SONIC YOUTH - MURRAY STREET

Sonic Youth was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. The founding members were Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (lead guitar, vocals), and Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals). Steve Shelley joined in 1985 as drummer after a series of earlier drummers. Jim O’Rourke (bass, guitar, keyboards) was a member from 1999 to 2005, and Mark Ibold (bass, guitar) joined in 2006 and remained until the band’s dissolution in 2011. The band emerged from the New York no wave and experimental music scene before developing into a prominent act in noise rock and later alternative and indie rock. They were known for extensive use of alternative guitar tunings and prepared guitars, in which objects such as drumsticks and screwdrivers were placed on or between strings to alter timbre. Sonic Youth were influential in shaping alternative rock and indie rock and gained initial recognition through underground releases and association with SST Records in the late 1980s. After signing with DGC in 1990, they reached a wider mainstream audience and headlined the 1995 Lollapalooza festival. The band’s early development involved multiple name changes, including Room Tone, the Coachmen, Male Bonding, Red Milk, and the Arcadians, before the name Sonic Youth was adopted in 1981. The name was derived from MC5 guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith and reggae artist Big Youth. Early performances included appearances at the Noise Fest in New York, where Lee Ranaldo was seen performing with Glenn Branca’s ensemble and subsequently joined the group. Early recordings included the self-titled EP "Sonic Youth" (1982), which displayed a relatively conventional post-punk style compared to later releases. The band’s debut studio album "Confusion Is Sex" (1983) featured a more abrasive and dissonant sound. During this period, the band experienced frequent drummer changes, including Bob Bert and Jim Sclavunos, before Steve Shelley became the permanent drummer. The album "Bad Moon Rising" (1985) marked a transitional phase in their sound and included contributions from Lydia Lunch on the track "Death Valley '69". After signing with SST Records, Sonic Youth released "EVOL" (1986) and "Sister" (1987), which contributed to their growing critical recognition. The side project Ciccone Youth, formed with Mike Watt, produced recordings including covers of Madonna songs and released the album "The Whitey Album" (1988). The double album "Daydream Nation" (1988) is widely regarded as one of their most significant works and included the single "Teen Age Riot", which received substantial college radio airplay and critical acclaim. Following distribution issues with independent labels, the band signed with a major label and released "Goo" (1990), which included the single "Kool Thing" featuring Chuck D, and "Dirty" (1992), which further increased their visibility in mainstream alternative rock. Later releases included "Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star" (1994), "Washing Machine" (1995), and "A Thousand Leaves" (1998). During the late 1990s, they issued a series of experimental recordings under the SYR title, including collaborations with Jim O’Rourke, who later joined the band as a full member. In July 1999, Sonic Youth’s instruments and stage equipment were stolen during a tour in California, forcing the band to replace much of their gear. They subsequently released "NYC Ghosts & Flowers" (2000) and later "Murray Street" (2002), on which Jim O’Rourke became a full-time member. The album "Sonic Nurse" (2004) followed. O’Rourke left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Mark Ibold, initially for touring and later as a full member. The album "Rather Ripped" (2006) was released after O’Rourke’s departure and was followed by the compilation "The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities" (2006), marking the end of their work with Geffen Records. From 2007 onward, Sonic Youth recorded for Matador Records and released "The Eternal" (2009). They also participated in collaborations, soundtrack work, and multimedia projects, including film and dance-related compositions. The band performed their final concert on November 14, 2011, in São Paulo, Brazil, following the separation of Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore. After this performance, Sonic Youth ceased activity and did not continue as a band. Subsequent releases included archival material and posthumous compilations, including the EP "In/out/In" (2022), along with the release of Thurston Moore’s memoir "Sonic Life: A Memoir" (2023). Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youth Studio albums Sonic Youth (1982) Confusion Is Sex (1983) Bad Moon Rising (1985) EVOL (1986) Sister (1987) Daydream Nation (1988) The Whitey Album (1989) Goo (1990) Dirty (1992) Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star (1994) Washing Machine (1995) A Thousand Leaves (1998) NYC Ghosts & Flowers (2000) Murray Street (2002) Sonic Nurse (2004) Rather Ripped (2006) The Eternal (2009) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.