Sonics Rendezvous - City Slang

  by Geraint Jones

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Review

Whilst Sonic's Rendezvous, a.k.a. Sonic's Rendezvous Band, included amongst their number, former members of two of the most influential bands to have emerged from the U.S.A, specifically Detroit, in the late 1960s, they are sadly not remembered by many people today. Formed in 1977 and lasting just three short years, the band, founded by legendary MC5 guitarist Fred 'Sonic' Smith, were augmented by guitarist Scott Morgan, bass player Gary Rasmussen and former Stooges drummer Scott 'Rock Action' Asheton. Fred Smith principally handled vocal responsibilities, whilst Scott Morgan sang lead on the tracks he wrote himself. The band took as its template the hard rock sound of Smith's former band MC5, but decided to shy away from the controversial political stance taken by his previous outfit in the late 60s. MC5 had actively advocated a policy of political confrontation and revolution following the lead of their then manager, White Panther Party leader John Sinclair, at a time when most of their peers were espousing the politics of peace and love. The main reason that there is not a greater awareness of the band today is probably due to the fact that its recorded legacy (until now) consisted of just one single, the incendiary classic 'City Slang' from which the most recent of the compilations we are discussing takes its name. It was released in just two short pressings on 7" only, one side stereo, and the other mono, on the small independent label Orchide Records. Selling out quickly, it is today rightly regarded as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll songs ever recorded, its scarcity adding to its status. Cult journalist and cartoonist Edwin Pouncey (a.k.a. Savage Pencil) grasped its appeal when he described 'City Slang' as, "An urban rocker that comes down like a falling asteroid and explodes like a star being born". And yes it's also the song from which the respected German indie label City Slang got its name. Swedish disciples The Hellacopters also covered the track impressively last year on the vinyl pressing of their 'Payin' The Dues' album. The album 'City Slang' including as it does not one, but two versions of the classic title track immediately classifies it as an essential purchase. Whilst it's interesting to hear the remixed 1999 version which kicks off the album at which point new initiates to the track may already think they've reached rock guitar heaven, it's the original, albeit slightly muddy mix, which really gets the adrenalin pumping. Just make sure you turn it up to eleven to enjoy it to its full potential. The rest of the album is comprised of a variety of live performances, recorded during 1978 and 1979, and whilst there are some great moments to be found, including an electrifying version of Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen', which has a great 'Sonic' Smith intro, the multiple live sources used do result in the album suffering a little overall from lack of cohesion and inconsistency of recording quality. In contrast 'Sweet Nothing' which is entirely live was all recorded at the same gig, at the Second Chance, Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 4th 1978. The recording quality throughout is impeccable and truly captures the band at the height of its powers. This is what high-energy rock 'n' roll is all about - no frills, no filler, guitars turned up to maximum. Music with so much energy it's a wonder anything has been invented to capture it's intensity and power. Splitting the atom must have been an easier task. And it even includes a fabulous extended live take of 'City Slang' which scorches for a mind-blowing eight minutes plus. 'Sweet Nothing' really is a fabulous album and deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Smith's previous critical highpoint, the seminal MC5 live album 'Kick Out The Jams'. It's definitely the pick of the pair, but to be honest you probably should have both. After the band's split in 1980 Fred 'Sonic' Smith went on to marry New York punk icon Patti Smith, with whom he continued to work up until his premature death in 1994. The band's energy and attitude, in addition to its obvious talents, deserve to be more widely recognised and hopefully these excellent aural documents will serve that purpose and provide a fitting epitaph for both the band and it's leader. Note. Scott Morgan recently teamed up with Nick Royale (The Hellacopters) amongst others to form the part-time outfit the Hydromatics, who recently released their debut album 'Parts Unknown' on White Jazz Records. The album, which includes several Sonic's Rendezvous songs is also well worth seeking out.

Track Listing:-

1 City Slang (1999)
2 So Sincerely Yours
3 Step By Step
4 Clock With No Hands
5 Heaven
6 Goin Bye
7 You're So Great
8 Earthy
9 Thrill
10 Detroit Tango
11 Gone With The Dogs
12 Sweet Little Sixteen
13 City Slang (1978)