Soundgarden

Soundgarden merch

Even though the typical Soundgarden sound doesn't sound too alike Nirvana's, both bands DO have something else in common: They're both from Seattle and arose in the 19080/90s to bring a genre called GRUNGE into the world (Although Soundgarden bass player Ben Shepherd did say in an interview back in 2013: "We never were Grunge, we were just a band from Seattle").

SOUNDGARDEN: BAND HISTORY

In the first few months after forming in 1984, Chris Cornell played both the drums and sang until shortly after when a drummer was found. Even though Soundgarden had many offers by major labels, they decided to go with the independent label SST Records for their debut ULTRAMEGA OK (1988). The band's first tours in America and Europe followed - As well as a Grammy nomination for "Best metal performance". However it was 1994 when their breakthrough followed thanks for the legendary fourth album SUPERUNKNOWN (1994). Songs such as 'Spoonman', 'The Day I Tried to Live' or 'Black Hole Sun' are all an important part of music's history, thanks to their dark lyrics about suicide and depression as well as experimental elements (e.g. From far east).

After countless tours worldwide and the album DOWN ON THE UPSIDE, Soundgarden decided to disband in 1997. In the 16 years 'til their reunion lead singer Chris Cornell started Audioslave together with former members of Rage Against The Machine. After that project disbanded in 2007 and after Chris' (more or less successful) first steps as a solo artist, Soundgarden reunited in 2010 with the new release KING ANIMAL coming out two years later. In 2016 there were rumours about the band working on new material in the studio - Sadly this never came to fruition as on May 18th 2017, Chris Cornell was tragically found dead. His band's "Alternative Metal" will undoubtedly forever live on in the metalcore bands he influenced and inspired.