Review: Thurston Moore
Getting to review Thurston Moore in Portsmouth is one thing, seeing him twice during the same evening? That’s something else! However, with performances both in-store at Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl and a couple of hours later at the Wedgewood Rooms, I’m surprised my hearing has survived the onslaught.
Thurston Moore – Portsmouth Review
Having become an integral part of the New York alternative scene during the ’80s and ’90s with the legendary Sonic Youth, Thurston Moore has since relocated to London. As such, the logistics of being able to tour the UK and the proximity to mainland Europe, has given him even more opportunities to explore his more experimental side.
Thurston Moore – Pie & Vinyl
Thurston Moore – Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl
In celebration of the Thurston Moore Group’s latest release, the epic “Spirit Counsel”, Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl brought out a limited edition crab pie in the man’s honour. Introducing the rather lovely Thurston Claw, to accompany a very special performance.
It was soon to be probably the loudest in-store to date, with Thurston Moore performing solo to the intimate crowd. Following a discussion of his new found fondness of the shop, Thurston went on to perform a single-track from the new release. In which he claimed would be a shortened version, for one night only renamed “Stick Your Brexit Up Your Arse Mr BJ”.
Although, just like on record, the short version still lasted 30-minutes and was incredibly mesmerizing. While to some it may come across as a barrage of noise, the piece dived and weaved its way through a musical journey.
At times a chaotic and intense build-up, others merely using the endless looping of feedback to full advantage. The mid-section had the occasional blues lick before Thurston Moore shredded his way to the finish line. “So that’s that” exclaimed the Sonic Youth axeman, before setting about meeting the fans.
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Thurston Moore Group – Review
The Thurston Moore Group – the Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Support came from percussion led duo Rattles. The two-piece sat behind their drumkits facing each other, sharing cymbals and controlling a pulse with minimal added effects. There were occasional vocals, giving it an almost Siouxsie Sioux/the Creatures feel. After a while, it may have lost the audience slightly, but from an artistic perspective, it was very clever drumming at least.
Upon introducing the Thurston Moore Group at the Wedgewood Rooms, Thurston went on to explain they’d be playing single a composition in its entirety. It would be the piece “Alice Moki Jayne” from the “Spirit Counsel” album, lasting well-over an hour.
This then left everything focussed on the music, with Thurston Moore conducting his band as much as playing alongside them. Guitarist James Sedwards, bassist Debbie Googe (My Bloody Valentine/Primal Scream) and drummer Jem Doulton, accompanied by Jon Leidecker on electronics.
While Moore and Sedwards played their 12-string guitars, it was the electronics that added the alternative dimension. Just like the one-man Pie & Vinyl piece earlier, “Alice Moki Jayne” had the Thurston Moore Group at the Wedgewood Rooms dipping in and out of its various sections.
All of which culminated in a track that went from its minimal intro all the way through to an immense crescendo. There was a slight hint of the band coming back on after, but to be honest, anything else and the impact of the whole piece would have been lost. This wasn’t your average gig by any means, but it was certainly memorable for all the right reasons.
