While Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore get much of the attention in Sonic Youth, many longtime fans see guitarist/third singer Lee Ranaldo as the band’s secret weapon — and since today is Ranaldo’s birthday (he turns 55), we thought we’d honor SY’s least-known voice with one of his best-loved songs. This is a live performance of Goo standout “Mote,” filmed at a large outdoor show or festival sometime, presumably, in the early-to-mid 2000s, judging by the appearance of the now-departed Jim O’Rourke on stage. Check it out above.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Video: Watch Sonic Youth’s full ‘Austin City Limits’ performance
- Sonic Youth’s ‘SYR9: Simon Werner a Disparu’ soundtrack set for release Jan. 25
- Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore enlists Beck to produce solo album ‘Benediction’
- Sonic Youth preps vinyl reissues, 1985 live album, SYR9 release
- Video: Sonic Youth plays ‘Expressway to Yr. Skull’ in New York’s Prospect Park
