Sonny Vincent of iconic N.Y.C. punks Testors told us about his Hendrix love...
Sonny Vincent: I would definitely choose Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced and his entire artistic output. The reason being that Hendrix's music contained a spiritual element that I couldn't find anywhere else.
In addition to the basic core of soulful spirituality Jimi's music had all the elements a kid like myself needed. There was a clear unapologetic expression of sexuality, a deep soulfulness, a world weary questioning of life itself and a quest for joy.
I realize some people found some sort of solace and answers within conventional religion, Eastern religions/ philosophies, as well as esoteric beliefs and practices. For me that all required a certain amount of conformity. Hendrix was beautiful, direct and extremely visceral, in real time.
The 'container'/ the vehicle, he used for his expression was his sound. A sound that obviously came from a far away place, beyond words and music.
I know it's supposed to be one album. But on a more physical reaction, a sort of muscle memory in my DNA' that also reckons to be kind of spiritually oriented, I must mention The Stooges (who I discovered much later than most people I know) and The Kinks.
Prime Primitive: 1976–1977, a "vital archival release from legendary New York City punk band Testors," is out now via Green Noise Records.
