fbpx
Wikipedia

Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth was an American rock band based in New York City and formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar) and Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of the band, while Steve Shelley (drums) followed a series of short-term drummers in 1985, rounding out the core line-up. Jim O'Rourke (bass, keyboards, guitar) was also a member of the band from 1999 to 2005, and Mark Ibold (bass, guitar) was a member from 2006 to 2011.

Sonic Youth
Final lineup of the band before their 2011 breakup; from left to right: Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Mark Ibold, Steve Shelley
Background information
OriginNew York City
Genres
Years active1981–2011
Labels
Past members
Websitesonicyouth.com

Sonic Youth emerged from the experimental no wave art and music scene in New York before evolving into a more conventional rock band and becoming a prominent member of the American noise rock scene. Sonic Youth have been praised for having "redefined what rock guitar could do"[1] using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tunings while preparing guitars with objects like drum sticks and screwdrivers to alter the instruments' timbre. The band was a pivotal influence on the alternative and indie rock movements.

After gaining a large underground following and critical praise through releases with SST Records in the late 1980s, the band experienced mainstream success throughout the 1990s and 2000s after signing to major label DGC in 1990 and headlining the 1995 Lollapalooza festival. The band disbanded in 2011 following the separation and subsequent divorce of Gordon and Moore with their final live shows taking place in Brazil.[2][3] The members have since asserted that the band is finished and would not reunite.[4]

History

Formation and early history: 1977–1981

Shortly after guitarist Thurston Moore moved to New York City in early 1977, he formed the group Room Tone with his roommates; they later changed their name to the Coachmen.[5] After the breakup of the Coachmen, Moore began jamming with Stanton Miranda, whose band, CKM, featured Kim Gordon.[6] Moore and Gordon formed a band, appearing under names like Male Bonding,[7] Red Milk,[7] and the Arcadians[8] before settling on Sonic Youth[9] in mid-1981. The name came from combining the nickname of MC5's Fred "Sonic" Smith with reggae artist Big Youth.[8] Gordon later recalled that "as soon as Thurston came up with the name Sonic Youth, a certain sound that was more of what we wanted to do came about."[10] The band played Noise Fest in June 1981 at New York's White Columns gallery,[11] where Lee Ranaldo was playing as a member of Glenn Branca's electric guitar ensemble. Their performance impressed Moore, who described them as "the most ferocious guitar band that I had ever seen in my life",[6] and he invited Ranaldo to join Sonic Youth.[12] The new trio played three songs at the festival later in the week without a drummer. Each band member took turns playing the drums, until they met drummer Richard Edson.[13]

Early releases: 1982–1985

Branca signed Sonic Youth as the first act on his record label Neutral Records. In December 1981 the group recorded five songs at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The material was released as the EP Sonic Youth which, while largely ignored, was sent to a few key members of the American music press, who gave it uniformly favorable reviews.[14] The album featured a relatively conventional post-punk style, in contrast to their later releases. Edson then quit the group for an acting career[15] and was replaced by Bob Bert.[16]

During their early days as part of the New York music scene, Sonic Youth formed a friendship with fellow New York noise rock band Swans.[17] The bands shared a rehearsal space, and Sonic Youth embarked on its first tour in November 1982 supporting Swans.[18] During a second tour with Swans the following month, tensions ran high and Moore constantly criticized Bert's drumming, which he felt was not "in the pocket".[19] Bert was fired afterwards[20] and replaced by Jim Sclavunos,[21] who played drums on the band's first studio album, 1983's Confusion Is Sex, which featured a louder and more dissonant sound than their debut EP. Sonic Youth set up a tour of Europe for the summer of 1983. Sclavunos, however, quit the band after only a few months. The group asked Bert to rejoin, and he agreed on the condition that he would not be fired again after the tour's conclusion.[22] Bert went on to play on the band's Kill Yr Idols EP later in 1983.

Sonic Youth were well received in Europe, but the New York press largely ignored the local noise rock scene. Eventually, as the press began to take notice of the genre, Sonic Youth was grouped with bands like Big Black, the Butthole Surfers, and Pussy Galore under the "pigfucker" label by Village Voice editor Robert Christgau.[23] Another critic from The Village Voice panned a substandard September concert in New York.[citation needed] Gordon wrote a scornful letter to the newspaper, criticizing it for not supporting its local music scene, to which Christgau responded that the paper was not obligated to support them. Moore retaliated by renaming the song "Kill Yr Idols" to "I Killed Christgau with My Big Fucking Dick", before the two eventually sorted out their differences amicably.[24]

Closing a second European tour in late 1983, Sonic Youth's disastrous London debut (where the band's equipment malfunctioned and Moore destroyed it onstage in frustration) actually resulted in rave reviews in Sounds and the NME.[citation needed] When they returned to New York they were so popular that they were able to book local gigs regularly.[25] The following year, Moore and Gordon were married, and Sonic Youth recorded Bad Moon Rising, a self-described "Americana" album that served as a reaction to the state of the nation at the time.[26] The album, recorded by Martin Bisi, was built around transitional pieces that Moore and Ranaldo had come up with in order to take up time onstage during tuning breaks;[25] as a result, there are almost no gaps between the songs on the records. Bad Moon Rising featured an appearance by Lydia Lunch in "Death Valley '69", which was inspired by the Charles Manson Family murders.[27]

Due to a falling-out with Branca over disputed royalty payments from their Neutral releases, Sonic Youth signed with Homestead Records in the US and Blast First in the UK (which founder Paul Smith created simply so he could distribute the band's records in Europe).[28] While the New York press ignored Bad Moon Rising upon its 1985 release, now viewing the band as too arty and pretentious, Sonic Youth gained critical acclaim in the United Kingdom, where the new album sold 5,000 copies.[29]

Claiming he was bored with playing Bad Moon Rising live in its entirety for over a year, Bert quit the group and was replaced by Steve Shelley, formerly of the punk group The Crucifucks. Sonic Youth was so impressed with Shelley's drumming after seeing him play live that they hired him without an audition.[30] Bert and Shelley both appeared in the music video for "Death Valley '69", as Bert had performed the drums on the song, but Shelley was the group's drummer when the video was filmed.

SST and Enigma: 1986–1989

 
Sonic Youth in a publicity photo issued by SST to promote their fourth album, Sister (1987). Left to right: Shelley, Ranaldo, Moore, Gordon.

