sONICyOUTH
As a band that has never had a gold record or a hit single, Sonic Youth is a band that has made a major impact on music since the early 80s.
PRE-SONIC YOUTH
The formation of the band began around 1980, just as Kim Gordon and Thurston began playing together. Thurston was introduced to Anne DeMarinis, a skilled pianist, and the two would bounce ideas and riffs off of each other. Before long, Dave Keay, former drummer in the Coachmen, was invited along and the group began to play early unformed music and developing ideas in 1981. Soon Kim's very simple bass riffs on the instrument she was still learning were introduced to the group. During this time, the group was called Male Bonding, only to change the name to Red Milk by their first show on December 17 at a friend's loft. The sound of this show was a disaster, influencing the band to take another name change to the Arcadians, and fresh start for a band that was able to score a few more gigs. Anne DeMarinis decided to leave the band a few months later which then sparked the final name change- Sonic Youth, a more harsh and violent band without the electric keyboards of the previous member.
The formation of the band began around 1980, just as Kim Gordon and Thurston began playing together. Thurston was introduced to Anne DeMarinis, a skilled pianist, and the two would bounce ideas and riffs off of each other. Before long, Dave Keay, former drummer in the Coachmen, was invited along and the group began to play early unformed music and developing ideas in 1981. Soon Kim's very simple bass riffs on the instrument she was still learning were introduced to the group. During this time, the group was called Male Bonding, only to change the name to Red Milk by their first show on December 17 at a friend's loft. The sound of this show was a disaster, influencing the band to take another name change to the Arcadians, and fresh start for a band that was able to score a few more gigs. Anne DeMarinis decided to leave the band a few months later which then sparked the final name change- Sonic Youth, a more harsh and violent band without the electric keyboards of the previous member.
I always thought it would look real good on paper, with Anne it was always democratic. But I said, 'I'm going to do a show with with Kim and a drummer. And if you want to play, it'd be great. But I'm gonna call it Sonic Youth.' It was the first time I ever really enforced something. It was one of my few dictatorial decisions.
THE BEGINNING
Lee Ranaldo, also involved with the many projects of Glenn Branca, got involved with Thurston and Kim when they met at the Noise music festival which all members played at. The meeting is described as simply looking at each other and deciding to make music. The first sessions were simple riffs and strumming, as the band developed their songs they were joined by drummer Richard Edson and by 1981 began to play shows. The band decided to stick with the name Sonic Youth, and released some of their earliest recordings on Glenn Branca's record label.
The band made an image for themselves through the guitar styles of Ranaldo and Moore, known for using many customized guitars, specific and unusual tunings, and using strange objects under the strings to create sounds like no others.
Lee Ranaldo, also involved with the many projects of Glenn Branca, got involved with Thurston and Kim when they met at the Noise music festival which all members played at. The meeting is described as simply looking at each other and deciding to make music. The first sessions were simple riffs and strumming, as the band developed their songs they were joined by drummer Richard Edson and by 1981 began to play shows. The band decided to stick with the name Sonic Youth, and released some of their earliest recordings on Glenn Branca's record label.
The band made an image for themselves through the guitar styles of Ranaldo and Moore, known for using many customized guitars, specific and unusual tunings, and using strange objects under the strings to create sounds like no others.
EARLY RECOGNITION
By 1983, the band released their first album Confusion is Sex and by 1985 they had released Bad Moon Rising and made a name for themselves in the American rock underground. The band changed drummers multiple times for the first five years, and released their second album EVOL (1986), followed by Sister (1987), Daydream Nation (1988) and The Whitey Album collaboration album (1988).
By 1983, the band released their first album Confusion is Sex and by 1985 they had released Bad Moon Rising and made a name for themselves in the American rock underground. The band changed drummers multiple times for the first five years, and released their second album EVOL (1986), followed by Sister (1987), Daydream Nation (1988) and The Whitey Album collaboration album (1988).
SWITCHING LABELS
By 1990 Sonic Youth was signed to the major label Geffen records. Goo was released, bringing a large audience and inducing the Goo tour, featuring Nirvana as the opening band. After the tour the band left the major label to develop their demanded sound through their self-made labels, helping Nirvana to be signed and reach mainstream music.
