The word “maverick” is thrown around with reckless abandon these days, so much so that it has lost much of it’s currency, yet when it comes to musician Gary Young, no other word will suffice. Breaking all conventions, his unique life was brought prominence via the award-winning documentary Louder Than You Think, the soundtrack of which, featuring music from throughout Gary’s career along with tracks scored for the film, gets released via Independent Project Records. For the unfamiliar (or even those acquainted) with the multifaceted career of Gary Young, Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History Of Gary Young & Pavement is the perfect vehicle with which to experience his world, and “world” is the operative word. Exploring all highways and byways that comprise his career is akin to discovering a new musical planet and traversing all its soundscapes and sonic vistas. Pulling all the various strands of Gary’s oeuvre into a cohesive whole, this collection does exactly what the title suggests and is both a summation and tantalising taster to the wonderful world of Gary Young and Pavement.
Great art is often born in the most unlikely places; the Luftwaffe-scarred streets of Aston (Black Sabbath), in the shadow of Grangemouth’s oil refineries (Cocteau Twins), and in the case of Gary Young, the poverty-stricken streets of Stockton. While he wasn’t a native of California, Gary’s unorthodox approach to music (and life in general) was the perfect fit for the bohemian air, and, of course, the nascent hardcore punk scene. After a startlingly surreal opener, that’s exactly where this collection begins with the brand of punk with which California became renowned; no matter how rowdy things get with ‘Achtung!’ (1982; The Authorities) and ‘Feed ‘Em To The Lions (1979; Fall Of Christianity), there’s a strong groove underpinning things, and that’s exactly where Gary steps in. There’s almost a jazz sensibility to his playing, an inherent swing which ensures that within the fast and frenetic maelstrom, there’s always a touch of melody. Although metalheads turned mosh into something visceral and violent, in the hands of hardcore punks it was an art form that was full of savage grace; ‘Achtung!’ was actually a song you could dance and mosh to, and Gary’s drumming was the reason why.
Of course, the shackles imposed by punk would only contain Gary for so long, and while he retained the attitude, he would soon move on to map new pastures. In fact, this album offers a clear vision of Gary’s creativity and on ‘No Sex’ (1982; Crill) he foreshadows the whole alt-rock revolution and his work with Pavement (represented here by three live tracks and a later collaboration), which produced music so far ahead of the curve, music that still inspires and has had an impact that is still being felt. Yet his lineage not only pointed forwards, but backwards too and the slightly surreal ‘Birds In Traffic’ which evidenced a love of progressive rock. It makes this album an eclectic affair, but it is precisely this which stitches it together and ensures it hangs as a collective whole.
Gary Young is the type of artist that the world may never see again, but this soundtrack, presented with the care and attention you’d expect from Independent Project Records, will provide the immortality his creativity demands.
- Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History Of Gary Young & Pavement is released via Independent Project Records on 23rd January 2026 (available here).
Track List:
- Wink & A Nod – Edward W. Dahl
- Achtung! – The Authorities (1982)
- Feed ‘Em To The Lions – Fall Of Christianity (1978)
- Later Than You Think – Hot Spit Dancers (1983)
- Sparkle / Bloom Padding – Edward W. Dahl
- LSD – The Authorities (1983)
- Orchard / Drama In The Clean Room / Malice In The Chalice – Noah Georgeson
- No Sex – Crill (1982)
- Distribution / Cushion Of Sense – Edward W. Dahl
- Glacial Victory – Noah Georgeson
- Baptist Blacktick – Pavement (Live, 19th May 1992)
- Lions (Linden) – Pavement (Live, 19th May 1992)
- Summer Babe – Pavement (Live, 19th May 1992)
- Refrigerator Light / Laptop Tanktop – Gary Young/Noah Georgeson
- Dread In A Dreadful Place – Noah Georgeson
- Plant Man – Gary Young’s Hospital
- Birds In Traffic – Gary Young’s Hospital
- Please Be Happy (For Us) – Gary Young And Pavement
- Appropriation Mix – Noah Georgeson
