———————————————————————

—————————

—————————

Factoid #9

by Scott Muoio

1990s music connoisseurs will recognize Seattle as the birthplace of grunge music. They will also likely recognize a certain Seattle quartet of bands as the mainstream royalty most closely associated with the ad hoc grunge movement: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. What they might not realize, however, is that one of these four troubadour groups took their name from an art installation at Seattle’s Magnuson Park. Further, unless a person is really into this particular band, they might not be aware that the song Black Hole Sun bears the same name as the art piece Black Hole Sun in The Emerald City’s Volunteer Park. And let’s not even get started on Spoonman, which is not only one of this band’s biggest hits but also a real dude named Artis who continues to smack his utensils around the Pacific Northwest. How’s that for Seattle love?

So what the heck is going on with the band Soundgarden and Seattle? Not much, really, at least these days. Since their zenith in popularity with 1994’s Superunknown, lead singer Chris Cornell has reinvented himself in Los Angeles, cut a pair of solo records, and still found time to front the super group Audioslave. Drummer Matt Cameron has found a second musical life pounding the skins as a permanent replacement for Seattle brethren Pearl Jam. Guitarist Kim Thayil, who moonlighted in the ‘90s as a stock footage player on Seattle’s local television gem Almost Live! has been here and there working with former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic among others. The last member of group, bassist Ben Shepherd has been through a couple bands himself, and like the rest of his former mates he has done nothing in the way of classic Soundgarden material. How's that for getting on with your life?

Regarding a possible reunion, the last time I heard Cornell speak on TV in 2005 he claimed no intention of reuniting with his band mates anytime in the near future. He likewise stressed the other members feel the exact same way: not a chance. There’s goes that, I suppose, but if the money is right you never know.

Still, no matter the status of the band in the present you can have your own personal Soundgarden party anytime you want. Merely hop a plane to Seattle, strap on your headphones, strike your best Jesus Christ Pose, and hit Magnuson and Volunteer Parks. That way you can joyously trace the band’s footsteps for a most excellent symbolic Soundgarden experience. And you never know, you just might flash back to 1994, flannel and all. Now doesn’t that sound fun?

Seattle Sound Garden, Magnuson Park

Volunteer Park is the site of a very strange art piece that reminds one of the famous Soundgarden tune, Black Hole Sun.	From the steps of the Asian Art Museum, the donut looking statue sits above a water reservoir and the iconic Space Needle.

—————————————————————————

Noted something strange or interesting in or about Seattle? Tell us about it. Email scottmuoio@undependentmedia.com

Back to Seattle Factoids

Back to Commentary

Back to the Main Page

———————————————————————