[Johnny American]

Very sad news. Thurston and Kim's relationship will always be a wonderful, sweet part of the amazing Sonic Youth story. As a former obsessed teenage fan who got so much enjoyment and learned about so much other music and art, I wish Thurston and Kim the best. (And I hope Coco's alright ... only child.)

[handcraftedbymartin]

exactly, makes me want to move back to Columbia Maryland; the land i started from. The Gatefold photograph in Daydream Nation is half the reason that I moved to New York. I also started seeing them when I was around 12.

[scott v]

Originally Posted by Johnny American

Very sad news. Thurston and Kim's relationship will always be a wonderful, sweet part of the amazing Sonic Youth story. As a former obsessed teenage fan who got so much enjoyment and learned about so much other music and art, I wish Thurston and Kim the best. (And I hope Coco's alright ... only child.)

well said, it is quite sad news... none of us have any idea what they are going through as every relationship is different and respectfully I'll not even try to shed any light into it or what may happen with SY.

Whatever may happen from here we can't complain, its been a great run for the band or any band for that matter!

[Keeping It Simple]

First rule of being in a band is never marry any of your band mates. It might feel like sunshine and roses when it happens but it leaves the band on a rocky road.

[pokkeherrie]

^Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

What's the second rule? And the third?

[Keeping It Simple]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

^Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

What's the second rule? And the third?

Here are the other rules.

2. Your manager's not helping you. Fire him.

3. Before you sign a record deal, look up the word
"recoupable" in the dictionary.

4. No one cares who you've opened for.

5. A string section does not make your songs sound any
more "important".

6. If your band has gone through more than 4 bass
players, it's time to break up.

7. When you talk on stage you are never funny.

8. If you sound like another band, don't act like
you're unfamiliar with their music ("Oh, does Rage
Against The Machine also do rap-rock with political
lyrics?")

9. Asking a crowd how they're doing is just amplified
small talk. Don't do it.

10. Don't say your video's being played if it's only on
the Austin Music Network.

11. When you sign to a major label, claim to have inked
the best contract ever. Mention "artistic freedom" and
"a guaranteed 3 record deal".

12. When you get dropped insist that it was the worst
contract ever and you asked to be let go.

13. Never name a song after your band.

14. Never name your band after a song.

15. When a drummer brings in his own songs and asks to
perform one of them, begin looking for a new drummer
IMMEDIATELY.

16. Never enter a "battle of the bands" contest. If you
do you're already a loser.

17. Learn to recognize scary word pairings: "rock
opera", "white rapper", "blues jam", "swing band" "open
mike", etc.

18. Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear
gloves, but not both.

19. Listen, either break it to your parents or we will;
it's rock 'n' roll, not a soccer game. They've gotta
stop coming to your shows.

20. It's not a "showcase". It's a gig that doesn't pay.

21. No one cares that you have a web site.

22. Getting a tattoo is like sewing platform shoes to
your feet.

23. Don't hire a publicist.

24. Playing in Huntsville and Conroe doesn't mean
you're on tour.

25. Don't join a cover band that plays Bush songs.

26. Although they come in different styles and colors,
electric guitars all sound the same. Why do you keep
changing them between songs?

27. Don't stop your set to ask that beers be brought
up. That's what girlfriends are for.

28. If you use a smoke machine, your music stinks.

29. We can tell the difference between a professionally
produced album cover and one you made with the iMac
your mom got for Christmas.

