Is Sonic Youth a "Jam" Band or Not?

[Khephra]

Poll question: Is Sonic Youth a "Jam" Band or Not?

[darkstar]

1. Yep.

But then I always argue that the Velvet Underground was a jam band too....

[Khephra]

2. I think they are, but they're in a class of their own

Punk Jam, maybe? I know their music style is called no-wave, but they play on and on in an inprovasational style just like Jam bands do.

[Beware the Beast Man]

3. I'm inclined to say so

Turns out Lee Ranaldo is a Deadhead. I remember him eulogizing Jerry Garcia in Rolling Stone back in 95, so I can see where they might be inspired by that sort of thing.

[CharlesGroce]

4. Thurston Moore jams just fine...

Caught them at Lollapolooza several years ago, perhaps many years ago, and they jammed so much it made my head hurt, and I was playing bass for a progressive band at the time!

I must say the critic in me always like Sonic Youth, but my ear just can't stand to listen to them.

[Khephra]

5. I used to hate them...until I heard them under the influence of NO2

And then they just "clicked" for me. Ever since then I've been able to dance to SY more skillfully than any other band. I finally "got" their pattern.

Same thing happened with me an Zep. I used to hate LZ with a passion until I finally heard a few of their cds with headphones on in the dark...while on some serious acid.

Sometimes the praise of peers drive you from great artists and it takes that special something to see things as being new again. :shrug:

[cedahlia]

6. In their own unique way...

I'd say, yes.

Since you brought them up, I'd just like to say that Lee Renaldo is GOD and Sonic Youth fuckin' rocks! :evilgrin:

[Khephra]

7. Well, I feel better now!

Every liberal should like at least one Jam band...and I hate both Phish and the Dead. I guess I'm safe.

I also wonder about Primus's status as per Jam.

[aquaman]

8. I have never thought of them as a "jam" band.

I guess I could see how one may classify them as such. However, I think it is difficult to classify Sonic Youth in any one genre. They are an amazing band that I have been obsessed with for the last 16 years.

[Robb]

9. "Crackin' jokes like a Thurston Moore...!"

:D

I never thought of it that way. I'm going with yes, because it will also allow me to have a jam band I like.