The Strokes' 2003 song that borrowed heavily from Sonic Youth's sound

In the New York music scene of the 2000s, The Strokes emerged as the band that renewed indie rock with its own distinctive sound. However, even with their debut album acclaimed for bringing an unprecedented lo-fi garage style, the band did not create their sound from scratch. In fact, they built their artistic identity on the city's rich musical tradition, which includes deep influences from punk, new wave and, especially, the iconic Sonic Youth. This connection became even more evident on the Strokes' second album, released in 2003, when the band faced the pressure of delivering work that was both innovative and true to its essence. The track "12:51", the fourth on the album, is a clear example of this search for new sound. Guitarist Nick Valensi recalls that the song's peculiar sound came about almost by chance, when experimenting with tones with the guitar neck pickup and accidentally stepping on the DeVille amplifier's channel switching pedal. The result was a tone that resembled an analog synthesizer, something far from traditional rock, and that caught the attention of vocalist Julian Casablancas, who saw a new possibility for the band's sound. Despite his enthusiasm, Casablancas also expressed a legitimate concern during recording: he feared that "12:51" would sound too similar to a Sonic Youth song, specifically "Bull in the Heather". Speaking to producer Gordon Raphael, he admitted he was "totally copying" the seminal New York band's style. This admission reveals that, although The Strokes were pioneers in their time, they also recognized and incorporated elements from their predecessors, in a kind of musical dialogue between generations. More than a mere copy, this influence demonstrates the natural evolution of the New York music scene throughout the decade that separates the two songs. The Strokes, by reinterpreting and adapting these references, helped keep the city's rebellious and innovative energy alive, while at the same time creating a sound that would inspire future artists, such as Alex Turner, from Arctic Monkeys, who openly declared his admiration for the band. Thus, "12:51" is not only a landmark track from the Strokes' second album, but also a testament to the interconnectedness and respect between bands that shaped indie rock in New York. This relationship between innovation and influence reinforces The Strokes' fundamental role in the history of alternative music, showing that, even by "copying" a little, they managed to create something unique and lasting.