Sonic Youth had long appreciated SST Records; Ranaldo said, "It was the first record company we were on that we really would have given anything to be on."[31] Sonic Youth signed with the label in early 1986 and began recording EVOL with Martin Bisi. The band gained national attention when signing with SST, making them the first band from the New York underground to gain such notice.[32] The mainstream music press subsequently began to take notice of the band. Robert Palmer of The New York Times declared that Sonic Youth was "making the most startlingly original guitar-based music since Jimi Hendrix" and even People reviewed EVOL, describing the album as the "aural equivalent of a toxic waste dump."[33] The album was later called "a classic" by Neil Young.[34]

Around the same time, the band collaborated with Mike Watt under the alias Ciccone Youth, which was a play on the names Sonic Youth and Ciccone, the surname of pop singer Madonna.[35] Sonic Youth released one single in 1986 and one studio album in 1988 under the Ciccone Youth name.[36] The 1986 single, "Into the Groove(y)", was a cover of Madonna's "Into the Groove" and was preceded by "Tuff Titty Rap". The flip side of the record was Watt's cover of Madonna's "Burning Up" which had the altered title of "Burnin' Up". The Whitey Album included both Sonic Youth songs from the single plus a demo version of "Burnin' Up". The album also contained a cover of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" which was recorded in a karaoke booth.[37]

The 1987 Sonic Youth album Sister was a loose concept album partly inspired by the life and works of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. The "sister" of the title was Dick's fraternal twin, who died shortly after her birth and whose memory haunted Dick his entire life.[38] Sister sold 60,000 copies and received very positive reviews, becoming the first Sonic Youth album to crack the Top 20 of the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics poll.[39]

Despite their critical success, the band became dissatisfied with SST due to concerns about payments and other administrative practices.[40] Sonic Youth decided to release their next record on Enigma Records, which was distributed by Capitol Records and partly owned by EMI. The 1988 double LP Daydream Nation was a critical success that earned Sonic Youth substantial acclaim. The album came in second on the Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll and topped the year-end album lists at NME, CMJ, and Melody Maker. In 2005, it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.[41] The lead single from the album, "Teen Age Riot", was their first song to receive significant airplay on modern rock and college rock stations, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[42] A number of prominent music periodicals including Rolling Stone hailed Daydream Nation as one of the best albums of the decade and named Sonic Youth as the "Hot Band" in its "Hot" issue.[43] Unfortunately, distribution problems arose and Daydream Nation was often difficult to find in stores. Moore considered Enigma a "cheap-jack Mafioso outfit" and the band began looking for a major label deal.[44]

Major label career and becoming alternative icons: 1990–1999

 
 
Moore and Gordon performing in the early 1990s

In 1990, Sonic Youth released Goo, their first album for Geffen. The album featured the single "Kool Thing" on which Public Enemy's Chuck D made a guest appearance. The record was considered much more accessible than their previous works[45] and became the band's best-selling record to date.

In 1992, the band released Dirty on the DGC label. Their influence as tastemakers continued with their discovery of acclaimed skateboard video director Spike Jonze, who they recruited for the video for "100%", which also featured skateboarder turned actor Jason Lee. That song and "JC" discuss the murder of Joe Cole, a friend who worked with Black Flag as a roadie.[citation needed] The album features artwork by Los Angeles-based artist Mike Kelley.[46] Dirty features a guest appearance by Ian MacKaye on the track "Youth Against Fascism". In 1993, the band contributed the track "Burning Spear" to the AIDS benefit album No Alternative, produced by the Red Hot Organization.[47]

In 1994, the band released Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star, their best-charting release in the United States to date at No. 34 on the Billboard 200.[48] Moore and Gordon's daughter, Coco Hayley Moore, was born later that year, and many of the songs from the album were never played live because there was never a full tour to support the album due to Gordon's pregnancy.[49] In 1994, the band released a cover of The Carpenters' 1971 hit "Superstar" for the tribute album If I Were a Carpenter.[50] The band headlined the 1995 Lollapalooza festival with Hole and Pavement.[48] By that time, alternative rock had gained considerable mainstream attention, and the festival was parodied in The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza" in 1996, which featured voiceovers from the band. They also performed the final credits theme for that episode.[51]

The album Washing Machine was released in 1995 and represented a shift in Sonic Youth's sound, away from their punk rock roots and toward experimental and longer jam-based arrangements.[52] Starting in 1997 they released a series of improvisational albums grouped under the title SYR with song titles and liner notes in various languages.[53] SYR3: Invito al ĉielo, released in 1998, featured Jim O'Rourke who later became an official band member.[54] Various songs from the SYR series were added to Sonic Youth's live performances, and others inspired tracks on the next proper Sonic Youth album, A Thousand Leaves, released in 1998.[55]

 
Sonic Youth performing in Copenhagen in 2000

Later DGC period: 2000–2006

On July 4, 1999, Sonic Youth's instruments and stage equipment were stolen during a tour in Orange County, California. Almost 30 guitars and basses were stolen; some were recovered over the next 13 years.[56][57] Forced to start from scratch with new instruments, they released the album NYC Ghosts & Flowers in 2000 and opened for Pearl Jam during the east coast leg of that band's 2000 tour.[58]

In 2001, Sonic Youth collaborated with French avant-garde singer and poet Brigitte Fontaine on her album Kékéland.[59] The following year, Sonic Youth participated in the first outing of the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival and curating the ensuing compilation album.[60] The album Murray Street was released in 2002 and saw the addition of Jim O'Rourke as a full-time member on guitar, bass, and keyboards.[61] During this period the band participated in the production of the documentary film Kill Your Idols, directed and produced by Scott Crary and covering the history of punk rock in New York City. The film was released in 2004.[62]

In 2003 Sonic Youth released a split 7-inch single with Erase Errata.[63] The next Sonic Youth album, Sonic Nurse, was also released in 2004.[64] The band was slated to perform in the 2004 Lollapalooza tour along with acts such as the Pixies and the Flaming Lips, but the tour was canceled due to lackluster ticket sales.[65] O'Rourke departed in 2006 and was replaced by ex-Pavement member Mark Ibold for touring purposes.[66]

 
Additional guitarist Jim O'Rourke with the band in concert in 2004

Rather Ripped was released in 2006 and was noted as a return to the band's earlier sound, due both to the departure of O'Rourke and the recovery of some of the instruments that had been stolen in 1999.[67] Sonic Youth played the Bonnaroo Festival later that year.[68] In December 2006 they released The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities. The compilation featured tracks previously available only on vinyl, tracks from limited-release compilations, B-sides to international singles, and some material that had never before been released. This marked the band's final Geffen release.[69]

Matador period: 2007–2011

In 2007, the band became one of the earliest big-name rock bands to play in China when they were brought in for a tour by the music company Split Works.[70] In 2008 they released a compilation album on Starbucks Music, called Hits Are for Squares, with the tracks selected by other celebrities.[71] Later in 2008, Sonic Youth ended their relationship with Geffen, due to dissatisfaction with how the label had promoted their last several albums.[72] They then signed with independent label Matador Records,[73] which released the album The Eternal in 2009.[74] During this period they collaborated with John Paul Jones on the soundtrack for a performance at Merce Cunningham Dance Company to honor the company's founder.[75] In 2010 the band scored and composed the soundtrack of the French thriller-drama Simon Werner a Disparu, which premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival.[76] The soundtrack was released in 2011 as SYR9: Simon Werner a Disparu, an entry in experimental SYR series.

