Episode 229: Actor and Musician Richard Edson

The Lydian Spin

Richard Edson is a multifaceted artist with notable contributions to both the music and acting. In 1979, he co-founded the San Francisco art rock band The Alterboys, where he played both drums and trumpet. Richard was also Sonic Youth's original drummer from 1981 to 1982, and he concurrently played drums for Konk. Post-Sonic Youth, he played trumpet for The Offs on their 1984 album. Transitioning to acting, Edson built a career with over 75 film roles, making impactful appearances in classics such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Stranger Than Paradise, Platoon, and Do the Right Thing. Lately he has been playing some live gigs with Tim and Matt Nelson.