Sonic's Rendezvous Band - Second Chance, Ann Arbor, 4 October 1978

I realize that this is the third or fourth live recording that I've posted in a row, but there isn't much else to work with when it comes to Sonic's Rendezvous Band. During their five year existence, the band managed to record and release a lone 45, and conflict within the group limited that release to only one song, their signature tune (and a goddamn barn-burner if I've ever heard one) 'City Slang' in mono on one side and in stereo on the other. Thankfully several of their live shows have seen bootleg releases over the last 30 years and a few have even been released officially.

Sonic's Rendezvous Band was made up of Detroit scene veterans Scott Morgan, of The Rationals, on guitar, The Up's Gary Rasmussen on bass, former Stooges timekeeper Scott Asheton and the group's namesake, the late Fred 'Sonic' Smith, who cut his teeth as half of the MC5's monumental twin guitar attack. Smith and Morgan shared songwriting and singing duties. The fact that they rarely played outside of the Detroit area combined with a lack of recorded output and (half of) the band's undeniably legendary pedigree give the SRB the rare distinction of being a 'nearly forgotten supergroup.' I-94 Bar has an extensive history of the band with several first hand accounts from the surviving members and friends, including Deniz Tek, who is credited with taking the Detroit sound 'down under' as a founding member of Sydney's Radio Birdman.

The show featured here is actually disc 4 of Easy Action's SRB 6 disc set that was released in 2006. It is easily my favorite disc of the six, although it is an incomplete set. I'm pretty sure that a 2cd version of the entire show exists, but I haven't had any luck finding it. That small complaint aside, this recording is a defining example of a Rock and Roll band that REALLY has their shit together. I know that's a lame description, but big college words won't do this shit any justice-- just turn it up, push play and have a fucking great time!