30. Remember: if blues solos are so difficult, why can
so many 16 year olds play them?

31. If you ever take a publicity photo, destroy it. You
may never know where or when it will turn up.

32. Cut your hair, but do not shave your head.

33. Pierce your nose, but not your eyebrow.

34. Do not wear shorts onstage. Or a suit. Or a hat.

35. Rock oxymorons: "major label interest", "demo
deal"," blues genius", "$500 guarantee", and
"Fastball's second hit".

36. Three things that are never coming back: a)gongs,
b) headbands, and c)playing slide guitar with a beer
bottle

[E. Noisefield]

Originally Posted by groar

those examples of other bands and fleetwood mac,not good, christine mcvie moved on, but the bass player she left became a total wreck.
we're talking 27yrs, the part about they could continue without negative vibes...
what the fuck are you talking about, obviously some big black vibes have come up, cos' they're not even continuing as a married couple, I'd say the band comes after their marriage.
they no longer want to be married, but let's be friends, I still want to make music with you, but I'd never make another kid with you....
someone is not who we think they are?

I"m just saying (hoping) that they continue on in spite of this, and I don't see it as completely impossible.

Like I said- they're both sensible and sensitive people, and they're loyal to their fans. It's reasonable to hold out hope.

[pokkeherrie]

Originally Posted by Keeping It Simple

Here are the other rules.

2. Your manager's not helping you. Fire him.

3. Before you sign a record deal, look up the word
"recoupable" in the dictionary.

4. No one cares who you've opened for.

5. A string section does not make your songs sound any
more "important".

6. If your band has gone through more than 4 bass
players, it's time to break up.

7. When you talk on stage you are never funny.

8. If you sound like another band, don't act like
you're unfamiliar with their music ("Oh, does Rage
Against The Machine also do rap-rock with political
lyrics?")

9. Asking a crowd how they're doing is just amplified
small talk. Don't do it.

10. Don't say your video's being played if it's only on
the Austin Music Network.

11. When you sign to a major label, claim to have inked
the best contract ever. Mention "artistic freedom" and
"a guaranteed 3 record deal".

12. When you get dropped insist that it was the worst
contract ever and you asked to be let go.

13. Never name a song after your band.

14. Never name your band after a song.

15. When a drummer brings in his own songs and asks to
perform one of them, begin looking for a new drummer
IMMEDIATELY.

16. Never enter a "battle of the bands" contest. If you
do you're already a loser.

17. Learn to recognize scary word pairings: "rock
opera", "white rapper", "blues jam", "swing band" "open
mike", etc.

18. Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear
gloves, but not both.

19. Listen, either break it to your parents or we will;
it's rock 'n' roll, not a soccer game. They've gotta
stop coming to your shows.

20. It's not a "showcase". It's a gig that doesn't pay.

21. No one cares that you have a web site.

22. Getting a tattoo is like sewing platform shoes to
your feet.

23. Don't hire a publicist.

24. Playing in Huntsville and Conroe doesn't mean
you're on tour.

25. Don't join a cover band that plays Bush songs.

26. Although they come in different styles and colors,
electric guitars all sound the same. Why do you keep
changing them between songs?

27. Don't stop your set to ask that beers be brought
up. That's what girlfriends are for.

28. If you use a smoke machine, your music stinks.

29. We can tell the difference between a professionally
produced album cover and one you made with the iMac
your mom got for Christmas.

30. Remember: if blues solos are so difficult, why can
so many 16 year olds play them?

31. If you ever take a publicity photo, destroy it. You
may never know where or when it will turn up.

32. Cut your hair, but do not shave your head.

33. Pierce your nose, but not your eyebrow.

34. Do not wear shorts onstage. Or a suit. Or a hat.

35. Rock oxymorons: "major label interest", "demo
deal"," blues genius", "$500 guarantee", and
"Fastball's second hit".

36. Three things that are never coming back: a)gongs,
b) headbands, and c)playing slide guitar with a beer
bottle

Cheers, much appreciated.

I find this kind of talk more interesting than random speculations about the reasons for/consequences of the breaking up of T. and K.
Let's be patient, people. We'll see what happens eventually.

[therealglenstyler]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

Cheers, much appreciated.

I find this kind of talk more interesting than random speculations about the reasons for/consequences of the breaking up of T. and K.
Let's be patient, people. We'll see what happens eventually.

word. difficult to do, but absolutely right.

