Sonic Youth, initially comprising of guitarist /
vocalists
Thurston
Moore and
Lee
Ranaldo, guitarist / bassist / vocalist
Kim
Gordon and drummer Richard Edson, were formed in New York City in 1981. A product
of the No-Wave music scene of the late 1970s, the group had their roots in abrasive,
experimental music, with Moore and Ranaldo having previously worked with the
experimental composer Glenn Branca. The band were joined in 1985 by drummer
Steve
Shelley, and have now recorded 14 albums together, as well as many side and solo
projects. Their work has been consistently challenging and innovative, and they
are widely regarded as one of the most intriguing and influential bands of their
time.