Editing Sonic Youth (section)

== History ==
=== Formation and early history: 1977–1981 ===
Shortly after guitarist [[Thurston Moore]] moved to New York City in early 1977, he formed the group Room Tone with his roommates; they later changed their name to the Coachmen.{{sfn|Chick|2007|p=42}} After the breakup of the Coachmen, Moore began jamming with [[Stanton Miranda]], whose band, CKM, featured [[Kim Gordon]].{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=234}} Moore and Gordon formed a band, appearing under names like Male Bonding,{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=45}} Red Milk,{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=45}} and the Arcadians{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=46}} before settling on Sonic Youth{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=47}} in mid-1981. The name came from combining the nickname of [[MC5]]'s [[Fred "Sonic" Smith]] with [[reggae]] artist [[Big Youth]].{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=46}} Gordon later recalled that "as soon as Thurston came up with the name Sonic Youth, a certain sound that was more of what we wanted to do came about."{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=236}} The band played [[Noise Fest]] in June 1981 at New York's [[White Columns]] gallery,{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=50-53}} where [[Lee Ranaldo]] was playing as a member of [[Glenn Branca]]'s electric guitar ensemble. Their performance impressed Moore, who described them as "the most ferocious guitar band that I had ever seen in my life",{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=234}} and he invited Ranaldo to join Sonic Youth.{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=66-67}} The new trio played three songs at the festival later in the week without a drummer. Each band member took turns playing the drums, until they met drummer [[Richard Edson]].{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=235}} Anne DeMarinis was in Sonic Youth for a brief period in 1981 as a keyboardist when they performed for the first time at the [[Noise Fest]] at the [[White Columns]] art space. She contributed vocals, along with Gordon and Moore, on three (known) Sonic Youth songs performed once, and only live on June 18, 1981. The songs are entitled "Noisefest #1", "Noisefest #2", and "Noisefest #3". She also played guitar at that same show on the song entitled "Noisefest #4". DeMarinis left the band before their [[Sonic Youth (album)|self-titled debut EP]] was recorded in December 1981.

=== Early releases: 1982–1985 ===
Branca signed Sonic Youth as the first act on his record label [[Neutral Records]]. In December 1981, the group recorded five songs at New York's [[Radio City Music Hall]]. The material was released as the EP ''[[Sonic Youth (EP)|Sonic Youth]]'' which'','' while largely ignored, was sent to a few key members of the American music press, who gave it uniformly favorable reviews.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=237}} The album featured a relatively conventional post-punk style, in contrast to their later releases. Edson then quit the group for an acting career<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edson |first=Richard |date=2015-11-29 |title=Growing up in Sonic Youth |url=https://www.salon.com/2015/11/28/growing_up_in_sonic_youth_partner/ |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Bob Bert]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volohov |first=Danil |date=July 6, 2019 |title=One man's noise is another man's symphony! |url=https://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/interviews/bob-bert-pussy-galore-lydia-lunch-retrovirus-ex-sonic-youth-2019/ |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be |language=en}}</ref>

During their early days as part of the New York music scene, Sonic Youth formed a friendship with fellow New York noise rock band [[Swans (band)|Swans]].{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=83-86}} The bands shared a rehearsal space, and Sonic Youth embarked on its first tour in November 1982 supporting Swans.{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=86-89}} During a second tour with Swans the following month, tensions ran high and Moore constantly criticized Bert's drumming, which he felt was not "in the pocket".{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=241}} Bert was fired afterwards{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=89-90}} and replaced by [[Jim Sclavunos]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Quietus {{!}} Features {{!}} At Leisure {{!}} At Leisure: Jim Sclavunos Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds On Tiki Cocktails|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/24844-jim-sclavunos-nick-cave-the-bad-seeds-interview-tiki-cocktail|access-date=2021-05-21|website=The Quietus|date=June 25, 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> who played drums on the band's first studio album, 1983's ''[[Confusion Is Sex]]'', which featured a louder and more dissonant sound than their debut EP. Sonic Youth set up a tour of Europe for the summer of 1983. Sclavunos, however, quit the band after only a few months. The group asked Bert to rejoin, and he agreed on the condition that he would not be fired again after the tour's conclusion.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=245}} Bert went on to play on the band's ''[[Kill Yr Idols]]'' EP later in 1983.