Disbandment: 2011–2013

 
Sonic Youth performing in Santiago, Chile in November 2011

On October 14, 2011, Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore announced that they had separated after 27 years of marriage.[77] Sonic Youth's label Matador explained that plans for the band remained "uncertain", despite previously hinting that they would record new material later in the year.[78] Sonic Youth performed their final concert on November 14, 2011, at the SWU Music & Arts Festival in Itu, São Paulo, Brazil.[2][3] The following week, Lee Ranaldo stated in an interview that Sonic Youth would be "ending for a while".[79]

Post-disbandment activities: 2013–present

In November 2013, Ranaldo said in response to the question of a possible reunion, "I fear not. Everybody is busy with their own projects, besides that Thurston and Kim aren't getting along together very well since their split… Let [the band] rest in peace."[4] Thurston Moore updated and clarified the matter in May 2014: "Sonic Youth is on hiatus. The band is a democracy of sorts, and as long as Kim and I are working out our situation, the band can't really function reasonably."[80] In her 2015 autobiography Girl in a Band, Gordon refers several times to the band having "split up" for good.

In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonic Youth sold official face masks based on the artwork from the album Sonic Nurse, with proceeds going to charities Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, Bed Stuy Strong, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's COVID-19 Relief Fund.[81] The same year, an extensive archive of live recordings from throughout the band's history was released on Bandcamp.[82]

In January 2022, a new single "In & Out" was released ahead of the March release of the rarities album In/Out/In.[83]

Musical style and influences

Sonic Youth is considered a pioneering band in the noise rock and alternative rock genres.[1] Their music has also been labelled experimental rock, indie rock, and post-punk.[1]

Alternative tunings

Sonic Youth's sound relied heavily on the use of alternative tunings. Scordatura on stringed instruments has been used for centuries and alternative guitar tunings had been used for decades in blues music, and to a limited degree in rock music (such as with Lou Reed's Ostrich guitar on The Velvet Underground & Nico). Michael Azerrad writes that early in their career,

[Sonic Youth] could only afford cheap guitars, and cheap guitars sounded like cheap guitars. But with weird tunings or something jammed under a particular fret, those humble instruments could sound rather amazing – bang a drum stick on a cheap Japanese Stratocaster copy in the right tuning, crank the amplifier to within an inch of its life and it will sound like church bells.[84]

The tunings were painstakingly developed by Moore and Ranaldo during the band's rehearsals; Moore once reported that the odd tunings were an attempt to introduce new sounds: "When you're playing in standard tuning all the time [...] things sound pretty standard."[84] Rather than re-tune for every song, Sonic Youth generally used a particular guitar for one or two songs, and would take dozens of instruments on tour. This would be the source of much trouble for the band, as live performances of many songs relied on specific guitars that have been uniquely prepared or otherwise altered for those exact songs.[85]

Influences

Moore said that Sonic Youth was heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground,[86] along with The Stooges, Glenn Branca, Patti Smith, Wire,[87] Public Image Ltd and French avant-gardist Brigitte Fontaine. They were also influenced by 1980s hardcore punk; after seeing Minor Threat perform in May 1982, Moore declared them "the greatest live band I have ever seen".[88] He also saw The Faith performing in 1981 and had a strong admiration towards their only two records, a split LP with fellow Washington, D.C. hardcore band Void and the EP Subject to Change.[89] While recognizing that their own music was very different from hardcore, Moore and Gordon, especially, were impressed by hardcore's speed and intensity, and by the nationwide network of musicians and fans. "It was great", said Moore, "the whole thing with slam dancing and stage diving, that was far more exciting than pogoing and spitting. [...] I thought hardcore was very musical and very radical."[90]

Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo expressed on numerous occasions their admiration for the music of Joni Mitchell, such as this quote by Thurston Moore: "Joni Mitchell! I've used elements of her songwriting and guitar playing, and no one would ever know about it."[91] Additionally, as with Sonic Youth, Joni Mitchell has always used a number of alternative tunings.[92] The band named a song after her, "Hey Joni". Members of the band have also maintained relationships with other avant-garde artists from other genres and even other media, drawing influence from the work of John Cage and Henry Cowell.

