Sonic Youth Opens

I saw Sonic Youth open for another band.

Of course, it was long after they had established themselves as a top, mid-range draw. They had already headlined Lollapalooza. And they opened for Wilco who shared Jim O'Rourke.

Sonic Youth blew Wilco off the stage that summer night in Cleveland.

The Best Wilco Show I Saw

Wilco has generally disappointed me with their live show. They're a much better album band for me. They always seemed sort of stiff and unnatural.

However, they were great one night. I saw them play an outdoor show in Columbia, MO during my first fall in town. It was a place some of the band members used to come in their youth to see shows.

Actually, Uncle Tupelo used to play the Blue Note a lot.

Speaking of Uncle Tupelo, I saw Son Volt reunite at the Blue Note later that same fall.

Back to Wilco...Many family members were there for the show. Either the familiarity with the town or the fact so much family was there allowed the band to be at ease and loose. It was a great show.

Nels Cline

I am not a gigantic Nels Cline fan, but he has always impressed me when I've seen him live.

I first saw him play with Mike Watt at Stache's. That was a pretty awesome set. I was maybe three feet away from Cline's incredible performance.

I also saw him play with the Geraldine Fibbers and Porno for Pyros (with Mike Watt on bass).

The last couple of times I've seen him were with Wilco, a pairing which never made sense to me, but it worked.