[Rob Instigator]

The press release came from Matador records, stating "future of band uncertain". SY is majority owner of Matador and has been since they came from geffen. This makes the "rumour" of band break up more definite in my eyes

[kimgw]

Originally Posted by foreverasskiss

I'll never listen to Kotton Krown again.

I agree with you. Although I have it carved in my head...

SY have been the heart, literally, of my life for 20yrs now and I've been speechless for a few days, since I read the news but -
I knew it - hate to play the witch - but I had heard it in their songs, lived i in their last group and solo shows - the sadness of the beautiful TM destroyeed thoughts - never really thought of the divorce but surely of the end of SY
and the eternal - if this album isn't a conclusive manifesto/final reflection/announcement of the end piece of music - then what is
I don't know if this was happening in their lives already at the time, if it was planned or consciously chosen, like SY's art production as a stage for a massive ultime love&life ritual...like kim was writing in the '80s
or else - that the ritual is happening without their knowledge and what they produced in their music came to its accomplishment in this split and following, certain, renewal

all the best to us all

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

Originally Posted by Keeping It Simple

Here are the other rules.

2. Your manager's not helping you. Fire him.

3. Before you sign a record deal, look up the word
"recoupable" in the dictionary.

4. No one cares who you've opened for.

5. A string section does not make your songs sound any
more "important".

6. If your band has gone through more than 4 bass
players, it's time to break up.

7. When you talk on stage you are never funny.

8. If you sound like another band, don't act like
you're unfamiliar with their music ("Oh, does Rage
Against The Machine also do rap-rock with political
lyrics?")

9. Asking a crowd how they're doing is just amplified
small talk. Don't do it.

10. Don't say your video's being played if it's only on
the Austin Music Network.

11. When you sign to a major label, claim to have inked
the best contract ever. Mention "artistic freedom" and
"a guaranteed 3 record deal".

12. When you get dropped insist that it was the worst
contract ever and you asked to be let go.

13. Never name a song after your band.

14. Never name your band after a song.

15. When a drummer brings in his own songs and asks to
perform one of them, begin looking for a new drummer
IMMEDIATELY.

16. Never enter a "battle of the bands" contest. If you
do you're already a loser.

17. Learn to recognize scary word pairings: "rock
opera", "white rapper", "blues jam", "swing band" "open
mike", etc.

18. Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear
gloves, but not both.

19. Listen, either break it to your parents or we will;
it's rock 'n' roll, not a soccer game. They've gotta
stop coming to your shows.

20. It's not a "showcase". It's a gig that doesn't pay.

21. No one cares that you have a web site.

22. Getting a tattoo is like sewing platform shoes to
your feet.

23. Don't hire a publicist.

24. Playing in Huntsville and Conroe doesn't mean
you're on tour.

25. Don't join a cover band that plays Bush songs.

26. Although they come in different styles and colors,
electric guitars all sound the same. Why do you keep
changing them between songs?

27. Don't stop your set to ask that beers be brought
up. That's what girlfriends are for.

28. If you use a smoke machine, your music stinks.

29. We can tell the difference between a professionally
produced album cover and one you made with the iMac
your mom got for Christmas.

30. Remember: if blues solos are so difficult, why can
so many 16 year olds play them?

31. If you ever take a publicity photo, destroy it. You
may never know where or when it will turn up.

32. Cut your hair, but do not shave your head.

33. Pierce your nose, but not your eyebrow.

34. Do not wear shorts onstage. Or a suit. Or a hat.

35. Rock oxymorons: "major label interest", "demo
deal"," blues genius", "$500 guarantee", and
"Fastball's second hit".

36. Three things that are never coming back: a)gongs,
b) headbands, and c)playing slide guitar with a beer
bottle

Did you write these?



