Sonic Youth In Profile

Alt and Noise Rock band Sonic Youth formed in New York City in 1981. The group's two guitarists and singers, Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore, both had played for Glenn Branca. Along with bassist/vocalist Kim Gordon and, a few years later, drummer Steve Shelley, Sonic Youth were a pioneer of Noise Rock in the early 1980s. During the decade's latter half, they became one of the most critically beloved acts of the College Rock era. They also found great success in the early '90s, during the heyday of Alternative Rock. Sonic Youth remain active to this day and continue to create strong and highly respected music.

Both Moore and Ranaldo were members of Glenn Branca's No Wave ensembles of the early 80s. Branca placed a particular emphasis on the sound of distorted guitar and amplifier feedback, hallmarks of Noise Rock. The earliest incarnation of Sonic Youth was when Moore and bassist Kim Gordon played as The Arcadians in June of 81. They played with drummer Richard Edson and, in her sole appearance, keyboardist Ann DeMarinis. Ranaldo joined immediately after his performance with Branca's ensemble. Soon after, the band changed its name to Sonic Youth, an homage to The MC5's Fred "Sonic" Smith and Reggae group Big Youth.

Sonic Youth released their first record, a self-titled EP, in 1982. It was issued by Branca's label, Neutral Records. It's considered an oddity, stylistically bridging their No Wave roots with the Noise Rock they were moving toward. When Edson quit after its release, he was replaced by Bob Bert. Bert was fired after their 1982 tour. His replacement, Jim Sclavunos, lasted only through the release of Sonic Youth's first LP, 1983's Confusion Is Sex. Bert then rejoined and the band released Bad Moon Rising in 1985. The group were finding growing success in the UK, but much less so at home. That would soon change.

In 1986, Sonic Youth signed with SST, the legendary Punk label of Black Flag, The Minutemen, and Hüsker Dü. That year, they released EVOL. No longer purely a Noise Rock band, Sonic Youth had evolved melodically, but still bathed their catchier songs in plenty of growling distortion and wailing feedback. 1987's Sister continued this musical trend and garnered volumes of critical praise. In 1988, the band left SST for Enigma, who issued the double-LP Daydream Nation, considered by many to be Sonic Youth's masterpiece. Enigma, however, proved a poor label choice, as it failed to distribute the album well.

In 1990, the year before Nirvana broke Alternative Rock into the mainstream, Sonic Youth signed with major label Geffen Records, retaining complete artistic control of their music. That fall, they released Goo. Their sound was more focused than ever before, and the album reached number 32 in the UK and hit 96 on the US Billboard charts.

Their success continued with 1992's Butch Vig-produced Dirty, which landed at number 6 in the UK. In the loud and distorted era of Grunge, Sonic Youth were right at home. Vig also helmed their next effort, 1994's relatively quiet Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star. Although fans and critics alike had mixed reactions to the record, the album debuted at Billboard's 34 slot.

Sonic Youth headlined Lollapalooza in 1995, and lampooned themselves on The Simpsons the following year. The band had become Alt Rock icons. Washing Machine hit record stores in 1996, and the rave reviews returned, as they would for 1998's A Thousand Leaves. Experimental musician Jim O'Rourke joined the band in 2000 and produced Sonic Youth's NYC Ghosts & Flowers, to mixed results.

O'Rourke also produced their next two albums, Murray Street (2002) and Sonic Nurse (2004), which gained greater acclaim. He departed before 2006's stripped down Rather Ripped. Throughout this era, the band issued six experimental albums on their own SYR label. As always, Sonic Youth continue to expand their musical horizons.