Gary Young & Pavement Single from Louder Than You Think Documentary
Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement, the original motion picture soundtrack from the 2023 documentary film, has been confirmed for release via digital outlets, Special Edition CD, and black and colored vinyl editions in early 2026 on Independent Project Records. The first single from the soundtrack, “Please Be Happy (For Us),” from Gary Young & Pavement is out now and is available here.
Proudly resistant to genres and conventions, the Louder Than You Think soundtrack tells the story of Gary Young, a true original in life and behind the drum kit, who, when he was approaching the ripe old age of 40, joined twenty-somethings Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (Spiral Stairs) to become the original drummer, as well as producer, for soon-to-be indie royalty Pavement. More than just a soundtrack, the release features rare and never-before-heard tracks from the underappreciated Stockton music scene of the ’80s and ’90s, including bands like Fall of Christianity (the Stockton rebels that struck a chord with a teenage Spiral Stairs), CRLLL, The Authorities, Gary Young’s Hospital, and Hot Spit Dancers. The album also includes tracks scored for the film from Edward W. Dahl (Jodorowsky’s Dune) and Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Cate Le Bon).
“Louder Than You Think is the story of original Pavement drummer Gary Young,” said Pavement’s Scott Kannberg. “This soundtrack captures the spirit and warped vision that could only come from Gary and the ‘underbelly of California,’ Stockton!”
Pavement themselves make memorable appearances throughout the record with ultra-rare live tracks, as well as something quite special: born as a ditty improvised by Gary during filming, “Please Be Happy (For Us)” turned into something rather special after his old friend Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg created a suitably trippy musical track (spiced with some Stephen Malkmus feedback yowls). It’s both a surprising reunion and a heartwarming send-off recorded for the movie shortly before Gary’s passing in August 2023.
Directed by Jed I. Rosenberg and produced by Jeffrey Clark, Brian Thalken, and Kelly Thomas with Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg on executive producer duties, Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement is the SXSW-winning documentary dedicated to the wild polymath best known as the original drummer for Pavement: his one-of-a-kind history is surveyed from the early hardcore punk and post-punk days to the merry chaos of Hospital, whose “Plantman” ended up being an improbable MTV favorite.
Proudly resistant to genres and conventions, the Louder Than You Think soundtrack is a musical history tour of not only its mercurial subject, but also the Stockton music scene of the ’80s and ’90s, as seen through the lens of the LSD and alcohol-fueled hippie who helped define the sound of all things lo-fi, indie rock and slacker in between headstands.
Known for their unique musical sensibilities and extraordinary artwork & design, Independent Project Records is a favorite of record collectors and music fans alike for their bespoke packaging and attention to detail. Grammy-nominated founder Bruce Licher’s graphic design and his hand-letterpress packaging have been a mainstay in music circles since 1982’s Tragic Figures from Savage Republic. Since that time, the label has released seminal albums and singles from artists as diverse as Savage Republic, Alison’s Halo, Human Hands, Kommunity FK, Camper Van Beethoven, Scenic, For Against, Deception Bay, Half String, Autumnfair, The Dentists, Tone, WOO, Stereolab, and more.
Since the label’s relaunch in 2020, IPR has released new music, lost albums, reissues with bonus tracks on digital, compact disc and vinyl formats for a variety of artists including A Produce, Afterimage, Alison Clancy, David J, Half String, Bruce Licher, Greg Lisher, Jeffrey Runnings, The Ophelias, Red Temple Spirits, Savage Republic, Scenic, Shiva Burlesque, Springhouse, Torn Boys, WOO, and multiple various artist compilations. Coming up later this year and in 2026 are new titles from WOO, David J, Driveway Ceiling, and more to come.
Louder Than You Think Tracklist:
1. Wink & A Nod – Edward W. Dahl
2. Achtung! – The Authorities
3. Feed ‘Em to the Lions – Fall of Christianity
4. Later Than You Think – Hot Spit Dancers
5. Sparkle / Bloom Padding – Edward W. Dahl
6. LSD – The Authorities
7. Orchard / Drama in the Clean Room / Malice in the Chalice – Noah Georgeson
8. No Sex – CRLLL
9. Distribution / Cushion of Sense – Edward W. Dahl
10. Glacial Victory – Noah Georgeson
11. Baptist Blackjack (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
12. Lions (Linden) (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
13. Summer Babe (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
14. Refrigerator Light / Laptop Tanktop – Gary Young & Noah Georgeson
15. Dread is a Dreadful Place – Noah Georgeson
16. Plant Man – Gary Young’s Hospital
17. Birds in Traffic – Gary Young’s Hospital
18. Please Be Happy (For Us) – Gary Young & Pavement
19. Appropriation Mix – Noah Georgeson
About Independent Project Records:
Founded in 1980 by musician and artist Bruce Licher, Independent Project Records and its sister entity Independent Project Press are known for their instantly recognizable hand-printed record covers for bands including Camper Van Beethoven, For Against, Polvo, R.E.M., Savage Republic, Silversun Pickups, Stereolab, and more. Aside from creating much of the artwork on his vintage two-ton hand-fed letterpress, Licher was nominated for a Grammy Award for his design work on the IPR released debut album from For Against. In 2020, the label was relaunched by both Licher and Jeffrey Clark, with new and archival releases, and is distributed by MRI/The Orchard & via Proper Music Group outside the US and Canada. IPR is based in Bishop, California, at the base of the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
Gary Young & Pavement Single from Louder Than You Think Documentary
