Posts Tagged ‘Sonic Youth’

In a recent interview with Shortlist, Paul Weller claimed that the constant amount of reformations is liable to “hurt new bands because nobody’s looking out for anything new.” And the main question you could ask is, just what are people looking out for?

Black Sabbath are the latest band to confirm a reunion, publicising that they’ll play the second headline slot at Download Festival next year whilst also announcing a world tour is on the cards. The declaration comes as no particular shock given the increasingly popular trend amongst more mature bands to jump on the old beaten wagon.

The Sonic Youth compilation ‘Hits Are For Squares‘, previously available only through limited outlets, is to receive a full release next month through Universal.

The album, to be released on October 31st, contains tracks from throughout the grunge pioneers’ career, which have been selected by a diverse group of Sonic Youth fans which includes Beck, David Cross, and Portia de Rossi, while a new song, ‘Slow Revolution‘, will also be included.

In the last ten years The Cribs have come a long way from their roots in the Merrie City. They developed as musicians and as people in the north of England, finding their feet in an old abandoned mill – an unofficial venue where they would also put on a whole camaraderie of chancers with a dream. A decade on and the brothers Grimm (famed as Jarman) return to the smaller stages again for the first time since the departure of The Smiths‘ guitarist Johnny Marr. Bassist and singer Gary Jarman takes time before the first show in almost a year to talk about the band’s humble beginnings.

An iconic 1991 tour documentary featuring Sonic Youth being supported throughout Europe by Nirvana is set to be re-released as a DVD, according to original director Dave Markey.

Sweden’s presence on the world’s musical landscape is one that is criminally undervalued. The unofficial ambassadors of Swedish music are undoubtedly Abba, yet there is a wealth of talent that the country has pumped into the industry, a contribution which is still prevalent today. The Hives, Mando Diao, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, The Knife, The Cardigans, Robyn and Jose Gonzales all hail from this corner of the globe. Peter Bjorn and John also rub shoulders with this growing list of artists that have conquered the mainstream, mainly thanks to their breakthrough hit ‘Young Folks‘. There is also a very active heavy metal scene which draws appreciation and accolade worldwide, if that’s your sort of thing.

In today’s Soundbites, our quick take on news, reviews and tabloid gossip, Axl Rose continues his one-man battle against Reading/Leeds, Amy Winehouse offers Pete Doherty her flat, there’s a track from Dead Confederate’s recently released album, Sex Pistols move into smellies, and Katy Perry could be in the money.

After re-starting the Plastic Ono Band in New York earlier this year for a show that included the likes of Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and Bette Midler, Yoko Ono is now set to play two new dates in Los Angeles in October which will feature a new collection of special guests.

For younger generations in the UK, there has long been an enviable awe surrounding all things New York – the centre of style and the bastion of ‘cool’. Whether it’s for the latest fashion, TV shows or the newest musical trends, it seems the UK has always had an insatiable desire to latch on to the NYC ethos and take a bite of the Big Apple. And it would be fair to say that there are plenty of attractions in this imitable metropolis that can’t be found on the other side of the pond – the city’s music scene for one.