Members

Final lineup

Former members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sonic Youth – Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic". AllMusic. from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Pelly, Jenn (November 15, 2011). "Watch: Sonic Youth's Final (?) Show". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Kim Gordon Describes Sonic Youth's Depressing Final Show". Gothamist. February 24, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Interview for Humo Magazine". Humo. December 8, 2013. from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  5. ^ Chick 2007, p. 42.
  6. ^ a b Azerrad 2001, p. 234.
  7. ^ a b Browne 2008, p. 45.
  8. ^ a b Browne 2008, p. 46.
  9. ^ Browne 2008, p. 47.
  10. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 236.
  11. ^ Browne 2008, p. 50-53.
  12. ^ Browne 2008, p. 66-67.
  13. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 235.
  14. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 237.
  15. ^ "Growing up in Sonic Youth". Salon. November 29, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "BOB BERT (PUSSY GALORE, LYDIA LUNCH RETROVIRUS, EX-SONIC YOUTH,...) - interview by Peek-A-Boo magazine". www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Browne 2008, p. 83-86.
  18. ^ Browne 2008, p. 86-89.
  19. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 241.
  20. ^ Browne 2008, p. 89-90.
  21. ^ "The Quietus | Features | At Leisure | At Leisure: Jim Sclavunos Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds On Tiki Cocktails". The Quietus. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  22. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 245.
  23. ^ Christgau, Robert (March 3, 1987). "Township Jive Conquers the World: The 13th (or 14th) Annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". Village Voice.
  24. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 246.
  25. ^ a b Azerrad 2001, p. 248.
  26. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 250.
  27. ^ "Intense Humming Of Evil - 10 tracks that reference Charles Manson". NME. July 30, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  28. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 252.
  29. ^ Azerrad 2001, pp. 252–253.
  30. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 258.
  31. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 261.
  32. ^ Azerrad 2001, pp. 262–263.
  33. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 265.
  34. ^ "[Neil Young interview]". Guitar & Claviers. April 1992. from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  35. ^ "The Whitey Album". from the original on March 19, 2005.
  36. ^ Deming, Mark. "Ciccone Youth". Allmusic. from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  37. ^ The Whitey Album - Ciccone Youth | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  38. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 266.
  39. ^ "Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 1987: Critics Poll". www.robertchristgau.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  40. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 268.
  41. ^ "The National Recording Registry 2005 : National Recording Preservation Board (Library of Congress)". loc.gov. from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  42. ^ "Daydream Nation – Sonic Youth: Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  43. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 270.
  44. ^ Azerrad 2001, p. 271.
  45. ^ . independent.co.uk. June 7, 2002. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  46. ^ Doss, Erika Lee (2002). Twentieth-Century American Art. Oxford University Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0192842398. sonic Youth dirty cover kelley.
  47. ^ Sinclair, Tom (November 11, 1993). "No Alternative". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  48. ^ a b George-Warren & Romanowski 2005, p. 913.
  49. ^ "Sonic Youth: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  50. ^ Visconti, John (January 31, 2020). ""If I Were A Carpenter": An Unlikely Tribute Album". www.culturesonar.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  51. ^ "With 'Homerpalooza,' 'The Simpsons' Made Being Too Old to Rock Cool". www.vice.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  52. ^ "Washing Machine". EW.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  53. ^ "A Guide To…Sonic Youth Records / SYR". I Heart Noise. January 7, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  54. ^ SYR 3: Invito Al Ĉielo - Sonic Youth, Jim O'Rourke | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  55. ^ A Thousand Leaves - Sonic Youth | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  56. ^ Pelly, Jenn (September 24, 2012). "Sonic Youth Recover Stolen Guitars After 13 Years". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  57. ^ Appleford, Steve (June 10, 2005). . lacitybeat.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  58. ^ Powers, Ann (August 29, 2000). "POP REVIEW; Pearl Jam, Progressive As Always". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  59. ^ "Brigitte Fontaine: Kekeland". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  60. ^ All Tomorrow's Parties 1.1: Sonic Youth Curated - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  61. ^ Murray St. - Sonic Youth | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  62. ^ "KILL YOUR iDOLS. | 2004 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  63. ^ Browne 2008, p. 378.
  64. ^ Sonic Nurse - Sonic Youth | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  65. ^ "Lollapalooza Canceled; Organizers Cite Poor Ticket Sales". MTV News. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  66. ^ "Stains on the Sidewalk: We Downed Beers in Chinatown with Former Pavement Bassist Mark Ibold". www.vice.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  67. ^ Rather Ripped - Sonic Youth | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 21, 2021
  68. ^ "Sonic Youth @ Bonnaroo 2006". BrooklynVegan. June 28, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  69. ^ Maher, Dave (October 30, 2006). . Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 11, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  70. ^ . spli-t.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  71. ^ Deller, Alex. "Review of Sonic Youth - Hits Are for Squares". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  72. ^ Solarski, Matthew (August 26, 2008). . Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  73. ^ McDonald, John S. W. (October 9, 2008). "Sonic Youth Goes Indie Again; Alice in Chains Returns | Observer". Observer. from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  74. ^ Breihan, Tom (February 12, 2009). "Sonic Youth Confirm New Album: The Eternal". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  75. ^ Thompson, Paul; Phillips, Amy (December 3, 2008). "Sonic Youth Work with Led Zep Bassist on Dance Piece | News | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  76. ^ "'Simon werner a disparu' at Cannes " Sonic Youth News". 70.32.78.35. April 15, 2010. from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  77. ^ Ganz, Caryn (October 14, 2011). "Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Split | Spin | Newswire". spin.com. from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  78. ^ "Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Marriage Split | News | nme.com". nme.com. October 15, 2011. from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  79. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (November 28, 2011). "Lee Ranaldo on the Future of Sonic Youth". rollingstone.com. from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  80. ^ "Sound City Liverpool onstage interview". from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  81. ^ "Sonic Youth selling 'Sonic Nurse' COVID-19 shirt & mask for charity". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  82. ^ "Digging Through Sonic Youth's Bandcamp Archives". Daily.bandcamp.com. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  83. ^ Peacock, Tim (January 19, 2022). "Sonic Youth Announce New Rarities Collection, In Out In". uDiscover Music. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  84. ^ a b Azerrad 2001, p. 243.
  85. ^ Bienstock, Bienstock (October 2018). "Sonic Youth to Sell Guitars and Amps Used Throughout the Band's Career on Reverb.com". guitarworld. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  86. ^ "Thurston Moore on Art Rock and Early Sonic Youth". Vulture.com. March 28, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
    "Remembering Lou Reed: Thurston Moore". Rolling Stone. November 7, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  87. ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Wire, 'Pink Flag' | Rolling Stone". rollingstone.com. May 31, 2009. from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  88. ^ Azerrad, p. 273.
  89. ^ "Faith-Thurston-Moore". dischord.com. from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  90. ^ Ignacio & Gonzalo 1994, p. 51.
  91. ^ "guitarplayer: Sonic Youth on Their Stripped-Down Rather Ripped Album". November 14, 2006. from the original on July 16, 2012.
  92. ^ "Video Lesson: Inside Joni Mitchell's Inventive Guitar Style | Acoustic Guitar". December 12, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2021.

Bibliography

  • Azerrad, Michael (2001). Our Band Could Be Your Life. New York: Little, Brown.
  • Browne, David (2008). Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-81515-7.
  • Chick, Steve (2007). Psychic Confusion: The Sonic Youth Story. Omnibus Press.
  • Foege, Alec (1994). Confusion Is Next: The Sonic Youth Story. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312113698.
  • Ignacio, Julia; Gonzalo, Jaime (1994). Sonic Youth: I Dreamed of Noise. Barcelona: RUTA 66.
  • George-Warren, Holly; Romanowski, Patricia, eds. (2005). "Sonic Youth". The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. New York City, New York: Fireside. ISBN 978-0-7432-9201-6.
  • Neal, Charles, ed. (1987). Tape Delay: Confessions from the Eighties Underground. SAF Publishing Ltd. pp. 93–103. ISBN 978-0-946719-02-0 – via the Internet Archive.
  • Prendergrast, Mark (2000). The Ambient Century: From Mahler to Trance, the Evolution of Sound in the Electronic Age. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-1-58234-134-7.
  • Wild, Peter, ed. (2008). The Empty Page: Fiction Inspired by Sonic Youth. Serpent's Tail. ISBN 978-1-85242-956-0.

External links

  • Official website  
  • Sonic Youth discography at Discogs  
  • Sonic Youth at AllMusic  
  • Sonic Youth at IMDb  

