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Posted in music | pictures on September 18, 2008
Thurston Moore played 'Psychic Hearts' in Northampton, MA
photos & review by Georgia Kral
There are many sides to Thurston Moore and each are represented when he plays- or rather, shreds- his Fender Jazzmaster so hard you can barely catch your breath. Last night (September 19, 2008) he gave the crowd at the Pearl Street Nightclub, in his hometown of Northampton, Mass., the goofy, fun and relaxed Thurston.
I've seen him with Sonic Youth many times- in venerable venues like McCarren Park Pool, Central Park SummerStage and even the tiny Maxwell's in Hoboken. I've seen him play guitar noise in dingy Bushwick lofts and at the tavern at Hampshire College in Amherst. But it was last night that Thurston came alive as a human and not just a rock star.
continued below...
The performance was part show, part rehearsal for the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival this weekend in Monticello, NY. He is set to play 1995's "Psychic Hearts" in its entirety and last night he played each track with a rare dedication. Thurston is the type of artist who is always seemingly 100 percent there. Sure, there were a few fumbles and he had giant note cards with the lyrics scrawled across them on a music stand, but the songs are that great.
Accompanying Thurston was the ever-present and dedicated Steve Shelley on drums (he also played on the record), Chris Brokaw on guitar and a long, curly haired bass player named Mutilation. The group is tight- both musically and personally. They have been touring for the past year, off and off, behind Thurston's recent solo album, "Trees Outside the Academy."
The songs are raw and for the most part short and punk-inspired ditties. Thurston and Chris have developed a certain guitar bond over the last year that is evident. Brokaw watches Thurston for cues, and as he is such a skilled player, can respond with textured and harmonic sounds that stabilize Thurston's chaotic strumming.
The banter between performers and audience was exciting and rare. At one point Thurston marveled at a young fan in front of him and asked, "Where were you in 1995?", after explaining he was living in New York, very in love with his wife and with a new baby.
The kid stammered, knowing that he was caught, and answered eventually that he was "7 and knew nothing." Thurston said he could be his father to which the kid responded, "My Dad is not as cool as you."
The crowd laughed and then Thurston said something very telling about himself and about his view of his career.
"Your Dad will always be the coolest person in your life whether you like it or not."
The show at All Tomorrow's Parties, if half as exciting as last night's, will surely be a treat. Try to get up front.
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some more pictures from the evening....
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Posted on September 18, 2008 8:08 PM
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Comments (22)
>>"Your Dad will always be the coolest person in your life whether you like it or not."
i've been touched by his music for many many years, but dang, that was a pretty endearing little statement.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 8:32 PM
Starbucks.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 8:33 PM
"Starbucks."
Don't care.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 8:46 PM
I am so sick of people giving this guy blog blow jobs.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 9:13 PM
Excellent pics! You really captured what makes him so damn cool.
Posted by B | September 18, 2008 9:22 PM
GREAT pics and article!
I was there! Had to be. Psychic Hearts is one of my favorite albums ever.
Thurston was definitely at "home"; favoring casualness over they typical "mr. moore" mystique, and still managed to put on a wicked FIERCE set.
3 song encore too... Same song 3 times!!
Posted by JP | September 18, 2008 9:36 PM
he's a super nice guy, was a major influence on me growing up, and is still making interesting and amazing music.
thurston is awesome and this post was nice to read.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 9:37 PM
oh and in 1995, my friend matt and i were massive sonic youth fans...we were 14 years old hanging out at kim's underground on bleecker when thurston walks in...we start talking to him and he gives us both 2 signed copies of psychic hearts...talk about awesome.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 9:40 PM
sounded like an incredible show. you really put me right there. and amazing pics!
Posted by ricardo | September 18, 2008 9:54 PM
When was this show? The review says Sept. 19th (which hasn't happened yet), and Chris Brokaw was opening for Shellac in Montreal tonight (18th) and Toronto on the 16th... did he travel from Toronto to Northampton and back to Montreal for this show?
looks like it was a good one! IMO, when Thurston played the MHOW last year, the encore- when he played psychic hearts songs- was easily the best part.
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 10:03 PM
I'm thirstin' for more!
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 10:34 PM
you saw him at Maxwell's? YOU ARE SO COOL OMG
Posted by Anonymous | September 18, 2008 10:36 PM
>But it was last night that Thurston came alive as a human and not just a rock star.
I love you Vegan, but this kind of cheese belongs for live journals. Ick!
Posted by puhleeze | September 18, 2008 11:37 PM
sounds like a cozy show, which really comes through in the writing, the kind of show best enjoyed with whiskey and a mini joint.
nice pics, like the one of thurston mid-uppercut.
Posted by chard-to-believe | September 19, 2008 12:11 AM
she is hot. makes me wanna go lesbo
Posted by Anonymous | September 19, 2008 12:28 AM
>Thurston came alive as a human
That 'splains it. For years, I was wondering why he had those bolts in his neck.
Posted by Anonymous | September 19, 2008 7:45 AM
he was selling vinyl copies of "Psychic Hearts" after the show for $1
Posted by Anonymous | September 19, 2008 10:54 AM
I was at the show and that line about fathers really stood out to a lot of people. It was a great show. Nice to see Thurston play a show in the valley that isn't the same guitar noise over and over.
Posted by Andrew | September 19, 2008 11:15 AM
from that pic, looks like Matt Hayner is on bass. can't tell for sure though.
Posted by Anonymous | September 19, 2008 11:44 AM
heyner like Hey! Hayner like Hay is for horses.
Posted by Anonymous | September 19, 2008 12:36 PM
he's the perfect punk rock - rock star. music is a better place for this man. to hate is to show how much of a jealous tool you truly are.
Posted by Anonymous | September 21, 2008 12:19 PM
that's some good stuff - can't wait to get back to brooklyn.
Posted by cheap hermes bags | October 16, 2009 4:04 AM