Sonic Youth – Hit The North

Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn

This film, directed by Charles Atlas for The South Bank Show in 1989, was what made me fall in love with SY, and admire Zorn. Using a fanzine type approach to his montage – talking heads floating in front of New York street scenes, it’s a typically playful approach from Atlas (more of whom, later).Continue reading “Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn”

Kim’s Karaoke

The late eighties was ripe for parody. Pompous, crass, sexist pop was seemingly ubiquitous. So, Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth took the leery Robert Palmer tune, Addicted To Love, and kicked it in its groin. Ciccone Youth’s The Whitey Album was both knowing piss -take and affectionate homage. Their Sonic Youth offshoot was never goingContinue reading “Kim’s Karaoke”

Lost In Music: Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch- Death Valley ’69

I’m not a huge admirer of Richard Kern. To me, he’s just a dirty old man who keeps on- inexplicably- getting art funds. Okay, Submit To Me was kinda sexy, in a ridiculous way. But his video for Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch ‘s Death Valley ’69 is brilliant, co-directed by Judith Barry. Indeed, someContinue reading “Lost In Music: Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch- Death Valley ’69”