What is Sonic Youth?
{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Sonic Youth | Img = Sonic Youth live 20050707.jpg | Img_size = | Img_capt = Sonic Youth in 2005 | Landscape = yes | Background = group_or_band | Alias = | Origin = [[New York City]], USA | Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[noise rock]], [[experimental rock]], [[No Wave]], [[post-punk]], [[indie rock]] | Years_active = 1981–2011 | Label = Neutral, Ecstatic Peace!, Blast First, Homestead, [[SST Records|SST]], Enigma, DGC, SYR, [[Interscope Records|Interscope]], [[Matador Records|Matador]] | Associated_acts = [[Ciccone Youth]], [[Free Kitten]] | URL = {{URL|http://sonicyouth.com}} | Current_members = Thurston Moore<br />[[Kim Gordon]]<br />Lee Ranaldo<br />Steve Shelley<br />Mark Ibold | Past_members = Anne DeMarinis<br/>Richard Edson<br />Jim Sclavunos<br />Bob Bert<br />[[Jim O'Rourke]] }} '''Sonic Youth''' is an American [[rock music|rock]] band from [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web | url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5474|pure_url=yes}} | title=Sonic Youth Biography | author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas | publisher=AllMusic.com | accessdate=February 1, 2012}}</ref> The band was formed in 1981. In the beginning of their career, the band was associated with the underground art and music scene in New York City, No Wave. Sonic Youth was part of the first wave of American [[noise rock]] groups, but made their own interpretation of [[hardcore punk]] sound. Critics consider Sonic Youth as an important element in the rise of [[indie rock]] movements. The band members are: [[Thurston Moore]] ([[guitar]] and [[singing|vocals]]), [[Kim Gordon]] ([[bass guitar|bass]], vocals, and guitar), [[Lee Ranaldo]] (guitar and vocals), [[Steve Shelley]] ([[Drum kit|drums]]), and [[Mark Ibold]] (guitar and bass). ==Discography== ;Studio albums *''[[Sonic Youth (EP)|Sonic Youth]]'' (1981) *''[[Confusion Is Sex]]'' (1983) *''[[Bad Moon Rising (album)|Bad Moon Rising]]'' (1985) *''[[EVOL]]'' (1986) *''[[S