashion, but this new LP is certainly top notch material.

“Smash the moral hypocrisy” is one of the lines in “Anti-Orgasm,” one of the many standout tracks on Sonic Youth’s brand new landmark album, The Eternal. The epigram is not only standard fare, but is also a sign that the group still has the characteristic unsettled angst that it is known for. After countless classic albums, the band still has the gritty edge and intellect that defined them some twenty-five years ago.

Matador releases special edition vinyl for Record Store Day

imaginary victoria — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:54:02 +0000

Limited edition vinyl releases from Jay Reatard, Sonic Youth, and Pavement!!!

Who isn't covering The Ramones these days?

ChrisB — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:55:55 +0000

"Ramones cover" turns up 3,630 entries on YouTube.

I'm Not There Soundtrack

imaginary stella — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:38:22 +0000

yes

http://www.amazon.com/Im-Not-There-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000VS6P9Q/wwwthreeimagi-20/

imnotthereimage.jpg

It's been quite a couple of weeks for I'm Not There. First, Cate Blanchett earned a nomination for best supporting actress for her rendition of a young Dylan. And then later that day we learned of the untimely death of one the film’s amazingly talented stars, Heath Ledger.

I’d love to write about the whole record, which is almost exclusively a cover album — but the thing is, it's absolutely massive at more than 2.5 hours long. That’s a lotta Dylan covers, even for a serious fan. Only at the end, on the concluding track of disc two, do we ever hear the film's muse in a rendition of the album and film’s namesake, “I’m Not There.”

The album covers the gamut of veteran rockers: Sonic Youth, John Doe, Los Lobos, Willie Nelson, and many more populate the 30+ tracks. There are some voices just suited for Dylan: Stephen Malkmus (perfect on bluesy ballads like “Ballad of a Thin Man”), Mark Lanegan (has there ever been a more haunted voice in rock? On “Man in the Long Black Coat”), Chan Marshal (so embodying a female Dylan, it’s almost eerie on “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”).

Others, however, sound off somehow. Karen O can hang with a bluesy riff, but she sounds too impassioned for Dylan’s monotonous delivery. And while Sufjan Stevens’ take on “Ring Them Bells” is beautiful, it’s almost too pretty for Dylan’s grittier, unpolished style. For lead track “All Along the Watchtower,” I was conflicted: The Hendrix version has always been one of my favorite covers, so it’s tough to hear yet another rendition — even when it has one of my favorite artists (Eddie Vedder) on vox.

All in all, the soundtrack feels a bit excessive, but I’ve got to see this movie to see how the film and soundtrack weave together. I suspect that’ll be in the next few weeks, to see what all the Oscar hype is about, and to catch one of the late Ledger's last performances on this earth.

At more than 2.5 hours long, that’s a lotta Dylan covers, even for a serious fan.

Guitar Hero 3 lets you master The Stone Roses and Sex Pistols!

imaginary liz — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:17:01 +0000

Sure there's some stinkers on the list (one need only see the names Die Hoten Toten and Slipnot to revert back to your original thought on the Guitar Hero phenomenon), but I think Weezer and Sonic Youth songs make it pretty cool. I think I could nail the Stone Roses and Kaiser Chief (and, ok, Guns n Roses) songs.

Let the Halloween video parade begin: Sonic Youth, Smoosh, Beck, Arcade Fire unite!

imaginary liz — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:41:38 +0000

Here's a video put out a while back from The North American Halloween Prevention Initiative. It's kinda weird and it was hard to get my brain around it before the morning muffin... but it features a ton of awesomeness in the line-up -- and that's good enough for me.

Greatest Indie Anthems

imaginary liz — Thu, 03 May 2007 20:04:09 +0000

Just because it is now officially NME Thursday, how about we talk about the Greatest Indie Anthems ever... and what NME / Xfm and the general UK public think they are.

1987 Was a Beautiful Year

imaginary stella — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:38:41 +0000

KEXP uber-DJ John in the Morning just completed a wondrous feat: an hour and a half of music all straight outta 1987. At first I thought myself caught in a timewarp, and then I wondered aloud, "who died?"