sonic, youth, this, article, about, band, their, debut, eponymous, american, rock, band, based, york, city, formed, 1981, founding, members, thurston, moore, guitar, vocals, gordon, bass, vocals, guitar, ranaldo, guitar, vocals, remained, together, entire, his. This article is about the band For their debut eponymous EP see Sonic Youth EP Sonic Youth was an American rock band based in New York City and formed in 1981 Founding members Thurston Moore guitar vocals Kim Gordon bass vocals guitar and Lee Ranaldo guitar vocals remained together for the entire history of the band while Steve Shelley drums followed a series of short term drummers in 1985 rounding out the core line up Jim O Rourke bass keyboards guitar was also a member of the band from 1999 to 2005 and Mark Ibold bass guitar was a member from 2006 to 2011 Sonic YouthFinal lineup of the band before their 2011 breakup from left to right Thurston Moore Kim Gordon Lee Ranaldo Mark Ibold Steve ShelleyBackground informationOriginNew York CityGenresNoise rock alternative rock experimental rock indie rock post punk no wave early Years active1981 2011LabelsNeutral Sub Pop Ecstatic Peace Blast First Homestead SST Enigma Au Go Go Geffen DGC SYR MatadorPast membersThurston Moore Kim Gordon Lee Ranaldo Richard Edson Anne DeMarinis Bob Bert Jim Sclavunos Steve Shelley Jim O Rourke Mark IboldWebsitesonicyouth wbr comSonic Youth emerged from the experimental no wave art and music scene in New York before evolving into a more conventional rock band and becoming a prominent member of the American noise rock scene Sonic Youth have been praised for having redefined what rock guitar could do 1 using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tunings while preparing guitars with objects like drum sticks and screwdrivers to alter the instruments timbre The band was a pivotal influence on the alternative and indie rock movements After gaining a large underground following and critical praise through releases with SST Records in the late 1980s the band experienced mainstream success throughout the 1990s and 2000s after signing to major label DGC in 1990 and headlining the 1995 Lollapalooza festival The band disbanded in 2011 following the separation and subsequent divorce of Gordon and Moore with their final live shows taking place in Brazil 2 3 The members have since asserted that the band is finished and would not reunite 4 Contents 1 History 1 1 Formation and early history 1977 1981 1 2 Early releases 1982 1985 1 3 SST and Enigma 1986 1989 1 4 Major label career and becoming alternative icons 1990 1999 1 5 Later DGC period 2000 2006 1 6 Matador period 2007 2011 1 7 Disbandment 2011 2013 1 8 Post disbandment activities 2013 present 2 Musical style and influences 2 1 Alternative tunings 2 2 Influences 3 Members 3 1 Final lineup 3 2 Former members 3 3 Timeline 4 Discography 4 1 Studio albums 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksHistory EditFormation and early history 1977 1981 Edit Shortly after guitarist Thurston Moore moved to New York City in early 1977 he formed the group Room Tone with his roommates they later changed their name to the Coachmen 5 After the breakup of the Coachmen Moore began jamming with Stanton Miranda whose band CKM featured Kim Gordon 6 Moore and Gordon formed a band appearing under names like Male Bonding 7 Red Milk 7 and the Arcadians 8 before settling on Sonic Youth 9 in mid 1981 The name came from combining the nickname of MC5 s Fred Sonic Smith with reggae artist Big Youth 8 Gordon later recalled that as soon as Thurston came up with the name Sonic Youth a certain sound that was more of what we wanted to do came about 10 The band played Noise Fest in June 1981 at New York s White Columns gallery 11 where Lee Ranaldo was playing as a member of Glenn Branca s electric guitar ensemble Their performance impressed Moore who described them as the most ferocious guitar band that I had ever seen in my life 6 and he invited Ranaldo to join Sonic Youth 12 The new trio played three songs at the festival later in the week without a drummer Each band member took turns playing the drums until they met drummer Richard Edson 13 Early releases 1982 1985 Edit Branca signed Sonic Youth as the first act on his record label Neutral Records In December 1981 the group recorded five songs at New York s Radio City Music Hall The material was released as the EP Sonic Youth which while largely ignored was sent to a few key members of the American music press who gave it uniformly favorable reviews 14 The album featured a relatively conventional post punk style in contrast to their later releases Edson then quit the group for an acting career 15 and was replaced by Bob Bert 16 During their early days as part of the New York music scene Sonic Youth formed a friendship with fellow New York noise rock band Swans 17 The bands shared a rehearsal space and Sonic Youth embarked on its first tour in November 1982 supporting Swans 18 During a second tour with Swans the following month tensions ran high and Moore constantly criticized Bert s drumming which he felt was not in the pocket 19 Bert was fired afterwards 20 and replaced by Jim Sclavunos 21 who played drums on the band s first studio album 1983 s Confusion Is Sex which featured a louder and more dissonant sound than their debut EP Sonic Youth set up a tour of Europe for the summer of 1983 Sclavunos however quit the band after only a few months The group asked Bert to rejoin and he agreed on the condition that he would not be fired again after the tour s conclusion 22 Bert went on to play on the band s Kill Yr Idols EP later in 1983 Sonic Youth were well received in Europe but the New York press largely ignored the local noise rock scene Eventually as the press began to take notice of the genre Sonic Youth was grouped with bands like Big Black the Butthole Surfers and Pussy Galore under the pigfucker label by Village Voice editor Robert Christgau 23 Another critic from The Village Voice panned a substandard September concert in New York citation needed Gordon wrote a scornful letter to the newspaper criticizing it for not supporting its local music scene to which Christgau responded that the paper was not obligated to support them Moore retaliated by renaming the song Kill Yr Idols to I Killed Christgau with My Big Fucking Dick before the two eventually sorted out their differences amicably 24 Closing a second European tour in late 1983 Sonic Youth s disastrous London debut where the band s equipment malfunctioned and Moore destroyed it onstage in frustration actually resulted in rave reviews in Sounds and the NME citation needed When they returned to New York they were so popular that they were able to book local gigs regularly 25 The following year Moore and Gordon were married and Sonic Youth recorded Bad Moon Rising a self described Americana album that served as a reaction to the state of the nation at the time 26 The album recorded by Martin Bisi was built around transitional pieces that Moore and Ranaldo had come up with in order to take up time onstage during tuning breaks 25 as a result there are almost no gaps between the songs on the records Bad Moon Rising featured an appearance by Lydia Lunch in Death Valley 69 which was inspired by the Charles Manson Family murders 27 Due to a falling out with Branca over disputed royalty payments from their Neutral releases Sonic Youth signed with Homestead Records in the US and Blast First in the UK which founder Paul Smith created simply so he could distribute the band s records in Europe 28 While the New York press ignored Bad Moon Rising upon its 1985 release now viewing the band as too arty and pretentious Sonic Youth gained critical acclaim in the United Kingdom where the new album sold 5 000 copies 29 Claiming he was bored with playing Bad Moon Rising live in its entirety for over a year Bert quit the group and was replaced by Steve Shelley formerly of the punk group The Crucifucks Sonic Youth was so impressed with Shelley s drumming after