Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Current personnel are founding members Thurston Moore (vocals and guitar), Lee Ranaldo (vocals and guitar), Kim Gordon (vocals, bass, guitar), Mark Ibold (bass), and Steve Shelley (drums). In their early career, Sonic Youth were associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City. Part of the first wave of American noise rock groups, the band carried out their interpretation of the punk rock ethos throughout the evolving American indie underground that focused more on the DIY ethic of the genre rather than its specific sound. They have found moderate mainstream success, and are generally seen as one of the leading alternative rock groups of their time.   Wikipedia