Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star

Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star is an album by alternative rock band Sonic Youth, first released in May 1994. Included is possibly the group’s biggest hit, “Bull in the Heather.” Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre appears in the music video for this song. Lee Ranaldo did not write or sing any songs on this album.

Chart Performance

The album peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 chart. Previously, the band’s best performance on that chart was Dirty, which reached #89. To date, this is their highest peak on the US charts. The album has sold 242,000 copies in the US according to Soundscan.

Cancelled single

“Self-Obsessed and Sexxee” was intended to be the second single from this album. A promo CD was issued, but plans for a regular release were cancelled and promo pressing ceased. The remaining copies were sold off through Sonic Death. The CD included the same b-sides as “Bull in the Heather.”

Notes

“Screaming Skull” is about the band’s nostalgia for their days on independent labels, particularly SST Records, which is mentioned frequently throughout the song, along with the label’s “Superstore” in Los Angeles.

“Doctor’s Orders” is sung by Kim Gordon on the album. The “Bull in the Heather” single contains an alternate version with Thurston Moore singing.