seeing him play live that they hired him without an audition 30 Bert and Shelley both appeared in the music video for Death Valley 69 as Bert had performed the drums on the song but Shelley was the group s drummer when the video was filmed SST and Enigma 1986 1989 Edit Sonic Youth in a publicity photo issued by SST to promote their fourth album Sister 1987 Left to right Shelley Ranaldo Moore Gordon Sonic Youth had long appreciated SST Records Ranaldo said It was the first record company we were on that we really would have given anything to be on 31 Sonic Youth signed with the label in early 1986 and began recording EVOL with Martin Bisi The band gained national attention when signing with SST making them the first band from the New York underground to gain such notice 32 The mainstream music press subsequently began to take notice of the band Robert Palmer of The New York Times declared that Sonic Youth was making the most startlingly original guitar based music since Jimi Hendrix and even People reviewed EVOL describing the album as the aural equivalent of a toxic waste dump 33 The album was later called a classic by Neil Young 34 Around the same time the band collaborated with Mike Watt under the alias Ciccone Youth which was a play on the names Sonic Youth and Ciccone the surname of pop singer Madonna 35 Sonic Youth released one single in 1986 and one studio album in 1988 under the Ciccone Youth name 36 The 1986 single Into the Groove y was a cover of Madonna s Into the Groove and was preceded by Tuff Titty Rap The flip side of the record was Watt s cover of Madonna s Burning Up which had the altered title of Burnin Up The Whitey Album included both Sonic Youth songs from the single plus a demo version of Burnin Up The album also contained a cover of Robert Palmer s Addicted to Love which was recorded in a karaoke booth 37 The 1987 Sonic Youth album Sister was a loose concept album partly inspired by the life and works of science fiction writer Philip K Dick The sister of the title was Dick s fraternal twin who died shortly after her birth and whose memory haunted Dick his entire life 38 Sister sold 60 000 copies and received very positive reviews becoming the first Sonic Youth album to crack the Top 20 of the Village Voice s Pazz amp Jop critics poll 39 Despite their critical success the band became dissatisfied with SST due to concerns about payments and other administrative practices 40 Sonic Youth decided to release their next record on Enigma Records which was distributed by Capitol Records and partly owned by EMI The 1988 double LP Daydream Nation was a critical success that earned Sonic Youth substantial acclaim The album came in second on the Village Voice Pazz amp Jop poll and topped the year end album lists at NME CMJ and Melody Maker In 2005 it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry 41 The lead single from the album Teen Age Riot was their first song to receive significant airplay on modern rock and college rock stations reaching number 20 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart 42 A number of prominent music periodicals including Rolling Stone hailed Daydream Nation as one of the best albums of the decade and named Sonic Youth as the Hot Band in its Hot issue 43 Unfortunately distribution problems arose and Daydream Nation was often difficult to find in stores Moore considered Enigma a cheap jack Mafioso outfit and the band began looking for a major label deal 44 Major label career and becoming alternative icons 1990 1999 Edit Moore and Gordon performing in the early 1990s In 1990 Sonic Youth released Goo their first album for Geffen The album featured the single Kool Thing on which Public Enemy s Chuck D made a guest appearance The record was considered much more accessible than their previous works 45 and became the band s best selling record to date In 1992 the band released Dirty on the DGC label Their influence as tastemakers continued with their discovery of acclaimed skateboard video director Spike Jonze who they recruited for the video for 100 which also featured skateboarder turned actor Jason Lee That song and JC discuss the murder of Joe Cole a friend who worked with Black Flag as a roadie citation needed The album features artwork by Los Angeles based artist Mike Kelley 46 Dirty features a guest appearance by Ian MacKaye on the track Youth Against Fascism In 1993 the band contributed the track Burning Spear to the AIDS benefit album No Alternative produced by the Red Hot Organization 47 In 1994 the band released Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star their best charting release in the United States to date at No 34 on the Billboard 200 48 Moore and Gordon s daughter Coco Hayley Moore was born later that year and many of the songs from the album were never played live because there was never a full tour to support the album due to Gordon s pregnancy 49 In 1994 the band released a cover of The Carpenters 1971 hit Superstar for the tribute album If I Were a Carpenter 50 The band headlined the 1995 Lollapalooza festival with Hole and Pavement 48 By that time alternative rock had gained considerable mainstream attention and the festival was parodied in The Simpsons episode Homerpalooza in 1996 which featured voiceovers from the band They also performed the final credits theme for that episode 51 The album Washing Machine was released in 1995 and represented a shift in Sonic Youth s sound away from their punk rock roots and toward experimental and longer jam based arrangements 52 Starting in 1997 they released a series of improvisational albums grouped under the title SYR with song titles and liner notes in various languages 53 SYR3 Invito al ĉielo released in 1998 featured Jim O Rourke who later became an official band member 54 Various songs from the SYR series were added to Sonic Youth s live performances and others inspired tracks on the next proper Sonic Youth album A Thousand Leaves released in 1998 55 Sonic Youth performing in Copenhagen in 2000Later DGC period 2000 2006 Edit On July 4 1999 Sonic Youth s instruments and stage equipment were stolen during a tour in Orange County California Almost 30 guitars and basses were stolen some were recovered over the next 13 years 56 57 Forced to start from scratch with new instruments they released the album NYC Ghosts amp Flowers in 2000 and opened for Pearl Jam during the east coast leg of that band s 2000 tour 58 In 2001 Sonic Youth collaborated with French avant garde singer and poet Brigitte Fontaine on her album Kekeland 59 The following year Sonic Youth participated in the first outing of the All Tomorrow s Parties music festival and curating the ensuing compilation album 60 The album Murray Street was released in 2002 and saw the addition of Jim O Rourke as a full time member on guitar bass and keyboards 61 During this period the band participated in the production of the documentary film Kill Your Idols directed and produced by Scott Crary and covering the history of punk rock in New York City The film was released in 2004 62 In 2003 Sonic Youth released a split 7 inch single with Erase Errata 63 The next Sonic Youth album Sonic Nurse was also released in 2004 64 The band was slated to perform in the 2004 Lollapalooza tour along with acts such as the Pixies and the Flaming Lips but the tour was canceled due to lackluster ticket sales 65 O Rourke departed in 2006 and was replaced by ex Pavement member Mark Ibold for touring purposes 66 Additional guitarist Jim O Rourke with the band in concert in 2004Rather Ripped was released in 2006 and was noted as a return to the band s earlier sound due both to the departure of O Rourke and the recovery of some of the instruments that had been stolen in 1999 67 Sonic Youth played the Bonnaroo Festival later that year 68 In December 2006 they released The Destroyed Room B Sides and Rarities The compilation featured tracks previously available only on vinyl tracks from limited release compilations B sides to international singles and some material