Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth Biography

Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock group formed in New York City in 1981. The group's lineup today is essentially the core of the group, having been together since 1985, comprising Thurston Moore (guitars and vocals) Lee Ranaldo (guitars, vocals and organ) Kim Gordon (bass guitar, guitar, and vocals) and Steve Shelley (drums). Before Steve's time the group went through several drummers, and additionally from 2000-2005 longtime friend Jim O'Rourke became a full-time member as a multi-instrumentalist. In their early career, Sonic Youth were associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City, but have outlasted most associated bands. Part of the first wave of American noise rock groups, Sonic Youth carried out their interpretation of the punk rock ethos throughout the evolving American indie underground (as the title of their documentary 1991: The Year Punk Broke demonstrates) that focused more on the DIY ethic of the genre rather than its specific sound. They have found moderate mainstream success, and are generally seen as one of the leading alternative rock groups of their time.