Orange County shreds!

That's what Thurston Moore says on Sonic Youth's "Dirty Boots" EP, which features a couple live songs that were recorded at UC Irvine. I missed that particular show, but saw the band come through Socal a few times on that tour. I caught gigs at the Hollywood Palladium with Nirvana and the Whisky with Superchunk. Then I drove down to see them in Tijuana with Mudhoney. Wait, didn't Dinosaur Jr. open for them sometime, too?



At the time, the band was already well known for instilling punk with art, both in terms of musical arrangement and visual style. With a fat budget from Geffen, they started hooking up some of their favorite artists–Raymond Pettibon and Mike Kelley, for starters. Sonic Youth was responsible for making me a little more interested in art, and I think a lot of people my age feel the same way.



So it makes sense that in a few weekends, Sonic Youth will be playing the opening reception of the 2006 California Biennial at Newport Beach's Orange County Museum of Art. This museum, too, has been doing a lot to changing people's opinions on art. By booking shows with the likes of Yoshitomo Nara, John Waters, and Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as a stop by the Beautiful Losers touring exhibit, the museum has proven that all art isn't stuffy and dead. It can be relevant, exciting, and inspiring.


This morning I tried to buy into a $60 package including membership and two free passes to the Biennial's opening night with Sonic Youth, but was too late. That deal sold out. But buying $30 tickets to support the arts, see an important band, and check out new works by local, up-and-coming artists is not a bad deal at all. Maybe I'll see you there...