The Sonics October 31, 2008

The Sonics from Tacoma, Washington were formed in 1963 in the wake of the early '60s success of local favorites the Kingsmen and the Wailers (whose Etiquette label they recorded for). The Sonics combined the classic Northwest-area teen-band raunch with early English band grit (particularly influenced by the Kinks), relentless rhythmic drive, and unabashed '50s-style blues shouting for a combination that still makes their brand of rock and roll perhaps the raunchiest ever captured on wax.