r/sonicyouth • u/_Jub_Jub_ • 1d ago

Can someone succinctly explain the SY bassist evolution to me plz?

So I’m a major Sonic Youth fan, have been since high school, but I’m also fairly young and didn’t pay attention to the band when they started their mid 90s-2000s lineup changes.

I’ve read GIAB and Sonic Life, so I know that around the time of Experimental Jet Set, Kim focused on being tbe band’s third guitarist moreso than a bassist, and stayed that way. But, of course, songs like Bull in the Heather and The Diamond Sea had bass on them, before they ever adopted a 5th member.

I also think that around the SYR era, Jim O Rourke played bass sometimes? And was kind of in the band? And so was Mark Ibold until they disbanded? This is where my knowledge wanes; I have no idea what years after ‘94 who was playing what instrument. If someone could give me a short timeline or just info on what band members played what during and after (and a bit before) the SYR era, I’d appreciate it.

TLDR: Dumdum fan wants a timeline of the members and what instruments they played, as specific or general as you’re willing to get. Thanks!

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u/LibraryShawn 1d ago

Contributors to Wikipedia have done the heavy lifting for you. Scroll down to Members and there's even a handy timeline graphic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youth

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u/SuperbParticular8718 1d ago

To add to this: http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/tab/tuning.html

On this chart, the person who played bass on each song from Goo onwards is indicated with the word ‘bass’ (except on the Eternal, which as you already mentioned was Mark Ibold)