Soundgarden members reunite for Seattle show
Since the death of vocalist Chris Cornell in 2017, the iconic Seattle grunge outfit Soundgarden has been in a transitional state. Aside from one-off performances and semi-reunions in 2019, the surviving members have largely put the band to rest. However, on December 14th, Soundgarden reunited for a benefit concert in their beloved hometown of Seattle.
Billed as Nudedragons, an anagram of Soundgarden that the group also used back in 2010, when they played together for the first time since their 1997 split, the band took to the stage at the Showbox venue in a show of support for the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Featuring surviving members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd, the vocal duties were performed by local songwriter and vocalist Shaina Shepherd.
Lasting for just under half an hour, the band’s set consisted of six tracks and was described on Soundgarden’s website as a “brief encore performance.”
Nevertheless, fans rejoiced at hearing classic hits like ‘Hunted Down’, ‘Outshined’, ‘Flower’, and ‘Beyond The Wheel’. The group’s performance ended with a blistering cover of the proto-punk anthem ‘Kick Out The Jams’, originally by The MC5.
For the final two tracks of the set – ‘Kickstand’ and ‘Kick Out The Jams’ – Soundgarden and Shania Shepard were joined by Guns ‘N Roses bassist Duff McKagan, adding to the already star-studded line-up of the show. Following the gig, fan-shot footage was quickly shared online, with many quick to commend the bassist on his vocal performances.
The Seattle-born musician was a key component of the local scene that eventually morphed into grunge, producing groups like Soundgarden. McKagan performed with a variety of local punk bands before relocating to Los Angeles in 1984, where he would eventually join Guns ‘N Roses.
Following the death of founding member Chris Cornell, who died via suicide after a Soundgarden gig in Detroit, the remaining members of the band have regularly refuted calls to reunite. This weekend’s Seattle performance marks only the third time the trio have played together since the death of their bandmate. In 2019, the surviving members performed at a tribute show for Cornell and, in 2021, they appeared with Brandi Carlile to perform two songs at her show in George, Washington.
Soundgarden’s reunion show took place during the 13th annual SMooCH fundraiser concert, which aids the Seattle Children’s Hospital. According to the organisation’s website, this year’s event raised $2.2 million. Previous performers at the event included Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Father John Misty, and Modest Mouse, among various others.
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