JIM O'ROURKE

Though he began collaborating with Sonic Youth in late 1997 for the improvised SYR3 disc, and later played an integral role in the recording of the SYR4 release, it wasn't until the "nyc ghosts & flowers" sessions in summer 1999 that Jim began to truly become a part of Sonic Youth. He originally served as producer/sound manipulator, contributing bass to several tracks on the album in addition to some electronics, but by the 2000 tour he was a full-fledged touring member of the band and as of late 2001 he was participating in the composition process. Jim's addition to the band provides a definite enhancement to their sound, supplying bass when Kim plays guitar and vice versa. He also utilized an EMS synth onstage, to control samples of Kim's vocals for the backdrop of "side2side" on his powerbook. Over the next few years he continued to help push SY to create some of the most exploratory, compelling music of their career. Jim left SY after the Nurse tour, but his contributions to the band and the many live shows he played over the 5+ years are noteworthy enough to leave this section intact (especially considering how many long-buried guitars Jim pulled from SY's stash).

I'm not sure what his gear was in 2003-2005, whether it changed significantly from 2002 (probably a bit) -- his guitar usage is covered throughout the site, however.

GUITARS

  • View all of Jim's guitars/basses

    AMPS

    2000

  • Fender Twin Reverb

    2001

  • Fender Twin Reverb

    2002

  • Mesa/Boogie Mark III w/ cab ...for guitar
  • Acoustic Model 406 Transducer cab (2) ...for bass
  • WITH: ETA Illuminator
  • Fender Twin Reverb (used for ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES -- band didn't want to bring their full amp rigs across the country for one gig)  

    Here are photographs of Jim's entire amp rig I took before soundcheck at the August 30th, 2002 Murray Street tour show in Portland, Oregon at the Crystal Ballroom (some are fairly large so you may want to open them in a new window):

  • Mesa/Boogie Mark III w/ cab
  • Acoustic head w/ 2 cabs & ETA Rack Illuminator

    EFFECTS

    2000-2001

  • ???

    2002

  • Moogerfooger Analog Delay w/ expression pedal
  • Mu-Tron Wah-Vol
  • Boss OC-2 Octave
  • Pro Co Rat
  • Boss GE-7 Equalizer
  • Maxon OD-9 Overdrive
  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
  • Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
  • WITH footswitches for A/B + DIST. + REV + TREM  

    Here are photographs of Jim's entire effects rig I took before soundcheck at the August 30th, 2002 Murray Street tour show in Portland, Oregon at the Crystal Ballroom (some are fairly large so you may want to open them in a new window):

  • Moogerfooger Delay, Mutron Wah/Vol, Moogerfooger expression pedal
  • Boss Octave, ProCo Rat, Boss Equalizer
  • Maxon Overdrive, E-H Big Muff, E-H Small Stone
  • A/B box for bass/guitar amps, footswitches for amp A/B, Distortion, Reverb, Tremolo

    OTHER

  • EMS Synthi -- perched on a stand onstage, used on songs like "Burning Spear" "Lightnin" "Sunday" and improvised sections of various songs.

  • Powerbook -- laptop used onstage to control samples of Kim's backing vocals on "side2side", also used by Steve to emulate a Groovebox.

  • Handheld Microphone -- during the outro of "Karenology" Jim runs a small handheld microphonic device thru his effects and holds it up to his amplifier.
     

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