that had never before been released This marked the band s final Geffen release 69 Matador period 2007 2011 Edit In 2007 the band became one of the earliest big name rock bands to play in China when they were brought in for a tour by the music company Split Works 70 In 2008 they released a compilation album on Starbucks Music called Hits Are for Squares with the tracks selected by other celebrities 71 Later in 2008 Sonic Youth ended their relationship with Geffen due to dissatisfaction with how the label had promoted their last several albums 72 They then signed with independent label Matador Records 73 which released the album The Eternal in 2009 74 During this period they collaborated with John Paul Jones on the soundtrack for a performance at Merce Cunningham Dance Company to honor the company s founder 75 In 2010 the band scored and composed the soundtrack of the French thriller drama Simon Werner a Disparu which premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival 76 The soundtrack was released in 2011 as SYR9 Simon Werner a Disparu an entry in experimental SYR series Disbandment 2011 2013 Edit Sonic Youth performing in Santiago Chile in November 2011On October 14 2011 Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore announced that they had separated after 27 years of marriage 77 Sonic Youth s label Matador explained that plans for the band remained uncertain despite previously hinting that they would record new material later in the year 78 Sonic Youth performed their final concert on November 14 2011 at the SWU Music amp Arts Festival in Itu Sao Paulo Brazil 2 3 The following week Lee Ranaldo stated in an interview that Sonic Youth would be ending for a while 79 Post disbandment activities 2013 present Edit In November 2013 Ranaldo said in response to the question of a possible reunion I fear not Everybody is busy with their own projects besides that Thurston and Kim aren t getting along together very well since their split Let the band rest in peace 4 Thurston Moore updated and clarified the matter in May 2014 Sonic Youth is on hiatus The band is a democracy of sorts and as long as Kim and I are working out our situation the band can t really function reasonably 80 In her 2015 autobiography Girl in a Band Gordon refers several times to the band having split up for good In 2020 during the COVID 19 pandemic Sonic Youth sold official face masks based on the artwork from the album Sonic Nurse with proceeds going to charities Brooklyn Community Bail Fund Bed Stuy Strong and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez s COVID 19 Relief Fund 81 The same year an extensive archive of live recordings from throughout the band s history was released on Bandcamp 82 In January 2022 a new single In amp Out was released ahead of the March release of the rarities album In Out In 83 Musical style and influences EditSonic Youth is considered a pioneering band in the noise rock and alternative rock genres 1 Their music has also been labelled experimental rock indie rock and post punk 1 Alternative tunings Edit Sonic Youth s sound relied heavily on the use of alternative tunings Scordatura on stringed instruments has been used for centuries and alternative guitar tunings had been used for decades in blues music and to a limited degree in rock music such as with Lou Reed s Ostrich guitar on The Velvet Underground amp Nico Michael Azerrad writes that early in their career Sonic Youth could only afford cheap guitars and cheap guitars sounded like cheap guitars But with weird tunings or something jammed under a particular fret those humble instruments could sound rather amazing bang a drum stick on a cheap Japanese Stratocaster copy in the right tuning crank the amplifier to within an inch of its life and it will sound like church bells 84 The tunings were painstakingly developed by Moore and Ranaldo during the band s rehearsals Moore once reported that the odd tunings were an attempt to introduce new sounds When you re playing in standard tuning all the time things sound pretty standard 84 Rather than re tune for every song Sonic Youth generally used a particular guitar for one or two songs and would take dozens of instruments on tour This would be the source of much trouble for the band as live performances of many songs relied on specific guitars that have been uniquely prepared or otherwise altered for those exact songs 85 Influences Edit Moore said that Sonic Youth was heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground 86 along with The Stooges Glenn Branca Patti Smith Wire 87 Public Image Ltd and French avant gardist Brigitte Fontaine They were also influenced by 1980s hardcore punk after seeing Minor Threat perform in May 1982 Moore declared them the greatest live band I have ever seen 88 He also saw The Faith performing in 1981 and had a strong admiration towards their only two records a split LP with fellow Washington D C hardcore band Void and the EP Subject to Change 89 While recognizing that their own music was very different from hardcore Moore and Gordon especially were impressed by hardcore s speed and intensity and by the nationwide network of musicians and fans It was great said Moore the whole thing with slam dancing and stage diving that was far more exciting than pogoing and spitting I thought hardcore was very musical and very radical 90 Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo expressed on numerous occasions their admiration for the music of Joni Mitchell such as this quote by Thurston Moore Joni Mitchell I ve used elements of her songwriting and guitar playing and no one would ever know about it 91 Additionally as with Sonic Youth Joni Mitchell has always used a number of alternative tunings 92 The band named a song after her Hey Joni Members of the band have also maintained relationships with other avant garde artists from other genres and even other media drawing influence from the work of John Cage and Henry Cowell Members EditFinal lineup Edit Kim Gordon vocals bass guitar 1981 2011 Thurston Moore vocals guitar 1981 2011 Lee Ranaldo guitar vocals 1981 2011 Steve Shelley drums 1985 2011 Mark Ibold bass guitar 2006 2011 Former members Edit Anne DeMarinis keyboards 1981 Richard Edson drums 1981 1982 Bob Bert drums 1982 1983 1985 Jim Sclavunos drums 1982 1983 Jim O Rourke bass guitar synthesizer 1999 2005 Timeline EditDiscography EditMain article Sonic Youth discography Studio albums Edit Confusion Is Sex 1983 Bad Moon Rising 1985 EVOL 1986 Sister 1987 Daydream Nation 1988 The Whitey Album 1989 as Ciccone Youth Goo 1990 Dirty 1992 Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star 1994 Washing Machine 1995 A Thousand Leaves 1998 NYC Ghosts amp Flowers 2000 Murray Street 2002 Sonic Nurse 2004 Rather Ripped 2006 The Eternal 2009 References Edit a b c Erlewine Stephen Thomas Sonic Youth Music Biography Credits and Discography AllMusic AllMusic Archived from the original on March 4 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 a b Pelly Jenn November 15 2011 Watch Sonic Youth s Final Show Pitchfork Retrieved August 11 2020 a b Kim Gordon Describes Sonic Youth s Depressing Final Show Gothamist February 24 2015 Retrieved August 11 2020 a b Interview for Humo Magazine Humo December 8 2013 Archived from the original on December 11 2013 Retrieved December 9 2013 Chick 2007 p 42 a b Azerrad 2001 p 234 a b Browne 2008 p 45 a b Browne 2008 p 46 Browne 2008 p 47 Azerrad 2001 p 236 Browne 2008 p 50 53 Browne 2008 p 66 67 Azerrad 2001 p 235 Azerrad 2001 p 237 Growing up in Sonic Youth Salon November 29 2015 Retrieved May 21 2021 BOB BERT PUSSY GALORE LYDIA LUNCH RETROVIRUS EX SONIC YOUTH interview by Peek A Boo magazine www peek a boo magazine be Retrieved May 21 2021 Browne 2008 p 83 86 Browne 2008 p 86 89 Azerrad 2001 p 241 Browne 2008 p 89 90 The Quietus Features At Leisure At Leisure Jim Sclavunos Of Nick Cave amp The Bad Seeds On Tiki Cocktails The Quietus Retrieved May 21 2021 Azerrad 2001 p 245 Christgau Robert March 3 1987 Township Jive Conquers