Kim Gordon @ Neumos

Wednesday, Sep 14 • 7 pm

A crucial component of Sonic Youth, one of the world’s greatest rock groups for 30 years, bassist/guitarist/vocalist Kim Gordon has secured a lofty spot in the underground pantheon. Her foreboding, deadpan singing style, staunchly feminist lyrics, and intriguing song structures powered Sonic Youth classics such as “Halloween,” “Shadow Of A Doubt,” “Pacific Coast Highway,” and “Making The Nature Scene.” 

After Sonic Youth dissolved in 2011 following a bitter split between Gordon and husband/SY bandmate Thurston Moore, Gordon has kept busy by writing a well-received memoir, Girl In A Band, forming the exacting noise-rock group Body/Head with Bill Nace, engaging in free-form, angsty space-outs with guitarist Loren Connors on 2021’s At Issue, releasing her 2019 debut solo LP No Home Record, and a Sub Pop single with Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis, among other things.

Our best guess is that Gordon’s Neumos set will focus on No Home Record, which came out a few months before the 2020 lockdown. Those expecting Sonic Youth rehashes will be shocked to hear that Gordon’s gone in abrasive hip-hop, dub, and techno directions, but without sacrificing hooks. Kim Gordon is still finding fruitful artistic reinvention.