Del.icio.usSonic Youth
Fact Sheet
| Country | USA |
| Years active | 1981- |
Initially inspired by the noise experimentation of Glenn Branca--with whom most of the band have performed--as well as the heavy garage rock/acid-rock of The Stooges, they were known for using a variety of unorthodox guitar tunings, and for applying screwdrivers or other preparations to guitars to alter the instruments' timbre. Supposedly their name mocks the preponderance of bands with the name 'youth' in the title in NYC in the early 1980s. They were associated with the "No Wave" art/music scene in New York City, but have outlasted most associated bands.
Initially quite abraisive, Sonic Youth have gradually incorporated more conventional elements of pop music, while still maintaining an experimental quality.
Current Personnel
- Kim Gordon (bass guitar, guitar, vocals)
- Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals)
- Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals)
- Steve Shelley (drums 1986- present)
- Jim O'Rourke (guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer, laptop) (2000-present)
Managing to stay afloat in the cut-throat music industry financially while maintaining some sense of self and dignity, Sonic Youth have proved highly influential on underground rock music. They were particularly important in the growth of grunge: their 1991 tour with the then-unknown Nirvana being captured in the film 1991: The Year Punk Broke.
In the meantime, members of the band diversified their talents. Kim Gordon started an MTV-adored fashion label X-Girl, based in L.A. Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore have played with many experimental/noise musicians, including William Hooker, Don Dietrich, and Christian Marclay, among others. Steve Shelley has been involved in running the Smells Like Records and SYR record labels, as well as playing in backing bands for Chan Marshall (Cat Power) and Two Dollar Guitar.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band began releasing a number of records on their own Hoboken, NJ-based label SYR. These records featured experimental artists such as Jim O'Rourke, Yoko Ono, and, on Goodbye 20th Century (1999), the works of experimental classical composers such as John Cage, Steve Reich and Christian Wolff.
The band was busy working on their 2002 album Murray Street in their NYC studio during the September 11 Terrorist Attack. They were kept out of the studio for several weeks following the attacks.
The band has advised that its new album Sonic Nurse will be released on June 7, 2004.
Former Personnel
- Richard Edson (drums 1981-1982)
- Bob Bert (drums 1982-1986)
- Jim Sclavunos (drums 1982-1983)
- Ann DeMarinis (keyboards 1981-1982)