20 Years Of Sonic Youth (2002), part II

Dubbed by the press “the nation’s best-known underground band,” New York No-Wave ensemble Sonic Youth has spent two decades exploring music’s frontiers in influential albums like “Daydream Nation” and “Goo”. In this German-produced documentary, filmmaker Christoph Dreher listens to band members Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Kim Gordon and Steve Shelley as they discuss past controversies, their melding of music with the graphic arts, their much-publicized signing with Geffen Records and the notorious theft of their gear - including 16 specially modified guitars - while on tour in 1998. Featuring clips from countless music videos, concert footage and interviews with musician Blixa Bargeld, composer Glen Branca and producer Jim O’Rourke.

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.

Original title: “Rockets/Kool Things: 20 Years of Sonic Youth”, directed by Christoph Dreher, 2002, 55 min.

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