Sonic Youth were well received in Europe, but the New York press largely ignored the local [[noise rock]] scene. Eventually, as the press began to take notice of the genre, Sonic Youth was grouped with bands like [[Big Black]], the [[Butthole Surfers]], and [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]] under the "pigfucker" label by ''[[Village Voice]]'' editor [[Robert Christgau]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=March 3, 1987 |title=Township Jive Conquers the World: The 13th (or 14th) Annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj86.php |newspaper=[[Village Voice]]}}</ref> Another critic from ''The Village Voice'' panned a substandard September concert in New York.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Gordon wrote a scornful letter to the newspaper, criticizing it for not supporting its local music scene, to which Christgau responded that the paper was not obligated to support them. Moore retaliated by renaming the song "[[Kill Yr Idols]]" to "I Killed Christgau with My Big Fucking Dick", before the two eventually sorted out their differences amicably.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=246}}

Closing a second European tour in late 1983, Sonic Youth's disastrous London debut saw the band's equipment malfunction and Moore destroying it onstage in frustration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Killian |date=2007-09-02 |title=No, you're not daydreaming... |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/02/popandrock1 |access-date=2025-01-27 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> When they returned to New York they were so popular that they were able to book local gigs regularly.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=248}} The following year, Moore and Gordon were married, and Sonic Youth recorded ''[[Bad Moon Rising (album)|Bad Moon Rising]]'', a self-described "[[Americana (music)|Americana]]" album that served as a reaction to the state of the nation at the time.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=250}} The album, recorded by [[Martin Bisi]], was built around transitional pieces that Moore and Ranaldo had come up with in order to take up time onstage during tuning breaks;{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=248}} as a result, there are almost no gaps between the songs on the records. ''Bad Moon Rising'' featured an appearance by [[Lydia Lunch]] in "[[Death Valley '69]]", which was inspired by the [[Charles Manson]] Family murders.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-30|title=Intense Humming Of Evil - 10 tracks that reference Charles Manson|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/intense-humming-of-evil-10-tracks-that-reference-charles-manson-48034|access-date=2021-05-21|website=NME|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Due to a falling-out with Branca over disputed royalty payments from their Neutral releases, Sonic Youth signed with [[Homestead Records]] in the US and [[Blast First]] in the UK (which founder [[Paul Smith (music industry)|Paul Smith]] created simply so he could distribute the band's records in Europe).{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=252}} While the New York press ignored ''Bad Moon Rising'' upon its 1985 release, now viewing the band as too arty and pretentious, Sonic Youth gained critical acclaim in the United Kingdom, where the new album sold 5,000 copies.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|pp=252–253}}

Claiming he was bored with playing ''Bad Moon Rising'' live in its entirety for over a year, Bert quit the group and was replaced by [[Steve Shelley]], formerly of the [[punk rock|punk]] group [[the Crucifucks]]. Sonic Youth was so impressed with Shelley's drumming after seeing him play live that they hired him without an audition.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=258}} Bert and Shelley both appeared in the music video for "Death Valley '69", as Bert had performed the drums on the song, but Shelley was the group's drummer when the video was filmed.

=== SST and Enigma: 1986–1989 ===
[[File:Sonic Youth (1987 Monica Dee portrait).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=|Sonic Youth in a publicity photo issued by SST to promote their fourth album, ''[[Sister (Sonic Youth album)|Sister]]'' (1987). Left to right: Shelley, Ranaldo, Moore, Gordon.]]

Sonic Youth had long appreciated [[SST Records]]; Ranaldo said, "It was the first record company we were on that we really would have given anything to be on."{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=261}} Sonic Youth signed with the label in early 1986 and began recording ''[[Evol (Sonic Youth album)|EVOL]]'' with [[Martin Bisi]]. The band gained national attention when signing with SST, making them the first band from the New York underground to gain such notice.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|pp=262–263}} The mainstream music press subsequently began to take notice of the band. Robert Palmer of ''[[The New York Times]]'' declared that Sonic Youth was "making the most startlingly original guitar-based music since [[Jimi Hendrix]]" and even ''[[People (American magazine)|People]]'' reviewed ''EVOL'', describing the album as the "aural equivalent of a [[toxic waste]] dump."{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=265}} The album was later called "a classic" by [[Neil Young]].<ref>{{cite journal|date=April 1992|title=<nowiki>[Neil Young interview]</nowiki>|url=http://www.thrasherswheat.org/ptma/Frenchguitar492pt2.htm|url-status=live|journal=Guitar & Claviers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703132857/http://www.thrasherswheat.org/ptma/Frenchguitar492pt2.htm|archive-date=July 3, 2013|access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref>

