Soundgarden

Founded: 1984

Location: United States

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Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom are the only members to appear in every incarnation of the band), and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Cornell switched to rhythm guitar in 1985, replaced on drums initially by Scott Sundquist, and later by Matt Cameron in 1986. Yamamoto left in 1989 and was replaced initially by Jason Everman and shortly thereafter by Ben Shepherd. The band dissolved in 1997 and reformed in 2010. Following Cornell's death in 2017 and a year of uncertainty regarding the band's future, Thayil declared in October 2018 that Soundgarden had disbanded once again, though they did reunite in January 2019 for a one-off concert in tribute to Cornell.The band helped to popularize grunge music, a style of alternative rock that developed in the American Pacific Northwest in the mid-1980s, alongside such Seattle contemporaries as Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. They were the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the Seattle-based record label Sub Pop, through which they released two EPs: Screaming Life (1987) and Fopp (1988). Soundgarden's debut album, Ultramega OK, was also released in 1988 by the California-based independent label SST Records; although the album did not sell well nationally, it garnered critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1990. Their second album, Louder Than Love, was recorded independently, but, after they signed with A&M Records in 1989 (making them one of the first grunge bands to sign to a major label), the album became their major-label debut. While Ultramega OK had failed to chart and Louder Than Love peaked at number 108 on the Billboard 200 album chart, the band's third album Badmotorfinger (1991) was buoyed by the success of the singles "Jesus Christ Pose", "Outshined", and "Rusty Cage", reached number 39 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA.

Albums

1988 Ultramega OK
1989 Louder Than Love
1991 Badmotorfinger
1994 Superunknown
1996 Down on the Upside

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News / Music
Chris Cornell’s Wife Teases New Posthumous Album

Chris Cornell’s Wife Teases New Posthumous Album

News / Music
You Could Be Hearing Chris Cornell's Final Recordings With Soundgarden Soon

You Could Be Hearing Chris Cornell's Final Recordings With Soundgarden Soon

News / Music
US Judge Urges Settlement Between Soundgarden & Vicki Cornell

US Judge Urges Settlement Between Soundgarden & Vicki Cornell

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Tool, Soundgarden & Mötley Crüe Members Join Taylor Hawkins Tribute

Tool, Soundgarden & Mötley Crüe Members Join Taylor Hawkins Tribute

News / Music
We Remember 5 Non-Soundgarden Musical Highlights From Chris Cornell

We Remember 5 Non-Soundgarden Musical Highlights From Chris Cornell

News / Music
Chris Cornell Was The True Frontman Of The Grunge Movement

Chris Cornell Was The True Frontman Of The Grunge Movement

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Chris Cornell Brings Acoustic Tour To Australia

Chris Cornell Brings Acoustic Tour To Australia

Features / Music
Set To Reconnect With Faith No More At Soundwave

Set To Reconnect With Faith No More At Soundwave

News / Music
Soundgarden Announce Sidewaves

Soundgarden Announce Sidewaves

Reviews / Album
Album Review: Soundgarden - Superunkown (20th Anniversary Reissue)

Album Review: Soundgarden - Superunkown (20th Anniversary Reissue)