Whitehouse now and Whitehouse in NYC 1983
This is one of those nights that makes me just LOVE music and New York. This would be my first live experience of William Bennet’s Whitehouse. I heard that it was the 2nd time they were playing in the states in over 10 years. Thurston Moore opened up with 3 others on stage, all with their backs turned taunting their amps with their instruments. I was inches away from the speaker and it took a few songs for the sound to consume me. Just as I was getting into it, Thurston ends the 28 minute song. Oh well.
Soon Whitehouse would take the stage and I had NO IDEA what to expect. The lights went out and these 2 mysterious men took the stage with their suitcases. Thurston Moore was standing next to me awaiting for the onslaught that was to occur. Their machines came alive and they started abusing the lively crowd with their sermons. It was great to see so many people show up for a noise concert in the wee hours of the morning at a tiny club in the LES. The music was absolutely powerful and much better live than on disk. The sounds were so interesting and overwhelming. By the end of the show people were not singing but screaming along to the songs. It was an incredible show and I left the venue with my ears bleeding and they rang for the rest of the week. Words can’t describe the show, but here are some pictures.