Sonic Youth
from WikiMusicGuide, the free music guide. Your music wiki.
Sonic Youth was one of the most successful band in the 80's along with its contemporaries, R.E.M. and Hüsker Dü. The bands are a seminal American alternative rock group. One of their unforgettable albums released is Daydream Nation.
Contents |
Members
- Thurston Moore
- Lee Ranaldo
- Kim Gordon
- Steve Shelley
Former members
- Bob Bert
- Richard Edson
- Jim O'Rourke
- Jim Sclavunos
About
Sonic Youth were formed by Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo along with Kim Gordon in New York City in the year 1981. Thurnston was raised in Bethel City while Lee was from Long Island. Both of them arrived in Manhattan during the height of the New York based post-punk no wave movement, and began performing together and separately in various short-lived punk rock groups. Ronaldo and Kim was a member of Glenn Brancas ensemble.
One of the group’s earliest performances is at the part of a 10-day Noise Fest festival in White Columns gallery in Soho, organized by Thurnston. The line up at that time were Thurnston, Kim, Richard Edson for drum and Ann Demarinis for keyboard. Ann left the group shortly afterward. Lee joined the ensemble immediately thereafter. Thurnston came up with the name, Sonic Youth. The group recorded their first EP, under Neutral Records. Richard left the band to pursue an acting career in 1983. He was replaced by Bob Bert. He was the drummer on the group's debut album, Confusion is Sex.
Bad Moon Rising was released in 1985 under Blast First which receive good reviews from underground music press. After the released, Bob left the group and was replaced by Steve Shelley who became the group's permanent drummer. Their album had attracted significant attention throughout the American underground, including some offers from major labels. But they choose to sign with SST, releasing their next album, EVOL in 1986. Daydream Nation under Enigma Records was released in 1988. The single, Teenage Riot was a big hit.
Released in 1990, Goo, the band's first major label album, was a big hit. It was the band's first album to reach the Top 100. Their next album, Dirty was also a major hit. Sonic Youth quickly became hailed as one of the godfathers of the alternative rock that had become the most popular form of rock music in the U.S., and Dirty became a hit along with the exposure, eventually going gold. The album's single, 100%, Youth Against Fascism and Sugar Kane was a hit. Their follow up album, Washing Machine started a major shift from the band, away from their punk roots.
During the late 90's and early 2000s, the band began releasing a series of highly experimental records on their own recording outfit Hoboken, New Jersey-based label SYR. The music was mostly instrumental, and the album and track titles and even the liner notes and credits were used in different languages such as SYR1 was in French, SYR2 in Dutch, SYR3 in Esperanto, SYR5 in Japanese, and SYR6 in Lithuanian. SYR3 was the first for Jim O'Rourke, who went on to become an official band member. Their next album, Murray Street was released in 2002. In 2004, they released another album, Sonic Nurse. In late 2005, Jim left the group to pursue a career as a film director. Rather Ripped was released in 2006. Their latest album, The Destroyed Room: B-sides and Rarities was released last December 12, 2006.
Awards & Certifications
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Modern Rock Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Teenage Riot | 20 |
| 1990 | Kool Thing | 7 |
| 1992 | 100% | 4 |
| 1994 | Bull in The Heather | 13 |
| 1994 | Superstar | 26 |
News
Tours & Concerts
2008 Tours
Feb 16, 2008 Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Feb 18, 2008 Enmore Theatre, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
Feb 19, 2008 Enmore Theatre, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
Feb 20, 2008 Metro Nightclub, Melbourn, Australia
Feb 21, 2008 Metro Nightclub, Melbourne, Australia
Feb 22, 2008 Fowler's Live, Adelaide, Australia
Feb 23, 2008 Perth International Arts Festival, Perth, Australia
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
 Sonic Youth
March 1982 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Mini Plot | SST |
| 1986 | Starpower | SST |
| 1991 | Dirty Boots | DGC |
Compilations & Live Releases
 |
 |
 |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- They were one of the groups who appeared as special guest voices on The Simpsons in the episode Homerpalooza.
- Macaulay Culkin was featured in the video for the Sonic Youth song Sunday.
- Actress Chloe Sevigny was featured in the video for Sugar Kane.
- Actor Jason Lee appears as a skateboarder in the Music video of 100%.
