This Is the Sonics

This Is the Sonics

• music

The Sonics finally ended their four-decade hiatus in November 2007, with a pair of rapturously received shows in New York. Although the band had intended those shows to be a one-time-only event, word of the performances quickly circulated amongst Sonics fans, resulting in performance offers from around the world, and turning the temporary reunion into a permanent one. Since then, The Sonics have performed for rabid crowds across the United States as well as England, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Norway. Having reconquered the live stage and built a new, multi-generational fan base, the reactivated Sonics have set their sights back on the recording medium, enlisting noted producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs) to record "This Is The Sonics" -the Sonics' first album of new material in nearly half a century-at Diamond's Detroit studio Ghetto Recorders. The 12-song set finds The Sonics channeling their original savage, primal essence on such new originals as "Chaos," "Sugaree," "Bad Betty" and "I Got Your Number," while continuing their tradition of audacious cover material with raucous reworkings of Ray Charles' "I Don't Need No Doctor," Bo Diddley's "You Can't Judge A Book by the Cover," the Kinks' "The Hard Way," Hank Ballard's "Look At Little Sister" and the rousing Motown nugget "Leaving Here."