Around the same time, the band collaborated with [[Mike Watt]] under the alias Ciccone Youth, which was a play on the names Sonic Youth and Ciccone, the surname of pop singer [[Madonna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/lp/lp7.html |title=The Whitey Album |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050319232613/http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/lp/lp7.html |archive-date=2005-03-19 }}</ref> Sonic Youth released [[The Whitey Album#1986 Ciccone Youth single|a single]] in 1986 and [[The Whitey Album|a studio album]] in 1988 under the Ciccone Youth name.<ref name="all">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ciccone-youth-mn0000120960/biography |title=Ciccone Youth |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=August 13, 2014 |last=Deming |first=Mark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017075111/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ciccone-youth-mn0000120960/biography |archive-date=October 17, 2014 }}</ref> The 1986 single, "Into the Groove(y)", was a cover of Madonna's "[[Into the Groove]]" and was preceded by "Tuff Titty Rap". The flip side of the record was Watt's cover of Madonna's "[[Burning Up (Madonna song)|Burning Up]]" which had the altered title of "Burnin' Up". ''[[The Whitey Album]]'' included both Sonic Youth songs from the single plus a demo version of "Burnin' Up". The album also contained a cover of [[Robert Palmer]]'s "[[Addicted to Love (song)|Addicted to Love]]" which was recorded in a [[karaoke]] booth.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Whitey Album - Ciccone Youth {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-whitey-album-mw0000199600|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref>

The 1987 Sonic Youth album ''[[Sister (Sonic Youth album)|Sister]]'' was a loose concept album partly inspired by the life and works of science fiction writer [[Philip K. Dick]]. The "sister" of the title was Dick's [[fraternal twin]], who died shortly after her birth and whose memory haunted Dick his entire life.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=266}} ''Sister'' sold 60,000 copies and received very positive reviews, becoming the first Sonic Youth album to crack the Top 20 of the ''[[Village Voice]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Pazz & Jop critics poll.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 1987: Critics Poll|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres87.php|access-date=2021-05-21|website=www.robertchristgau.com}}</ref>

Despite their critical success, the band became dissatisfied with SST due to concerns about payments and other administrative practices.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=268}} Sonic Youth decided to release their next record on [[Enigma Records]], which was distributed by [[Capitol Records]] and partly owned by [[EMI]]. The 1988 double LP ''[[Daydream Nation]]'' was a critical success that earned Sonic Youth substantial acclaim. The album came in second on the ''Village Voice'' Pazz & Jop poll and topped the year-end album lists at ''NME'', ''[[CMJ]]'', and ''[[Melody Maker]]''. In 2005, it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the [[Library of Congress]] to be added to the [[National Recording Registry]].<ref name="congress2005">{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/registry/nrpb-2005reg.html |title=The National Recording Registry 2005 : National Recording Preservation Board (Library of Congress) |work=loc.gov |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106083232/http://www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/registry/nrpb-2005reg.html |archive-date=January 6, 2013 }}</ref> The lead single from the album, "[[Teen Age Riot]]", was their first song to receive significant airplay on modern rock and college rock stations, reaching number 20 on the ''Billboard'' [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/daydream-nation-mw0000652888/awards|title=Daydream Nation – Sonic Youth: Awards|work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|access-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref> A number of prominent music periodicals including ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' hailed ''Daydream Nation'' as one of the best albums of the decade and named Sonic Youth as the "Hot Band" in its "Hot" issue.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=270}} Unfortunately, distribution problems arose and ''Daydream Nation'' was often difficult to find in stores. Moore considered Enigma a "cheap-jack Mafioso outfit" and the band began looking for a major label deal.{{sfn|Azerrad|2001|p=271}}

=== Major label career and becoming alternative icons: 1990–1999 ===
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In 1990, Sonic Youth released ''[[Goo (album)|Goo]]'', their first album for [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]. The album featured the single "[[Kool Thing]]" on which [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy's]] [[Chuck D]] made a guest appearance. The record was considered much more accessible than their previous works<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/sonic-youth-join-the-club-644622.html |title=Sonic Youth: Join the Club – Features, Music – The Independent |date=June 7, 2002 |work=[[The Independent|independent.co.uk]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224055743/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/sonic-youth-join-the-club-644622.html |archive-date=December 24, 2008 }}</ref> and became the band's best-selling record to date.

