The first time I witnessed our friend, The Shark, in action, Big Black was providing the live soundtrack in a loft somewhere west-Loopish (was it on Lake?- what year was it? My memory flags after so many years). Could you imagine anything more menacing? Albini, slinging his guitar from a guitar strap on his hip, scraping chords like rusted steel and The Shark, fin barely visible, weaving through the crowd. Back then you could be assured that you would see the same people at any underground event; and I’m not sure if Corey Rusk was there, but the attitude was what Touch and Go records has created for at least a couple generations of musicians, filmmakers, and artists.
If you want to create and have fun doing it, make it happen on your own-don’t trust the suits (or satin jackets). Don’t let money influence how or why it’s happening. Touch and Go is celebrating an anniversary this weekend, and to count how many people the label has influenced worldwide would be an exhausting task.
I’m no expert on the label itself, although I’ve known many band members and employees over the years (I’ve witnessed Yow’s blooming rose at close range more than any fan deserves), so I’m not going to try to spew any history; the papers have done a nice job of that. But I will say that the business model that the label has run and the spirit in which it has operated since its inception is the biggest reason Chicago’s music scene and collection of bands is what it is- world class. Bettina at Thrill Jockey and Dan at Drag City run their houses on the same premise that the bands are full partners, not to mention people that you would go to dinner with or hang out with for some beers. No one loses. You can imagine how many times bands on these Chicago labels have been wooed by the majors. The short term gains may have been sweet, but in the long run it could never pay off.
So hats off to you Corey Rusk and the bands that have faithfully made lives (not just livings) together with you at Touch and Go. I’m not sure what the next 25 years will bring, but I know it’s going to rock.
Here is a short list of songs that stick in my craw:
Didjits- “Plate in My Head”
Shellac- “Doris Wingwalker”
Big Black- “He’s a Whore”
Slint- “Good Morning Captain”
The Jesus Lizard- “Bloody Mary”
Killdozer- “Lupus”
Mekons- You name it
Wow- what a roster!
…and that Barclords song by those movie guys
I’m no expert on the label itself, although I’ve known many band members and employees over the years (I’ve witnessed Yow’s blooming rose at close range more than any fan deserves), so I’m not going to try to spew any history; the papers have done a nice job of that. But I will say that the business model that the label has run and the spirit in which it has operated since its inception is the biggest reason Chicago’s music scene and collection of bands is what it is- world class. Bettina at Thrill Jockey and Dan at Drag City run their houses on the same premise that the bands are full partners, not to mention people that you would go to dinner with or hang out with for some beers. No one loses. You can imagine how many times bands on these Chicago labels have been wooed by the majors. The short term gains may have been sweet, but in the long run it could never pay off.
So hats off to you Corey Rusk and the bands that have faithfully made lives (not just livings) together with you at Touch and Go. I’m not sure what the next 25 years will bring, but I know it’s going to rock.
Here is a short list of songs that stick in my craw:
Didjits- “Plate in My Head”
Shellac- “Doris Wingwalker”
Big Black- “He’s a Whore”
Slint- “Good Morning Captain”
The Jesus Lizard- “Bloody Mary”
Killdozer- “Lupus”
Mekons- You name it
Wow- what a roster!
…and that Barclords song by those movie guys
It was at Peter Miller's original gallery space at 356 W. Huron St - Friday Jan 6, 1984 the show, Big City, was put together by Matt Straub and included along with Matt, Kip Fitzgerald and, The Shark.....music was provided by The Stockholmoes and, Big Black; performance/poetry was by Debbie Pintonelli, Jackie Disler, Marko De Oreo and Ben Jaffe.....in many ways, this show marked the begining of the 80's heydays here in Chicago-
Hey, I remember that! I was in a group show nearby somewhere --- Desson maybe or whatever. Whatever happened to Kip and Straub?