Though legendary noise rockers Sonic Youth have been finished since 2011, they’ve been consistently releasing archival material through Bandcamp. Two special releases, available Friday, feature shows from the band’s Washing Machine and Rather Ripped tours that benefit good causes: Fund Texas Choice and the Abortion Support Network, two organizations that have been fighting the state’s ban on abortion. “The enduring support from Lone Star state fans for SY warrants a favour returned specifically for this state’s fanbase,” the band said in a statement, “and in broader scope, Sonic Youth support a national and world community where abortion is embraced as health care and a human right.”
Lastly today, dropping on the much celebrated ‘Bandcamp Friday’, Sonic Youth have made two previously unreleased live albums available for $10 each. The albums, which are both absolutely killer, were recorded in Austin and Dallas in 1995 and 2006 respectively and are available on the S.Y. Bandcamp page. All proceeds go to Fund Texas Choice and the Abortion Support Network.
Sonic Youth Release Two Vintage Texas Concerts
In response to alarming restrictive legislative measures against the women of Texas (and increasingly elsewhere) seminal NYC leading musical lights Sonic Youth have announced plans for new releases on their Bandcamp and store to fundraise for Fund Texas Choice (fundtexaschoice.org) and the Abortion Support Network (www.asn.org.uk) on Friday, November 5th.
On that day, the band makes two vintage live sets available in full, from the Austin Music Hall, Austin, Texas from 1995 (on the post-Lollapallooza ‘Washing Machine’ tour), as well as a gig in Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room (‘Rather Ripped’ tour) in 2006. These classic, previously unreleased shows go up for stream and download on November 5th, with 100% of their proceeds to support the two causes.
Also, three new Sonic t-shirt designs will be made available: two from Texan photographer/friend of the band/author of the recent ‘Texas Is the Reason’ book Pat Blashill , and a third tee featuring a variation of Richard Prince’s “Dude Ranch Nurse” artwork. The first Blashill tee features a photo from their Austin/Continental Club ’85 gig, the second features pro-femme lyrics from their song “Flower” coupled with various photos of assorted women from the 80’s Texan punk scene. Proceeds of both of these will benefit the causes as well
In its posthumous state, Sonic Youth have dedicated great energy in making previously unreleased sounds available to their fanbase. Historically, their trailblazing cross-country tours of back to the mid 80’s consolidated their independent/artistic stance with many formative Texan bands and artists, including the likes of the Butthole Surfers, Big Boys, Daniel Johnston, and Meat Joy. The enduring support from Lone Star state fans for SY warrants a favour returned specifically for this state’s fanbase, and in broader scope, Sonic Youth support a national and world community where abortion is embraced as health care and a human right.
Released November 5th, 2021
“In times like these it feels good to be able to take some action instead of being totally frustrated by the system” – Kim Gordon.
The Fat Angel Sings 