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In 1992, grunge was everywhere, but Neil Young believed a band outside that scene epitomised “modern rock”
Neil Young said in 1992 that Sonic Youth were making “modern rock”, praising their inventive sound and calling their 1986 song “Expressway to Your Skull” a classic. His view stood out at a time when grunge, led by Nirvana, was dominating attention, and highlights the influence of a New York band beyond Seattle’s scene.
Sonic Youth had spent a decade blending punk’s rawness with an experimental, art-minded approach, including unconventional guitar tunings. Young admired the band’s melodies and live performances; the article also points to their influence on later rock, noting that Geffen Records used Sonic Youth’s album Goo as a benchmark when judging Nirvana’s success.
In short
- Neil Young praised Sonic Youth as the sound of modern rock.
- He singled out their 1986 song “Expressway to Your Skull”.
- Their experimental style helped shape later rock, including grunge.
Explained simply
Sonic Youth were a New York band formed in 1981, known for combining punk’s rough sound with experimental guitar playing. They often used unusual tunings, while building songs around melodies and a strong live presence.
By the early 1990s, grunge bands from Seattle, including Nirvana, were receiving wide attention. Sonic Youth had developed their sound over many years, and their record Goo was one measure Geffen Records used when assessing Nirvana’s success.
Neil Young was a Canadian singer and guitarist whose long career made him an influential voice in rock. His praise for Sonic Youth drew attention to a band outside the grunge scene and to the wider range of music being called modern rock.