In 1992, the band released ''[[Dirty (Sonic Youth album)|Dirty]]'' on the [[DGC Records|DGC]] label. Their influence as tastemakers continued with their discovery of acclaimed [[skateboard]] [[music video|video]] director [[Spike Jonze]], who they recruited for the video for "[[100% (Sonic Youth song)|100%]]", which also featured skateboarder turned actor [[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]]. That song and "JC" discuss the [[murder of Joe Cole]], a friend who worked with Black Flag as a roadie.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gordon |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Gordon |title=Girl in a Band |publisher=Faber & Faber |year=2015 |isbn=9780571309368}}</ref> The album features artwork by Los Angeles–based artist [[Mike Kelley (artist)|Mike Kelley]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/twentiethcentury00doss |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/twentiethcentury00doss/page/227 227] |quote=sonic Youth dirty cover kelley. |title=Twentieth-Century American Art |last=Doss |first=Erika Lee |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2002 |isbn=978-0192842398 }}</ref> ''Dirty'' features a guest appearance by [[Ian MacKaye]] on the track "Youth Against Fascism". In 1993, the band contributed the track "Burning Spear" to the AIDS benefit album ''[[No Alternative]]'', produced by the [[Red Hot Organization]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sinclair|first=Tom|date=1993-11-11|title=No Alternative|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/no-alternative-187472/|access-date=2021-05-21|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1994, the band released ''[[Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star]]'', their best-charting release in the United States to date at No. 34 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].{{sfn|George-Warren|Romanowski|2005|p=913}} Moore and Gordon's daughter, Coco Hayley Moore, was born later that year, and many of the songs from the album were never played live because there was never a full tour to support the album due to Gordon's pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic Youth: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sonic-youth-experimental-jet-set-trash-and-no-star/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}</ref> In 1994, the band released a cover of [[the Carpenters]]' 1971 hit "[[Superstar (Carpenters song)|Superstar]]" for the tribute album ''[[If I Were a Carpenter (tribute album)|If I Were a Carpenter]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Visconti|first=John|date=2020-01-31|title="If I Were A Carpenter": An Unlikely Tribute Album|url=https://www.culturesonar.com/if-i-were-a-carpenter-an-unlikely-tribute-album/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=www.culturesonar.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The band headlined the 1995 [[Lollapalooza]] festival with [[Hole (band)|Hole]] and [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]].{{sfn|George-Warren|Romanowski|2005|p=913}} By that time, alternative rock had gained considerable mainstream attention, and the festival was parodied in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Homerpalooza]]" in 1996, which featured voiceovers from the band. They also performed the final credits theme for that episode.<ref>{{Cite web|title=With 'Homerpalooza,' 'The Simpsons' Made Being Too Old to Rock Cool|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/with-homerpalooza-the-simpsons-made-being-too-old-to-rock-cool/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Vice.com|date=October 16, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

The album ''[[Washing Machine (album)|Washing Machine]]'' was released in 1995 and represented a shift in Sonic Youth's sound, away from their punk rock roots and toward experimental and longer [[Jam band|jam-based]] arrangements.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Washing Machine|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/09/29/washing-machine/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=EW.com|language=en}}</ref> Starting in 1997 they released a series of improvisational albums grouped under the title ''SYR'' with song titles and liner notes in various languages.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-01-07|title=A Guide To…Sonic Youth Records / SYR|url=https://ihrtn.net/a-guide-to-sonic-youth-records-syr/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=I Heart Noise}}</ref> ''[[SYR3: Invito al ĉielo]],'' released in 1998, featured [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]] who later became an official band member.<ref>{{Citation|title=SYR 3: Invito Al Ĉielo - Sonic Youth, Jim O'Rourke {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/syr-3-mw0000036155|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> Various songs from the ''SYR'' series were added to Sonic Youth's live performances, and others inspired tracks on the next proper Sonic Youth album, ''[[A Thousand Leaves]]'', released in 1998.<ref>{{Citation|title=A Thousand Leaves - Sonic Youth {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-thousand-leaves-mw0000596964|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref>

