Tuesday October 16, 2001

Steve Shelley, drummer for seminal noise-rock band Sonic Youth, will play with two artists from his record label, Smells Like Records, tomorrow night at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress Street.

Chris Lee and Christina Rosenvinge, both who have recently released albums on Shelley's label, are on their first West Coast tours. Shelley, who plays drums on both their records, also produced Lee's album, Plays & Sings Torch'd Songs, Charivari Hymns & Oriki Blue-Marches.

"It was a really satisfying record; we really took our time," Shelley said. "We sort of did it after-hours in Sonic Youth studio, which was a really satisfying way to record. The songs are really there. I like what happens with song structure. It's something Chris is really great at."

Shelley often plays on his label's artists' recordings.

"If someone doesn't have a drummer, or wants me to play, I'm happy to be involved," Shelley said.

Rosenvinge, who is originally from Spain, has also had Shelley play on some of her albums. She is currently focusing on promoting Frozen Pool, her first domestically released album.

"She had a music career in Spain - she released a lot of records there. Some of them were quite popular," Shelley said. "Her music started to change in a way. It got a little more personal, a little more akin to things that go on in indie rock."

Creative writing junior Taylor Briere said she feels lucky to see the artists from Shelley's label.

"There are few bands I respect more than Sonic Youth, both for their own music and their willingness to support other artists," Briere said. "Anything Steve Shelley has his hand in is likely to be quality."

Shelley, who takes the stage with Lee and Rosenvinge at 9 p.m., has been in Tucson before with Sonic Youth and Two Dollar Guitar.

"With the people I know, we generally think Tucson is cooler than Phoenix. I had been to Club Congress before, but I had never played music there," Shelley said. "So when we got the opportunity to play there I wanted to jump at it."

Other acts on Smells Like Records have also played in Tucson. From the dirty garage rock of The Rondelles to the quiet minimal pop of Cat Power, these varied artists fit Shelley's vision for Smells Like Records.

"The label reflects a lot of my taste. There's too much stuff out there," Shelley said. "There has to be something of value in what they're doing, whether it's pure fun or spontaneity or emotion. It just has to be something that appeals to my taste. It's a very personal business."

While this tour remains on schedule, Shelley and Sonic Youth had to change some of their plans due to the Sept. 11 attacks. Sonic Youth Studio is just three blocks away from the World Trade Center.

"We had a little electrical damage, but other than that, (Sonic Youth Studio) seems to be faring well," said Shelley. "Overall, we're lucky it's still there."

Soren Hanson, a creative writing senior, is also looking forward to tomorrow's show, and is pleased that the events of last month did not postpone this tour or Sonic Youth's next album.

"Sonic Youth was a pivotal band in weaning me from the golden oldies of my youth," Hanson said. "'Swimsuit Issue' was on the first mix-tape I ever made. God bless Sonic Youth, and God bless America."