Teenage Jesus Reincarnated?

Here's one I really didn't see coming. Evidently, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks -- the notorious No Wave combo fronted by equally lovely and lethal Lydia Lunch -- are actually reforming for a pair of gigs at the Knitting Factory in June. The shows are being held to celebrate the release of a new tome on the No Wave era by Thurston Moore and Byron Coley, although you should all go check out Marc Masters' own book on No Wave that recently hit shelves. It's great -- go fetch.

I can't help thinking that the whole notion of any of the No Wave bands getting back together for what is essentially a nostalgia trip flies squarely in the face of that whole scene's scorched earth aesthetic, but what the hell do I know? When those bands were destroying people's ear drums in 1978, I was in fifth grade, obsessing over Kiss and attempting to perfect the ultimate Darth Vader vocal impersonation.

In other NYC Punk news, I'm happy to report that the strenuously lamentable CBGB "gift shop" (really, what else would you call it?) on St. Mark's Place is closing. And fuckin' Amen to that.

You can read more of my needlessly wordy opinions on Lydia Lunch here, and No Wave here.

Comments

[Erik]

Alex -

I'd love to hear a bit more about Marc Master's book. I'm not the biggest No Wave fan (more ignorant than anything else) but I'm a fan of Marc's writing. Is it worth picking up for that alone?

[Alex in NYC]

I certainly liked it. Authoritative books on the subject of No Wave are incredibly few and far between (I'm quite curious to read Thurston's book), so I'm quick to snap up every one I find. In that respect, it's invaluable in its attention to detail. I highly recommend it.

[Erik]

Thanks for the info Alex. I'll have to put it on the ever-growing list of things to get when I have the chance.

[christians]

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