Following a concert with Soundgarden in Detroit, it was announced on May 18th, 2017, that Chris Cornell, musician, songwriter, solo artist and member of Soundgarden had passed away. He took his own life and the news of this sent a shock through the music world. The music that Cornell created with Soundgarden was very different and very unique. It set them apart from the other Seattle “Grunge” bands of the 90s. Soundgarden were a heavy rock band, pulling in influences from bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, but also with other influences such as The Beatles, touches of punk and several other elements. Lyrically, Cornell often draped the heavy riffs created by the band that surrounded him with darker imagery. The lyrics, while dark were presented in an intelligent way that at times seemed to deal with personal struggles such as depression, but also other issues that surrounded the world around them. Often at times lyrics were used in conjunction with the music to poke fun at certain issues at times in a humorous, but intelligent way. And while all of these things helped to make up the music that was Soundgarden, they sounded like nothing else.
Soundgarden emerged from the underground into the mainstream in the 90s, along with several other bands from Seattle. Throughout this time and through the rise of Grunge music, as it was called, in the mainstream, Soundgarden had something different to say than the usual overproduced mainstream band did. The 90s were a different time, a lot changed for many reasons and the heaviness and lyrical prowess of the band’s music struck a chord with many people. Cornell originally started playing drums and singing in a band cover band called The Shemps, who played around Seattle in the early 80s. The band also featured Hiro Yamamoto, who would be a bassist on early releases and in the early stages of Soundgarden. Guitarist Kim Thayil joined the group when Yamamoto left The Shemps. When this band broke up, Cornell and Yomamto started jamming together, eventually adding Thayil in the process. In 1984, Soundgarden was formed. Cornell switched to vocals and another drummer joined the group, Scott Sundquist so that he could focus on vocals. Through Sub Pop Records, Soundgarden released two EPs Screaming Life in 1987 and Fopp in 1988. The band lineup would change until 1991, when the lineup featured Matt Cameron on drums (who joined as their drummer in 1986) and Ben Shepherd on bass. The first release with this band lineup was 1991’s Badmotorfinger, it was their third album overall. Also, now signed to A&M Records, the band’s popularity took off and two more albums would follow, 1994’s Superunknown and the 1996 release, Down On The Upside.
Cornell had also released many albums as a solo artist, with other artists such as Temple of The Dog and Audioslave. Recently, Cornell released the single “The Promise”, which was recorded for the soundtrack of the same name. Soundgarden, who originally split in 1997, shortly after the release of their album Down On The Upside, reformed in 2010. An album followed entitled King Animal in 2012. Several reissues of the early band’s albums had followed and the band had been rumoured to be working a new album prior to Cornell’s death. One of the lyrics from a Soundgarden song, “Outshined” inspired the movie Feeling Minnesota. Even Johnny Cash covered “Rusty Cage” in 1996. It’s hard to forget the band’s music videos for songs such as “Black Hole Sun”, “Rusty Cage”, “Blow Up The Outside World” or songs such as Ty Cobb”, “Kickstand”, and “My Wave” to name a few. The imagery was strong in all of these things, whether it was the video or the songs themselves. Fans, friends, actors and many others have since come out to show tribute for Cornell following his death. The music that Cornell created, whether you were a fan or not, you can agree was different and something unique. There was no other band that sounded like Soundgarden. The lyrics in combination with the music were at times seen as odd or weird, but really it was just something different that didn’t fit one particular category. This affected many people. Many people identified with what Cornell had to say and even a long time from now, still will.
Playlist for Show # 670 (Originally Aired June 3rd 2017):
1. Kestrels - Thorn
2. Hooded Fang – Queen of Agusan
3. Dusty Mush - Hot Tomato
4. Girl Pool – Corner Store
5. New Pornographers – High Ticket Attractions
6. Robyn Hitchcock – Virginia Wolfe
7. Soundgarden - Kickstand
8. Soundgarden - Blow Up The Outside
9. Chris Cornell – Spoon Man (Demo)
10. Chris Cornell – Seasons
11. Soundgarden - Face Pollution
12. (Sandy) Alex G – Witch
13. Mount Eerie – Death is Real
14. Mountain Goats – Rain in Soho
15. Craig Finn – Jester & June
16. Canailles – Backflips
17. Neil Young - Looking For A Love
18. Dead Ghosts - All In A Row
19. Los Straitjackets - Heart of the City
20. The Velveteins - Midnight Surf
21. Nap Eyes - Roll It
22. Gang War - These Boots Were Made For Walking (Live)
23. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Jangling Jack
24. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Jesus Alone
To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 3.
Playlist for Show # 669 (Repeat of Show # 606: Them, Art Bergmann & The Mark Inside):
1. Them - Baby Please Don’t Go (Take 4)
2. Them - Turn On Your Love Light (Alternate Version)
3. Them - Richard Cory
4. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Frying Pan
5. The Standells - Rari
6. The Howlies - She’s In Control
7. The Velveteins - Beach Reprise
8. The North Carolina Music Love Army - Stick To The Plan
9. Papa Ghostface - Samhain
10. Border Patrol - This World
11. Jose Contreras - Psychic Radio
12. Art Bergmann - A Town Called Mean
13. Art Bergmann - In Betweens
14. Daniel Romano - I Had To Hide Your Poem In A Song
15. White Fang - Chunks
16. Monomyth - Transmission
17. The Ronald Reagan Story - Ronnie (I Voted For You)
18. The Minstrels Of Truth - I Want Your Business
19. Generation X - Kiss Me Deadly
20. The Police - No Time This Time
21. Gang Of Four - Call Me Up
22. Dee Dee Ramone & The Chinese Dragons - What About Me?
23. The Vores - Stress
24. The Bureaucrats - Grown Up Age
25. Idols - You
26. Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World
27. Old Code - Crooked Smile
28. The Mark Inside - Where You Are
29. The Mark Inside - Shark Attack (I Can See Them Circling)
To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for May 27.
