Gary Young (born May 3, 1953) is an American musician and music producer best known as the original drummer of the indie rock band Pavement from its inception in 1989 until his departure in 1993.

Early life

Gary Young was born in

Mamaroneck, New York Mamaroneck ( ) is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 31,758 at the 2020 United States census over 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Village of Ma ...

. His father, Bob Young, 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 for the

Steinberger Steinberger is a series of distinctive electric guitars and bass guitars, designed and originally manufactured by Ned Steinberger. The name "Steinberger" can be used to refer to either the instruments themselves or the company that originally pro ...

company.

Career

Early career: 1984–1989

In the 1980s, Young booked musical acts to play around Stockton, including

Dead Kennedys Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band that formed in San Francisco, California, in 1978. The band was one of the defining punk rock, punk bands during its initial eight-year run. Dead Kennedys' lyrics were usually political in nature, sa ...

Circle Jerks Circle Jerks (stylized as Ciʀcle JƎʀᴋs) are an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded by former Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson. To date, Circle ...

and Black Flag. Early in the decade, he played in the punk band The Fall of Christianity with Brian Thalken of The Authorities.

Pavement: 1989–1993; 2010

Stephen Malkmus Stephen Joseph Malkmus (born May 30, 1966) is an American musician best known as the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and as a solo artist ...

and

Scott Kannberg Christopher Scott Kannberg (born August 30, 1966), known professionally as Scott Kannberg and Spiral Stairs, is an American musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement serving as guitarist and occasional lea ...

formed Pavement in Stockton, CA in 1989. Their first EP, ''

Slay Tracks (1933-1969) Slay may refer to: * Murder, to commit homicide * cause death, to terminate biological function of a living creature or object People * Brandon Slay, former American Olympic wrestler * DJ Kay Slay (1966–2022), American hip hop DJ * Dwayne S ...

'', 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 ''Slanted and Enchanted'' is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 20, 1992 by Matador Records. It is the only Pavement album to feature drummer Gary Young. The album received critical acclaim and is ...

''. 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. His last release as a member of the group was the EP ''

Watery, Domestic ''Watery, Domestic'' is the fourth EP by American indie rock band Pavement. It is their final release to feature drummer Gary Young as a member. Background The record marked the recording debuts of both Bob Nastanovich and Mark Ibold on per ...

''. He later appeared on two tracks on the '' Major Leagues'' EP as a producer. He was fired from Pavement in 1993 due to conflicts with Malkmus and the rest of the band. He reunited with the band to play two shows in 2010.

Later career: 1993–present

After leaving Pavement, he released three albums, ''Hospital'', ''Things We Do for You'', and ''The Grey Album'' under the name

Gary Young's Hospital Hospital is the debut studio album by the American musician Gary Young and his backing band Hospital, released in 1994. It was Young's first solo effort after being asked to leave the band Pavement. Background and recording The album was reco ...

. The music video for the song "Plant Man" was featured in the ''

Beavis and Butthead ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' is an American adult animated series created by Mike Judge. The series follows Beavis and Butt-Head, both voiced by Judge, a pair of teenage slackers characterized by their apathy, lack of intelligence, lowbrow humor, an ...

'' Season 5 episode " Skin Trade." In 2016, he collaborated with recording engineer Richard Selleseth on the album ''Malfunction''. 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. He was ranked #42 of the 50 Greatest Rock Drummers by Stylus Magazine.

Personal life

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

Discography

With Pavement

Studio albums

* ''

'' (1992)

EPs

* '' Slay Tracks: 1933–1969'' (1989) * '' Demolition Plot J-7'' (1990) * ''Perfect Sound Forever'' (1991) * ''

'' (1992)

With Gary Young's Hospital

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

Solo albums

* ''Malfunction'' (2016)

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Gary 1953 births People from Mamaroneck, New York Musicians from Stockton, California Living people Musicians from New York (state) 20th-century American drummers American male drummers Pavement (band) members 20th-century American male musicians