=== Later DGC period: 2000–2006 ===
[[File:Sonic Youth (Copenhagen 2000) (3674544213).jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|Sonic Youth performing in Copenhagen in 2000]]
On July 4, 1999, Sonic Youth's instruments and stage equipment were stolen during a tour in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California. Almost 30 guitars and basses were stolen; some were recovered over the next 13 years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pelly|first=Jenn|title=Sonic Youth Recover Stolen Guitars After 13 Years|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/47906-sonic-youth-recover-stolen-guitars-after-13-years/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Pitchfork|date=September 24, 2012|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=2699&IssueNum=122 |title=100% – Los Angeles CityBeat |last=Appleford |first=Steve |date=June 10, 2005 |work=[[LA CityBeat|lacitybeat.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021015511/http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=2699&IssueNum=122 |archive-date=October 21, 2006 |url-status=usurped |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> Forced to start from scratch with new instruments, they released the album ''[[NYC Ghosts & Flowers]]'' in 2000 and opened for [[Pearl Jam]] during the east coast leg of that band's 2000 tour.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Powers|first=Ann|date=2000-08-29|title=POP REVIEW; Pearl Jam, Progressive As Always|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/29/arts/pop-review-pearl-jam-progressive-as-always.html|access-date=2021-05-21|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2001, Sonic Youth collaborated with French avant-garde singer and poet [[Brigitte Fontaine]] on her album ''[[Kékéland]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brigitte Fontaine: Kekeland|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3143-kekeland/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}</ref> The following year, Sonic Youth participated in the first outing of the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music festival and curating the ensuing compilation album.<ref>{{Citation|title=All Tomorrow's Parties 1.1: Sonic Youth Curated - Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/all-tomorrows-parties-11-sonic-youth-curated-mw0000592380|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> The album ''[[Murray Street (album)|Murray Street]]'' was released in 2002 and saw the addition of Jim O'Rourke as a full-time member on guitar, bass, and keyboards.<ref>{{Citation|title=Murray St. - Sonic Youth {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/murray-st-mw0000660436|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> During this period the band participated in the production of the documentary film ''[[Kill Your Idols (film)|Kill Your Idols]]'', directed and produced by [[Scott Crary]] and covering the history of punk rock in New York City. The film was released in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KILL YOUR iDOLS. {{!}} 2004 Tribeca Festival|url=https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/512d01dd1c7d76e0460024e4-kill-your-idols|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Tribeca}}</ref>

In 2003 Sonic Youth released a split 7-inch single with [[Erase Errata]].{{sfn|Browne|2008|p=378}} The next Sonic Youth album, ''[[Sonic Nurse]]'', was also released in 2004.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sonic Nurse - Sonic Youth {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-nurse-mw0000333060|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> The band was slated to perform in the 2004 [[Lollapalooza]] tour along with acts such as [[Pixies (band)|the Pixies]] and [[the Flaming Lips]], but the tour was canceled due to lackluster ticket sales.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lollapalooza Canceled; Organizers Cite Poor Ticket Sales|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1488569/lollapalooza-canceled-organizers-cite-poor-ticket-sales/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110235212/http://www.mtv.com/news/1488569/lollapalooza-canceled-organizers-cite-poor-ticket-sales/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2014|access-date=2021-05-21|website=MTV News|language=en}}</ref> O'Rourke departed in 2006 and was replaced by bassist [[Mark Ibold]] for touring purposes,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stains on the Sidewalk: We Downed Beers in Chinatown with Former Pavement Bassist Mark Ibold|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pavement-mark-ibold-interview-secret-history-drinking/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Vice.com|date=August 13, 2015 |language=en}}</ref> but Ibold later became a full-time member. He had earlier been part of [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]] and worked with Gordon in [[Free Kitten]].

