Gary Young (drummer)

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Gary Young
Birth nameGary Young
Also known asPlantman
Born (1953-05-03) May 3, 1953 (age 68)
Mamaroneck, New York
OriginStockton, California
GenresIndie rock, folk, punk
InstrumentsVocals, drums, keyboards
Years active1988-present
LabelsMatador, Domino, Big Cat
Associated actsPavement, Gary Young's Hospital

Gary Young (born May 3, 1953) is an American musician and music producer best known as the first drummer of the indie rock band Pavement.

Early life[]

Gary Young was born in Mamaroneck, New York. His father was an engineer in the plastics business with deep knowledge of carbon fiber. He worked with Ned Steinberger in the development of the construction of his electric bass, and helped build the Spruce Goose.[1]

Personal life[]

Young struggled with alcohol which often affected his live performances and behavior during his tenure with Pavement. He became sober in 1998.[2]

Career[]

In the 1980s, Young booked musical acts to play around Stockton, including Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks and Black Flag. Early in the decade, he played in the punk band The Fall of Christianity with Brian Thalken of The Authorities.[3]

Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg formed Pavement in Stockton, CA in 1989. Their first EP, Slay Tracks (1933-1969), was recorded at Young's Louder Than You Think Studio with Young contributing drums. Young would also appear on their next two EPs, Demolition Plot J-7, and Perfect Sound Forever, released in 1990 and 1991, respectively, as well as their 1992 debut album, Slanted and Enchanted.[4][5] Young began gaining the band a degree of notoriety with his on- and offstage antics. He was noted for greeting the audience at the door, giving out cabbage, mashed potatoes, or cinnamon toast to fans, and for doing headstands.[6]

His last release as a member of the group was the EP Watery, Domestic. He later appeared on two tracks on the Major Leagues EP.

He was fired from Pavement in 1993 due to conflicts with Malkmus and the rest of the band.

After leaving Pavement, he released three albums, Hospital, Things We Do for You, and The Grey Album under the name Gary Young's Hospital.[7] The music video for the song "Plant Man" was featured in the Beavis and Butthead Season 5 episode "Skin Trade." In 2016, he collaborated with recording engineer Richard Selleseth on the album Malfunction.[8]

He also developed and patented the Universal Shock Mount used for microphones. Making them each individually himself, he has sold over 13,000 units to distributors and online.[9]

He was ranked #42 of the 50 Greatest Rock Drummers by Stylus Magazine.[10]

Discography[]

See also: Pavement discography

With Pavement[]

With Gary Young's Hospital[]

  • Hospital (1994)
  • Things We Do for You (1999)
  • The Grey Album (2004)

Solo Works[]

  • Malfunction (2016)

References[]

  • Jovanovic, Rob (2004). Perfect Sound Forever: The Story of Pavement. Boston: Justin, Charles & Co. ISBN 1-932112-07-3.
  1. ^ Gruhn and Jones, George and Sarah Rose (December 2015). "1978 Steinberger Prototype Bass". Vintage Guitar Magazine.
  2. ^ "Gary Young: Pavement's Drummer & Engineer". tapeop.com. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  3. ^ https://gethip.com/site/artists/authorities/
  4. ^ Rishwain, Mikey B. (August 19, 2015). "Straight Outta Stockton:Life Lessons from Pavement's Gary Young". Vice. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  5. ^ https://www.discogs.com/label/386212-Louder-Than-You-Think-Studio
  6. ^ Rishwain, Mikey B. (August 19, 2015). "Straight Outta Stockton: Life Lessons from Pavements Gary Young". Vice.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  7. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r220730
  8. ^ Sauro, Tony (April 21, 2016). "Sauro: 'Malfunction' brings former Pavement drummer back to the studio". The Record. Stockton, CA. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Rishwain, Mikey B. (August 19, 2015). "Straight Outta Stockton: Life Lessons from Pavement's Gary Young". Vice.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ^ Stylus Staff, Staff (July 30, 2007). "Stylus Magazine's 50 Greatest Rock Drummers". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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