Sonic Youth was an American rock band based in New York City, formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon and Lee Ranaldo remained together for the entire history of the band, while Steve Shelley followed a series of short-term drummers in 1985, rounding out the core line-up. Jim O'Rourke was also a member of the band from 1999 to 2005, and Mark Ibold was a member from 2006 to 2011. 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" 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.
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Noise rock, alternative rock, experimental rock, indie rock, post-punk, no wave (early releases) |
| Years active | 1981–2011 |
| Labels | Neutral, Sub Pop, Ecstatic Peace, Blast First, Homestead, SST, Enigma, Au Go Go, Geffen, DGC, SYR, Matador |
| Associated acts | Body/Head, Chelsea Light Moving, Ciccone Youth, Chuck D, Dim Stars, Free Kitten, Harry Crews, Gate, Pavement, Swans |
| Past members | Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Richard Edson, Anne DeMarinis, Bob Bert, Jim Sclavunos, Steve Shelley, Jim O'Rourke, Mark Ibold |
About Sonic Youth
Noise rock group also known as Ciccone Youth that was active from 1981 until 2011. They were considered a pivotal influence for indie rock.
Achievement of Sonic Youth
Their album Daydream Nation received the rare perfect score of 10 from Pitchfork. They headlined the Lollapalooza fest in 1995.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth Category.. Ecstatic Peace! artists.. DGC Records artists.. No wave groups.. Blast First artists.. Homestead Records artists.. SST Records artists.. Matador Records artists.. Geffen Records artists.. American experimental rock groups.. World Music Awards winners.. Sub Pop artists.. American noise rock music groups.. Interscope Records artists.. Musical groups from New York City.
Latest information about Sonic Youth updated on July 28 2021.