[[File:Sonicyouthcolor20 (2756189278).jpg|thumb|Additional guitarist Jim O'Rourke with the band in concert in 2004]]
''[[Rather Ripped]]'' was released in 2006 and was noted as a return to the band's earlier sound, due both to the departure of O'Rourke and the recovery of some of the instruments that had been stolen in 1999.<ref>{{Citation|title=Rather Ripped - Sonic Youth {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rather-ripped-mw0000775736|language=en|access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> On May 9, 2006, Kim and Thurston made a special guest appearance on WB teen drama show “Gilmore Girls” (season 6, episode 22), performing an acoustic version of their new song, “What a Waste”, alongside their daughter Coco. Sonic Youth played the [[Bonnaroo Festival]] later that year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 28, 2006|title=Sonic Youth @ Bonnaroo 2006 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sonic-youth-bon/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=BrooklynVegan|language=en}}</ref> In December 2006 they released ''[[The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities]]''. The compilation featured tracks previously available only on [[gramophone record|vinyl]], tracks from limited-release compilations, [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]] to international singles, and some material that had never before been released. This marked the band's final Geffen release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/39443/Sonic_Youth_Unveil_Rarities_Comp_Tracklist |title=Pitchfork: Sonic Youth Unveil Rarities Comp Tracklist |last=Maher |first=Dave |date=October 30, 2006 |work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111145357/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/39443/Sonic_Youth_Unveil_Rarities_Comp_Tracklist |archive-date=November 11, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref>

=== Matador period: 2007–2011 ===

In 2007, the band became one of the earliest big-name rock bands to play in China when they were brought in for a tour by the music company [[Split Works]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/sonic-youth-china-tour-2007/ |title=Sonic Youth China Tour 2007_Split Works |work=[[Split Works|spli-t.com]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317032710/http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/sonic-youth-china-tour-2007/ |archive-date=March 17, 2013 }}</ref> In 2008 they released a compilation album on [[Starbucks|Starbucks Music]], called ''[[Hits Are for Squares]]'', with the tracks selected by other celebrities.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Deller|first=Alex|title=Review of Sonic Youth - Hits Are for Squares|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/dzq4/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> Later in 2008, Sonic Youth ended their relationship with [[Geffen Records|Geffen]], due to dissatisfaction with how the label had promoted their last several albums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/144958-sonic-youth-poised-to-take-indie-label-plunge |title=Sonic Youth Poised to Take Indie Label Plunge <nowiki>|</nowiki> Pitchfork |last=Solarski |first=Matthew |date=August 26, 2008 |work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828201345/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/144958-sonic-youth-poised-to-take-indie-label-plunge |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> They then signed with independent label [[Matador Records]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2008/09/sonic-youth-goes-indie-again-alice-in-chains-returns/ |title=Sonic Youth Goes Indie Again; Alice in Chains Returns <nowiki>|</nowiki> Observer |last=McDonald |first=John S. W. |date=October 9, 2008 |work=[[observer.com|Observer]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006194255/http://observer.com/2008/09/sonic-youth-goes-indie-again-alice-in-chains-returns/ |archive-date=October 6, 2012 }}</ref> which released the album ''[[The Eternal (album)|The Eternal]]'' in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=Sonic Youth Confirm New Album: The Eternal|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/34610-sonic-youth-confirm-new-album-the-eternal/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Pitchfork|date=February 12, 2009|language=en-US}}</ref> During this period they collaborated with [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] on the soundtrack for a performance at [[Merce Cunningham Dance Company]] to honor the company's founder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/34166-sonic-youth-work-with-led-zep-bassist-on-dance-piece/ |title=Sonic Youth Work with Led Zep Bassist on Dance Piece <nowiki>| News |</nowiki> Pitchfork |last1=Thompson |first1=Paul |last2=Phillips |first2=Amy |date=December 3, 2008 |work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207054115/http://pitchfork.com/news/34166-sonic-youth-work-with-led-zep-bassist-on-dance-piece/ |archive-date=February 7, 2013 }}</ref> In 2010 the band scored and composed the soundtrack of the French thriller-drama ''[[Lights Out (2010 film)|Simon Werner a Disparu]]'', which premiered at the [[Cannes International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://70.32.78.35/sonicnews/?p=773 |title=<nowiki>'</nowiki>''Simon werner a disparu''<nowiki>'</nowiki> at Cannes " Sonic Youth News |date=April 15, 2010 |work=70.32.78.35 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223071503/http://70.32.78.35/sonicnews/?p=773 |archive-date=February 23, 2012 }}</ref> The soundtrack was released in 2011 as ''[[SYR9: Simon Werner a Disparu]]'', an entry in experimental ''SYR'' series.

