Sonic Youth’s Gordan & Moore Split

Written for The Print (NUI Maynooth's student paper) for the 15th of November 2011 issue

            After 27 years of marriage and an incredible 30 years together as part of the music industry, Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth announced last month that they have separated. The news was revealed on the 14^th of September by means of a press release from the bands label Matador Records. The statement requested the ex-couples personal privacy, stating that they “do not wish to issue further comment”. With full involvement from both Moore and Gordon, the band will be going ahead with its South American tour for November, though it has also been said by Matador that plans beyond this are “uncertain”, leaving us to ask the question, is there a future for Sonic Youth?

            With 17 studio albums, 8 EPs and constant touring in the last 30 years, the “No-Wave” noise rock group have created a huge splash in the music scene, taking punk, post-punk and grunge to never-before-seen territory throughout their career. Beginning their career in 1981 with their self-titled debut record, Sonic Youth have influenced many bands to come after them, including The Afghan Whigs and The White Stripes. Their sound is defined by unusual guitar tunings, piercing feedback and the distinctive back-and-forth vocals of both Gordon and Moore, singing with the anti-melodic style synonymous with their punk influences. Sonic Youth were a massive part of the alternative scene in the 80’s/90’s. So much so that their 1988 album Daydream Nation is so well regarded and considered culturally important that it is one of the few rock albums to be inducted into the USA’s Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

            In a live setting, Gordon and Moore are known for their onstage sexual chemistry and intensity, both between each other and also the audience. The song writing partnership has always been very strong and the couple’s connection seemed concrete within their work and personal lives, though this never overshadowed Lee Ronaldo or Steve Shelley as vital parts of Sonic Youth. In her 2001 book about being part of the band, Kim Gordon wrote that when she met Moore it was “love at first sight”. The two have never been shy of praising each other to the media in interviews. It was always apparent that respect and admiration was a big part of their relationship. Moore, in the past, has described his wife as “the coolest fucking person I’ve ever met”. In 1994, Gordon gave birth to a baby girl, Coco Hayley Gordon Moore, 17 years before the break-up. With all of this in mind, it is incredibly sad news that the couple have parted ways. Not only is it a terrible shame for Gordon and Moore themselves, not forgetting their daughter Coco, but the dwindling questionable future of the band will leave many fans in worried suspense until word of what’s to come is sent ‘cross the breeze.

Thurston Moore will be playing The Button Factory without Sonic Youth to back him on the 27^th of November. The last scheduled gig for Sonic Youth as a band shall be taking place on the 14^th of November – the future for the band from then on is uncertain. 

http://issuu.com/MSUVPSEC/docs/the_print_volume_3_issue_4/15