the World The 13th or 14th Annual Pazz amp Jop Critics Poll Village Voice Azerrad 2001 p 246 a b Azerrad 2001 p 248 Azerrad 2001 p 250 Intense Humming Of Evil 10 tracks that reference Charles Manson NME July 30 2019 Retrieved May 21 2021 Azerrad 2001 p 252 Azerrad 2001 pp 252 253 Azerrad 2001 p 258 Azerrad 2001 p 261 Azerrad 2001 pp 262 263 Azerrad 2001 p 265 Neil Young interview Guitar amp Claviers April 1992 Archived from the original on July 3 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 The Whitey Album Archived from the original on March 19 2005 Deming Mark Ciccone Youth Allmusic Archived from the original on October 17 2014 Retrieved August 13 2014 The Whitey Album Ciccone Youth Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 Azerrad 2001 p 266 Robert Christgau Pazz amp Jop 1987 Critics Poll www robertchristgau com Retrieved May 21 2021 Azerrad 2001 p 268 The National Recording Registry 2005 National Recording Preservation Board Library of Congress loc gov Archived from the original on January 6 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Daydream Nation Sonic Youth Awards Allmusic Rovi Corporation Retrieved January 22 2013 Azerrad 2001 p 270 Azerrad 2001 p 271 Sonic Youth Join the Club Features Music The Independent independent co uk June 7 2002 Archived from the original on December 24 2008 Retrieved February 28 2013 Doss Erika Lee 2002 Twentieth Century American Art Oxford University Press p 227 ISBN 978 0192842398 sonic Youth dirty cover kelley Sinclair Tom November 11 1993 No Alternative Rolling Stone Retrieved May 21 2021 a b George Warren amp Romanowski 2005 p 913 Sonic Youth Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star Pitchfork Retrieved May 21 2021 Visconti John January 31 2020 If I Were A Carpenter An Unlikely Tribute Album www culturesonar com Retrieved May 21 2021 With Homerpalooza The Simpsons Made Being Too Old to Rock Cool www vice com Retrieved May 21 2021 Washing Machine EW com Retrieved May 21 2021 A Guide To Sonic Youth Records SYR I Heart Noise January 7 2011 Retrieved May 21 2021 SYR 3 Invito Al Ĉielo Sonic Youth Jim O Rourke Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 A Thousand Leaves Sonic Youth Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 Pelly Jenn September 24 2012 Sonic Youth Recover Stolen Guitars After 13 Years Pitchfork Retrieved May 21 2021 Appleford Steve June 10 2005 100 Los Angeles CityBeat lacitybeat com Archived from the original on October 21 2006 Retrieved February 28 2013 Powers Ann August 29 2000 POP REVIEW Pearl Jam Progressive As Always The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved May 21 2021 Brigitte Fontaine Kekeland Pitchfork Retrieved May 21 2021 All Tomorrow s Parties 1 1 Sonic Youth Curated Various Artists Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 Murray St Sonic Youth Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 KILL YOUR iDOLS 2004 Tribeca Festival Tribeca Retrieved May 21 2021 Browne 2008 p 378 Sonic Nurse Sonic Youth Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 Lollapalooza Canceled Organizers Cite Poor Ticket Sales MTV News Retrieved May 21 2021 Stains on the Sidewalk We Downed Beers in Chinatown with Former Pavement Bassist Mark Ibold www vice com Retrieved May 21 2021 Rather Ripped Sonic Youth Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic retrieved May 21 2021 Sonic Youth Bonnaroo 2006 BrooklynVegan June 28 2006 Retrieved May 21 2021 Maher Dave October 30 2006 Pitchfork Sonic Youth Unveil Rarities Comp Tracklist Pitchfork Archived from the original on November 11 2006 Retrieved February 28 2013 Sonic Youth China Tour 2007 Split Works spli t com Archived from the original on March 17 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Deller Alex Review of Sonic Youth Hits Are for Squares www bbc co uk Retrieved May 21 2021 Solarski Matthew August 26 2008 Sonic Youth Poised to Take Indie Label Plunge Pitchfork Pitchfork Archived from the original on August 28 2008 Retrieved February 28 2013 McDonald John S W October 9 2008 Sonic Youth Goes Indie Again Alice in Chains Returns Observer Observer Archived from the original on October 6 2012 Retrieved February 28 2013 Breihan Tom February 12 2009 Sonic Youth Confirm New Album The Eternal Pitchfork Retrieved May 21 2021 Thompson Paul Phillips Amy December 3 2008 Sonic Youth Work with Led Zep Bassist on Dance Piece News Pitchfork Pitchfork Archived from the original on February 7 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Simon werner a disparu at Cannes Sonic Youth News 70 32 78 35 April 15 2010 Archived from the original on February 23 2012 Retrieved February 28 2013 Ganz Caryn October 14 2011 Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Split Spin Newswire spin com Archived from the original on April 6 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Sonic Youth s Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Marriage Split News nme com nme com October 15 2011 Archived from the original on February 19 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Perpetua Matthew November 28 2011 Lee Ranaldo on the Future of Sonic Youth rollingstone com Archived from the original on February 2 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Sound City Liverpool onstage interview Archived from the original on May 8 2014 Retrieved May 8 2014 Sonic Youth selling Sonic Nurse COVID 19 shirt amp mask for charity Brooklynvegan com Retrieved June 21 2021 Digging Through Sonic Youth s Bandcamp Archives Daily bandcamp com June 18 2020 Retrieved June 21 2021 Peacock Tim January 19 2022 Sonic Youth Announce New Rarities Collection In Out In uDiscover Music Retrieved February 6 2022 a b Azerrad 2001 p 243 Bienstock Bienstock October 2018 Sonic Youth to Sell Guitars and Amps Used Throughout the Band s Career on Reverb com guitarworld Retrieved May 21 2021 Thurston Moore on Art Rock and Early Sonic Youth Vulture com March 28 2014 Retrieved January 20 2018 Remembering Lou Reed Thurston Moore Rolling Stone November 7 2013 Retrieved January 20 2018 500 Greatest Albums of All Time Wire Pink Flag Rolling Stone rollingstone com May 31 2009 Archived from the original on March 5 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Azerrad p 273 sfn error no target CITEREFAzerrad help Faith Thurston Moore dischord com Archived from the original on April 12 2013 Retrieved February 28 2013 Ignacio amp Gonzalo 1994 p 51 guitarplayer Sonic Youth on Their Stripped Down Rather Ripped Album November 14 2006 Archived from the original on July 16 2012 Video Lesson Inside Joni Mitchell s Inventive Guitar Style Acoustic Guitar December 12 2018 Retrieved May 21 2021 Bibliography EditAzerrad Michael 2001 Our Band Could Be Your Life New York Little Brown Browne David 2008 Goodbye 20th Century A Biography of Sonic Youth Da Capo Press ISBN 978 0 306 81515 7 Chick Steve 2007 Psychic Confusion The Sonic Youth Story Omnibus Press Foege Alec 1994 Confusion Is Next The Sonic Youth Story New York St Martin s Press ISBN 9780312113698 Ignacio Julia Gonzalo Jaime 1994 Sonic Youth I Dreamed of Noise Barcelona RUTA 66 George Warren Holly Romanowski Patricia eds 2005 Sonic Youth The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock amp Roll New York City New York Fireside ISBN 978 0 7432 9201 6 Neal Charles ed 1987 Tape Delay Confessions from the Eighties Underground SAF Publishing Ltd pp 93 103 ISBN 978 0 946719 02 0 via the Internet Archive Prendergrast Mark 2000 The Ambient Century From Mahler to Trance the Evolution of Sound in the Electronic Age Bloomsbury ISBN 978 1 58234 134 7 Wild Peter ed 2008 The Empty Page Fiction Inspired by Sonic Youth Serpent s Tail ISBN 978 1 85242 956 0 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonic Youth Wikiquote has quotations related to Sonic Youth Official website Sonic Youth discography at Discogs Sonic Youth at AllMusic Sonic Youth at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sonic Youth amp oldid 1159194970, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.