Kim Thayil - Soundgarden (1984-1997)

Soundgarden (1984-1997)

Soundgarden became the first of Seattle's grunge bands to sign with a major label (A&M Records). They went on to release five albums, including three which went platinum at least once, and won two Grammys.

Thayil became acclaimed for his guitar work, which was typically characterized by heavy riffing, and was cited among other grunge guitarists as an influence and a pioneer of the "Seattle Sound." In 1994, Thayil commented, "I think Soundgarden is a pretty good band and I'm a fine guitarist. I'm not God, but I'm certainly not average. I feel very comfortable with the fact that not many other people can do what I do on guitar. I think my guitar is happy with the way I play it."

Originally one of Soundgarden's main songwriters, Thayil's contributions as a writer eventually dwindled to just one song on Down on the Upside, "Never the Machine Forever", although he contributed to details in every song, as did every band member.

While a member of Soundgarden, he wrote the following songs for the band:

  • "Hunted Down" (Screaming Life) ... music
  • "Nothing to Say" (Screaming Life) ... music
  • "Tears To Forget" (Screaming Life) ... music (co-written)
  • "Little Joe" (Screaming Life) ... music
  • "Hand of God" (Screaming Life) ... music
  • "Kingdom of Come" (Fopp) ... credited to Soundgarden
  • "Flower" (Ultramega OK) ... music
  • "All Your Lies" (Ultramega OK) ... music (co-written)
  • "Circle of Power" (Ultramega OK) ... music
  • "Incessant Mace" (Ultramega OK) ... music
  • "Hands All Over" (Louder Than Love) ... music
  • "Get on the Snake" (Louder Than Love) ... music
  • "Heretic" (Loudest Love) ... music
  • "Jesus Christ Pose" (Badmotorfinger) ... music (co-written)
  • "Room a Thousand Years Wide" (Badmotorfinger) ... lyrics
  • "New Damage" (Badmotorfinger) ... music (co-written)
  • "My Wave" (Superunknown) ... music (co-written)
  • "Superunknown" (Superunknown) ... music (co-written)
  • "Limo Wreck" (Superunknown) ... music (co-written)
  • "Kickstand" (Superunknown) ... music
  • "Never the Machine Forever" (Down on the Upside) ... music and lyrics
  • "Black Rain" (Telephantasm) music (co-written)

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