=== Disbandment: 2011–2013===
[[File:Sonic Youth Chile 2011.png|alt=|thumb|Sonic Youth performing in Santiago, Chile in November 2011]]
On October 14, 2011, Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore announced that they had separated after 27 years of marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/10/kim-gordon-and-thurston-moore-announce-split/ |title=Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Split <nowiki>|</nowiki> ''Spin'' <nowiki>|</nowiki> Newswire |last=Ganz |first=Caryn |date=October 14, 2011 |work=[[Spin (magazine)|spin.com]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406211946/https://www.spin.com/2011/10/kim-gordon-and-thurston-moore-announce-split/ |archive-date=April 6, 2013 }}</ref> Sonic Youth's label Matador explained that plans for the band remained "uncertain", despite previously hinting that they would record new material later in the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/sonic-youth/59821 |title=Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Marriage Split <nowiki>| News |</nowiki> nme.com |date=October 15, 2011 |work=[[NME|nme.com]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219063355/http://www.nme.com/news/sonic-youth/59821 |archive-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> Sonic Youth performed their final concert on November 14, 2011, at the [[SWU Music & Arts]] Festival in [[Itu, São Paulo]], Brazil.<ref name="pitchfork.com"/><ref name="gothamist.com"/> The following week, Lee Ranaldo stated in an interview that Sonic Youth would be "ending for a while".<ref name="Lee Ranaldo RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lee-ranaldo-on-the-future-of-sonic-youth-20111128 |title=Lee Ranaldo on the Future of Sonic Youth |first=Matthew |last=Perpetua |date=November 28, 2011 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone|rollingstone.com]] |access-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202084533/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lee-ranaldo-on-the-future-of-sonic-youth-20111128 |archive-date=February 2, 2013 }}</ref>

===Post-disbandment activities: 2013–present===
In November 2013, Ranaldo said in response to the question of a possible reunion, "I fear not. Everybody is busy with their own projects, besides that Thurston and Kim aren't getting along together very well since their split… Let [the band] rest in peace."<ref name="Interview for Humo Magazine"/> Thurston Moore updated and clarified the matter in May 2014: "Sonic Youth is on hiatus. The band is a democracy of sorts, and as long as Kim and I are working out our situation, the band can't really function reasonably."<ref name="Thurston LSC">{{cite web|title=Sound City Liverpool onstage interview |url=https://soundcloud.com/dave-8-2/thurston-moore-onstage-interview |access-date=8 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508151949/https://soundcloud.com/dave-8-2/thurston-moore-onstage-interview |archive-date=8 May 2014 }}</ref> In her 2015 autobiography ''[[Girl in a Band]]'', Gordon refers several times to the band having "split up" for good.

In 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Sonic Youth sold official face masks based on the artwork from the album ''Sonic Nurse'', with proceeds going to charities Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, Bed Stuy Strong, and [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]]'s COVID-19 Relief Fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sonic-youth-selling-sonic-nurse-covid-19-shirt-mask-for-charity/|title=Sonic Youth selling 'Sonic Nurse' COVID-19 shirt & mask for charity|website=Brooklynvegan.com|date=May 28, 2020 |access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref> The same year, an extensive archive of live recordings from throughout the band's history was released on Bandcamp.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/sonic-youth-live-albums-guide|title=Digging Through Sonic Youth's Bandcamp Archives|date=18 June 2020|website=Daily.bandcamp.com|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref><br>

In January 2022, a new single "In & Out" was released ahead of the March release of the rarities EP ''In/out/In''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Peacock|first=Tim|date=2022-01-19|title=Sonic Youth Announce New Rarities Collection, In Out In|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/sonic-youth-rarities-collection-in-out-in/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}}</ref> The five-track EP featured previously unissued outtakes recorded between 2000 and 2010.

In October 2023, ''[[Sonic Life: A Memoir]]'', a memoir written by Thurston Moore, was published by [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/18/sonic-life-a-memoir-by-thurston-moore-review-nerds-eye-view/|title=Sonic Life: A Memoir by Thurston Moore review – nerd's eye view|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 18, 2023}}</ref>