After this switch Dirty (1992), Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star (1994) were released without receiving similar acclaim to Goo. The band did not tour for the 1994 album, and soon after Kim and Thurston's daughter, Coco Gordon Moore, was born. Taking time off, Moore released his first solo album Psychic Hearts.
By 1990 Sonic Youth was signed to the major label Geffen records. Goo was released, bringing a large audience and inducing the Goo tour, featuring Nirvana as the opening band. After the tour the band left the major label to develop their demanded sound through their self-made labels, helping Nirvana to be signed and reach mainstream music.
After this switch Dirty (1992), Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star (1994) were released without receiving similar acclaim to Goo. The band did not tour for the 1994 album, and soon after Kim and Thurston's daughter, Coco Gordon Moore, was born. Taking time off, Moore released his first solo album Psychic Hearts.
RETURN
The band returned in 1995 to headline the Lollapalooza tour with songs from their next album, Washing Machine. The tour didn't attracted the audience they wanted, however, the band recalling how many left immediately after seeing Hole perform with drummer Steve Shelly saying: "the lunkheads left and the people who cared about music were there". The tour still funded their next project, Echo Canyon, a studio workshop for playing and recording at their own leisure. Their next release, A Thousand Leaves (1998) was product of the new studio's freeness in recording, displaying less-hooky material. The 1999 album, Goodbye 20th Century, was purely the band making music as interpretations of artists like John Cale and Yoko Ono.
The band returned in 1995 to headline the Lollapalooza tour with songs from their next album, Washing Machine. The tour didn't attracted the audience they wanted, however, the band recalling how many left immediately after seeing Hole perform with drummer Steve Shelly saying: "the lunkheads left and the people who cared about music were there". The tour still funded their next project, Echo Canyon, a studio workshop for playing and recording at their own leisure. Their next release, A Thousand Leaves (1998) was product of the new studio's freeness in recording, displaying less-hooky material. The 1999 album, Goodbye 20th Century, was purely the band making music as interpretations of artists like John Cale and Yoko Ono.
STOLEN GEAR
Shortly after the release of Goodbye 20th Century, the band was subject to a large robbery in Southern California of important gear, critical for performing certain songs live. Although seven guitars have been slowly recovered since 2005, the band had to recreate the unique designs to be able to play songs live.
Shortly after the release of Goodbye 20th Century, the band was subject to a large robbery in Southern California of important gear, critical for performing certain songs live. Although seven guitars have been slowly recovered since 2005, the band had to recreate the unique designs to be able to play songs live.
PROGRESSION
The 2000 album, NYC Ghost and Flowers, was produced by Jim O'Rourke who would play bass on the following tour and officially join the band in 2001. Soon to follow were the albums Murray Street (2002) and Sonic Nurse (2004) reflecting a focus of sound over songcraft in very studio-style albums. By 2005 Jim O'Rourke left the band, and the following Rather Ripped (2006) album had more rock and roll tone. 2006 was also the year the outtakes-and-B-sides albums The Destroyed Room was released, the year the band closed down their studio, Echo Canyon, and introduced new bassist Mark Ibold (formerly of the band Pavement).
The 2000 album, NYC Ghost and Flowers, was produced by Jim O'Rourke who would play bass on the following tour and officially join the band in 2001. Soon to follow were the albums Murray Street (2002) and Sonic Nurse (2004) reflecting a focus of sound over songcraft in very studio-style albums. By 2005 Jim O'Rourke left the band, and the following Rather Ripped (2006) album had more rock and roll tone. 2006 was also the year the outtakes-and-B-sides albums The Destroyed Room was released, the year the band closed down their studio, Echo Canyon, and introduced new bassist Mark Ibold (formerly of the band Pavement).
RECENT YEARS
The last album of the band was The Eternal, which made the band's first top twenty album. The band proceeded to tour until 2011, and broke up as a result of the split of Thurston and Kim. Although they still may not have surfaced as mainstream, 30 years of making music and 15 studio albums later, Sonic Youth remains a staple band in the indie rock culture.
The last album of the band was The Eternal, which made the band's first top twenty album. The band proceeded to tour until 2011, and broke up as a result of the split of Thurston and Kim. Although they still may not have surfaced as mainstream, 30 years of making music and 15 studio albums later, Sonic Youth remains a staple band in the indie rock culture.