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Soundgarden

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Soundgarden was an American rock band from Seattle, founded in 1984 by the singer and drummer Chris Cornell, the guitarist Kim Thayil and the bass player Hiro Yamamoto. The name came from an artwork in a park in Seattle: a sound sculpture of pipes through which the wind blows. Before long a permanent drummer took over the drums, so that Cornell could concentrate on singing; from 1986 that was Matt Cameron. Ben Shepherd became the permanent bass player in 1990. The band was the first of a series of grunge bands on the label Sub Pop, and in 1988 the first grunge band on a major label.

Music and breakthrough

After the EPs Screaming Life (1987) and Fopp (1988) came the albums Ultramega OK (1988) and Louder Than Love (1989). The breakthrough came with Badmotorfinger (1991), with the singles Jesus Christ Pose, Outshined and Rusty Cage. MTV refused the video for Jesus Christ Pose, and many listeners found the song anti-Christian. Cornell explained that it was in fact a criticism of famous people who present themselves with the image of Jesus as a victim. Superunknown (1994), with Spoonman and Black Hole Sun, entered at number 1 in America. In 1997 the band split up, and in 2010 a reunion followed. Cornell died in 2017.

Influence

Soundgarden, with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, was one of the big names of grunge, but sounded heavier than most of its contemporaries. Critics heard the riffs of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin in it, mixed with the rawness of punk. Low-tuned, heavy guitar riffs and Cornell's wailing screams made the band recognisable.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Jesus Christ Pose and notice the drums and the bass, which drive the song along like a machine, with Thayil's guitar screaming through it. Hear how Cornell screams out high above it all.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

Categories: ArtistsGrunge