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Goodbye 20th Century, Hello new Sonic Youth biography
March 28, 2007

David Browne, author of the forthcoming Sonic Youth biography gave saucerlike these exclusive details on his project:
"Hi Moshe: Since you asked about my book, here's the current skinny. with all due respect to previous volumes, I'm at work on what I hope
will be a definitive biography of this undeniably important and influential band, to be published by Da Capo in the U.S., Piatkus in
the U.K., and Kiepenheuer & Witsch in Germany. The release date should
be 2008, but since I'm still working on it, don't hold me to that year just yet. Although I've interviewed and written about Sonic Youth since 1988, in publications ranging from Musician magazine and
Entertainment Weekly to the New York Times, the book will feature all-new interviews with the four principals, who are supportive of the project (not to mention very patient with my endless questioning) and have given me access to their vast archives. The book, which has the working title "Goodbye 20th Century," will also encompass interviews with nearly 100 friends, fellow creative travelers, family members, former band members (all the ex-drummers), and producers and record executives who have worked with the band over the last quarter century. Everyone from Thurston's mom and Harold Paris to Jim O'Rourke will be heard from. As for me, this will be my third book, the first two being "Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley" (2001) and "Amped" (2004), a history of extreme sports. If I were to ponder a connecting thread between all these books, it would probably have something to do with maintaining one's integrity in an overcommercialized world, but I'll leave the analysis to others.
Anyway, wish me luck."

Well, Good Luck David!

Moshe

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.