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They're one of the most influentialbands in pop history,
so why is it that Sonic Youth have never become anything
more than a cult phenomenon?
asks Desmond Sampson.
Ask anyone about Sonic Youth and they'll probably mumble something
about an american underground band who play slightly warped music.
Ask a musician about Sonic Youth and they'll probably praise one
of the few, truly pioneering acts in the pop industry; a band
who've inspired a generation of musicians since they formed in
New York back in 1981.
Across 14 often beguiling and idiosyncratic albums, they've developed
a pop philosophy that's spawned the Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Sebadoh,
and Pavement, acted as a catalyst for grunge group Nirvana and influenced
New Zealand's own Chills, Bats and JPSE.
Yet, despite their influential role and legendary cult status, Sonic Youth's
unrivalled inspiration has beeen marred by their spectacular commercial under-
achievement, save their Madonna whimsy, Into The Groovy, under the aegis of
Ciccone Youth, or their classic, Kool Thing.
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