Talkin' shit about an indie rock t-shirt

imaginary marlene — Thu, 12 Sep 2002 07:00:00 +0000

12 Sep 2002

goo2.jpg

Everyone knows the Indie-Rock-Show-T-Shirt Rule™, right? You know the one, that unwritten rule: whatever band you are going to see, you must, if you insist upon wearing a band t-shirt, wear a band shirt that is at least one degree more obscure, cool, or unknown than the band you are currently seeing. This sets you apart from the masses, and is especially important when seeing a larger crossover band such as Sonic Youth; one must be distinguishable from the mainstream masses, right?

In my reverie I began to mutter to myself about this little rule. Meditatively bored waiting for Modest Mouse (and soon Sonic Youth) to begin, I had the brilliant idea to meticulously catalogue the dreadful, inspired, lovely, or frightful t-shirts the various show-goers are outfitted in as they saunter past me.

Imaginary Dana wondered what I was doing, and I explained this silly, yet seemingly fitting, rule. Suddenly, with overwhelming levels of excitement, we both became consumed with spotting people in band shirts and discussing whether or not they qualify for an indie-rock gold star, or if they're just making a statement that says, "I like MM and SY, but I *really* like Blink 182 the most!" (Should we subtract points for not only straying from the rule, but also reversing the intent of the rule by wearing a shirt several degrees in the opposite direction?)

This little experiment raised a few questions: First, if you are wearing a t-shirt for a band currently playing, does that make you a dork? Or is one simply expressing ardent devotion to the band? Or perhaps, if you're wearing a shirt that is really old (Confusion is Sex shirt — sufficiently beat up and faded) are you letting people know that you've been a fan since the beginning? That you are not to be messed with? That you've got all the singles, studio albums, and bootlegs? That you know your shit? Well, we saw a few Modest Mouse shirts, and we spotted a lot of Sonic Youth shirts: Murray Street x2, Dirty, Goo x2, Confusion is Sex, generic Sonic Youth x2.

After a good 30 minutes of scribbling madly in the notebook, we developed quite the list of t-shirts. Our findings and meditations...

Band t-shirts that qualify for sufficient indie-rock cred:
Murder City Devils, Pedro the Lion, PGMG, Hot Hot Heat, Mike Watt, Juno, Blond Redhead, Himsa, Moldy Peaches, the Knitters, Pavement, Briefs, Doves, Guided by Voices, Stereolab, IQU

Super gold star:
Marlene's pick: Smog
Dana's pick: Pretty Girls Make Graves

Masses, apparently unaware of the rule:
Grateful Dead, Blink 182, Slipknot, NIN, Lead Zepplin, Strokes, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Rancid, Sublime, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Phish (Note: these are not *all* terrible bands, however, they don’t express that the person had any knowledge of the rule — and really, it's a bit disconcerting when spotting a grandpa in a Nirvana shirt, grandkids in tow.)

Old-school:
Dead Kennedys, Ramones, the Vandals, Devo, Patty Smith, Misfits, Clash

Kitch:
Michael Bolton (nice!), Kiss (at least I think they were wearing it in jest?), and Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players

This offered minutes of amusement as we discussed various variables including whether it was cooler to wear a local band shirt, tour vs. album, mock vs. serious, and "indie" vs. "other."

Dana asks what t-shirt I'd wear if I were to wear one? I only have one band t-shirt, that I don’t often wear, but pretending I had any at my disposal I'd go for a cute, girly Gastr Del Sol t-shirt. This would afford me two benefits: (1) it’s sufficiently more obscure than either Sonic Youth or Modest Mouse and (2) would express that I am a fan of one of the lesser-known, and recently-added, members of Sonic Youth (Jim O’Rourke); I might also be able to establish that I am actually there to see Jim, not the uber-popular Sonic Youth. No really, I’m only here to see Jim. I am just that "indie," that "cool," deserve that much cred, that I will brave the masses to see my favorite experimental musician play with some major-label-band. Yeah.

This game provided much entertainment whilst waiting for Sonic Youth to actually start. We were actually planning on reviewing Modest Mouse, but we couldn’t really hear them all that well, and once we were consumed in the indie-rock t-shirt game, there was no letting up. But, from what I could discern, Modest Mouse were pretty good. I do wish Ugly Casanova had played instead, or in addition to Modest Mouse (might I be the only one who likes UC much, much more than MM?)