Former Sonic Youth guitarist and co-founder Thurston Moore has never been one to shy away from grand political statements. From his time in the band since the early 80s to just last year when he released “Chelsea’s Kiss” in support of transgender military prisoner Chelsea Manning, Moore seems to thrive with controversy.
He continues this political streak this year with the stand alone single “Cease Fire,” which will was released today on Caroline International. The anti-gun track comes as a response to the current climate of unchecked violence that besets many parts of the world, whether it came on the scale of war and genocide or on individual acts of senseless bloodshed.
“Guns are designed to kill and we, as non-violent human beings, are against the killing of any person or animal,” said Moore. “The song is also about the power of love, in all its freedom of choice. A power that no gun can extinguish as love will rule always. Melt down your guns and kiss your neighbor.”
The song was recorded in London late last year, with bassist Deb Googe, guitarist James Sedwards and guest drummer Jem Doulton. With its aggressively menacing guitar tone and driving tempo, the track is the perfect Sonic Youth song, and will undoubtedly please fans who might have wanted more material from the beloved alternative noise rock band.
The Thurston Moore Group — featuring the line-up of Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth, Sun Kil Moon), Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream) and James Sedwards (Nought, Chrome Hoof) — might be playing the song throughout his springtime 2017 world tour. The tour will cover locations all over North America, the UK, the rest of Europe, Asia and beyond.
Check out the new track as well as a full list of tour dates below.
Thurston Moore Tour
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03/11: Paris, France – La Maroquinerie
04/11: London, United Kingdom – Jazz Cafe
05/08: Vancouver, Canada – The Imperial
05/09: Seattle, WA – Neumos
05/10: Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
05/12: San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
05/13: Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
05/14: Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
05/17: Austin, TX – The Mohawk
05/18: Dallas, TX – Club Dada
05/20: Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/27: London, United Kingdom – Roundhouse
05/12: Glasgow, United Kingdom – St. Lukes
05/13: Manchester, United Kingdom – Gorilla
06/14: Bristol, United Kingdom – The Lantern
06/15: London, United Kingdom – Scala
06/17: Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands – Best Kept Secret Festival
06/20: Hamburg, Germany – Knust
06/21: Koln, Germany – Stadtgarten
06/26: Lille, France – Aeronef
06/27: Nancy, France – L’Autre Canal
06/28: Zurich, Switzerland – Bogen F
07/01: Strasbourg, France – La Laiterie
07/04: Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
07/05: Warsaw, Poland – Proxima
07/07: Trenčín, Slovakia – Pohoda Festival