Sonic Youth brought an anti-new wave, experimental edge to the 1980s, thereby redefining underground rock. The indie band, formed in New York City in the early '80s, filled a missing link with blonde bassist Kim Gordon in '81, and its fiery noise-rock fused inspired a handful of followers including the Pixies and the Flaming Lips. With an encyclopedia of albums under its belt, Sonic Youth has evolved from underground to cult-favorite to Lollapalooza headliners without a mainstream rock association.