A new documentary on The Sonics sheds some light—but not quite enough of it—on Tacoma’s favorite sons. Better still, it reignites memories of my own brief but unforgettable meeting with the band.
I’ve been obsessed with The Sonics since I was a teen & a Boston hardcore band called Psycho* sent their eponymous debut EP to my college station. It kicked off with a sloppy but compelling cover of, you guessed it, “Psycho”. I quickly clocked it was a cover. Somehow in pre-internet 1983 I tracked it back to its source. I was immediately smitten with my new found secret band.
As a onetime, sometime bass player of zero renown I would’ve soiled my boxers at the mere thought of sitting in with The Sonics playing triangle. Being asked to replicate Roslie’s inimitable howl? Forget it. Was fortunate to see them maybe 15 years ago in Brooklyn with The Flamin’ Groovies. Even at that late stage for both bands, it was the one of the greatest double bills I’ve seen in thousands of shows.
Finally, at the risk of overstaying my comment welcome, I read old interviews in which Roslie expressed embarrassment re: “He’s Waitin’”. That it didn’t go over live in the early days is no surprise. I’m guessing their core audience could either get off or shrug off “Strychnine” & “The Witch”. But invoking Satan back then would have been one step too far.
*Psycho was GG Allín’s backing band for a spell. Natch.
Oh FASCINATING! Pyscho—the band—gets zero points for originality, but serious cred for commitment! And yeah, my voice is about as good as David Byrnes’ on a very off day, but The Sonics loved my bass playing (and vintage rig) and that’s something I’ll take to my grave!….
Have love will travel.
It does make the journey smoother.
I’ve been obsessed with The Sonics since I was a teen & a Boston hardcore band called Psycho* sent their eponymous debut EP to my college station. It kicked off with a sloppy but compelling cover of, you guessed it, “Psycho”. I quickly clocked it was a cover. Somehow in pre-internet 1983 I tracked it back to its source. I was immediately smitten with my new found secret band.
As a onetime, sometime bass player of zero renown I would’ve soiled my boxers at the mere thought of sitting in with The Sonics playing triangle. Being asked to replicate Roslie’s inimitable howl? Forget it. Was fortunate to see them maybe 15 years ago in Brooklyn with The Flamin’ Groovies. Even at that late stage for both bands, it was the one of the greatest double bills I’ve seen in thousands of shows.
Finally, at the risk of overstaying my comment welcome, I read old interviews in which Roslie expressed embarrassment re: “He’s Waitin’”. That it didn’t go over live in the early days is no surprise. I’m guessing their core audience could either get off or shrug off “Strychnine” & “The Witch”. But invoking Satan back then would have been one step too far.
*Psycho was GG Allín’s backing band for a spell. Natch.
Oh FASCINATING! Pyscho—the band—gets zero points for originality, but serious cred for commitment! And yeah, my voice is about as good as David Byrnes’ on a very off day, but The Sonics loved my bass playing (and vintage rig) and that’s something I’ll take to my grave!….
That’s a very heavy and high compliment, Seth. Well done.
Great story! Truly iconic PNW band — so much influence it’s practically impossible to overstate it
Ah, appreciate that Paul!