why is Kim not playing bass on the songs she sings
 

i heard it was just so she could dance around and stuff

Yeah, that's the reason

A lot of the songs are performed as double bass songs, sometimes its gtr,bass,gtr,gtr sometimes its gtr,bass,vx,gtr.

I don't wanna come off as an ass, which I may, but I don't see why it was entirely necessary to include Mark Ibold on this tour. Not to slight him, I'm a fan of Pavement, and I nearly shit myself when he made his guest appearances on STRANGERS WITH CANDY, but why do the Youth need him exactly? Is it really necessary for any of their songs to have a double-bass line? They did just fine back in the day with Thurston on bass and Lee on guitar, while Kim did her own thing.

Its a big transition for a band to go from a four piece to a five piece on the road and for a band then to go back to a four piece. Could be after Jim decided to leave, Sonic knew they had tours coming up and had grown comfortable with the 5 piece line up they decided to stay with it. (Could be they retained MI for x amount of shows/maybe its looser than that)
Mark and Jim play/played different roles as the # 5 but its stil interesting in the history of the band I think.

because my stupid call of duty 2 is not working

also I think Kim is starting to have arthritis problems with her fingers or something. the bass is a beast of an instrument.

I do beleve she has Carpel Tunnel. If you had Carpel Tunnel, (threadmaker) I don't think you'd be playing bass at all.

Haha, when they were on tour and I saw them, I didn't know who Mark Ibold was. I've felt stupid about it ever since I got into Pavement.

erm guys. kim is suffering with generative arthritis in her wrists. that is the main reason why jim ws taken on board to lessen the bass playing duties on kim. (basses are heavy!!). when jim decided to leave for filmland, they recruited friend and ex free kitten man mark the ibold in fo the same purposes. it also gives kim, and the band, a bit more freedom........

lets not slag em off for making it easier on themselves! 25 years is a long time in any job!

Actually she has chronic tendonitis. Not that it matters really...

paulybee and flophouse floozie have it right.

Kim has said that after 25 years of playing "punk rock bass" (in her words) her hands and fingers are pretty roughed up. Having Ibold play bass when kim sings frees her up to front the band and to rock aND TO DANCE AND TO GIVE sonic youth eternal life.

Long live sonic youth

SONIC LIFE!

yES I SECOND that.

Hey I'm all for watchin Kim dance about but I'd like to see her rock that bass more.