Here are some of my rules about bands:

*never play a gig that asks you to sell a set number of tickets for it
*never expect the PA to be able to handle any direct in instrument, whether it be bass, drum machine, or synthesizer.
*never expect to be able to hear the important things through the monitors
*never let another band borrow your tube amp during a show you're playing
*bring a backup head & guitar, otherwise a tube will blow out on your main head & a string will break
*When singing, fucking sing. Don't scream, don't Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, or Ian Curtis it. You're not Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, or Ian Curtis & it just makes you sound tone deaf.
*Don't play in a band with anyone that thinks they're a virtuoso. And don't consider yourself one either. A drum solo, a bass solo, and a guitar solo all at once rarely sound good.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I think this calls for a new sequel to huskers on a plane.

[DeadDiscoDildo]

Originally Posted by ann ashtray

All of a sudden "Sonic Gossip" takes on a more literal meaning. Whatever.

That's all you needed to post.

Not the novel that follows haha.

[GeneticKiss]

You know what?

There's something about The Eternal which makes it very fitting as a last album.

I can't explain it.

But if it turned out to be the final Sonic Youth disc, I personally wouldn't mind.

Then again, I'm one of those curmudgeons who think bands should only release 4 or 5 albums and not be together for more than 15 years.

Sonic Youth have made their mark on music. They have risen from humble New York no wave origins to one of the seminal alternative rock bands of all time. They recorded an album that's generally considered one of the most important records in popular music (Daydream Nation, in case you haven't already figured that out) . They've contributed much to the world of art and avant garde music. They've helped turn people on to sounds they might not have explored, and given more recognition to underground/experimental composers-how many of us might've never gotten into Iannis Xenakis, John Cage, or Steve Reich if not for Sonic Youth? They helped give new life and meaning to some of Fender's least popular guitars...

If Sonic Youth split up, yeah, the world will lose a great band, but it's not like they haven't given us a lot already.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

Let's pretend that every Sonic Youth song is about their relationship:

"Disconnection Notice" is about the growing gap between them
"I Love You Golden Blue" is about Kim's growing relationship with her vibrator
"Turquoise Boy" is about Kim's lust for a Native American man
"Jams Run Free" is about Kim's middle age crisis that leads her away from monogamy
"Sleeping Around" are about Thurston's suspicion that she's being unfaithful
"What a Waste" is a response to Thurston's prudishness and adherence to old-fashioned monogamy
"Calming the Snake" is about Kim's sexual escapades with a well endowed man
"Poison Arrow" is about Kim & Thurston realizing their relationship has been on the rocks and them wondering who's responsible.
"Massage the History" is about Thurston's idealizing of the history of their relationship, whereas Kim sees it as always being rocky at best.
"No Way" is about Thurston's conflicted feelings towards Kim.

[hirsute_biped]

If they don't break up outright, I predict a protracted hiatus, with the only band activity being the release of archival materials, and lots of solo activity keeping Steve very busy. November South American tour will tell. It would be so weird if their last show was in Brazil. I would hope they would do a farewell show in NY (which i couldn't make it to anyway), but if it's broke it's broke.

We should count ourselves lucky to have witnessed such a mighty, astounding, prolific band for so long a time, and have so very many disparate recordings to go back and listen to. Three cheers for SY: hip hip hooray! (x3)

All things must pass

(enter Lee as George Harrison)

[badgercorn]

Originally Posted by hirsute_biped

We should count ourselves lucky to have witnessed such a mighty, astounding, prolific band for so long a time, and have so very many disparate recordings to go back and listen to. Three cheers for SY: hip hip hooray! (x3)

True. As John Lennon said about The Beatles splitting (comparable to the prospect of SY splitting, to say the least) "you have all the old records there if you want to reminisce."

Of course it's not definite that they'll split, but although I'd be gutted, it would be horrible and unreasonable for Kim and Thurston to be in some Fleetwood Mac/Abba situation. Sigh.

[hevusa]

God I hope Kim and Thurston don't do the mid-life crisis bullshit and start dating people 20 years their junior. Gross.

[floatingslowly]

yeah, gross!!!!

keep it no more than 13 years younger.