A Screaming Life
Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond
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4.9 • 11 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The memoir by co-founding member of Soundgarden and lead guitarist Kim Thayil about one of the 1990s’ signature rock bands
From Soundgarden’s humble beginnings manifesting grunge in Seattle's beer-soaked punk clubs to their revered status today as rock icons, the band’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. In A Screaming Life, founding member and guitar god Kim Thayil goes backstage to introduce the band that fearlessly pushed the boundaries of rock, invented a new genre, and amassed fervent fans from every corner of the world.
Thayil shares the story of how he and his Soundgarden bandmates—Hiro Yamamoto, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, and Chris Cornell—faced the triumphs and challenges on the road to their historic and influential rise. His storytelling channels the essence of Soundgarden’s era-defining sound—one that’s supercharged with raw creativity and unapologetic lyrics—and explores the ways that Soundgarden was shaped by the diverse backgrounds of its creators: Thayil's Indian heritage and founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto's Japanese background added unique dimensions to the band's identity, influencing not only their music but also their experiences in the industry.
For Soundgarden fans and ‘90s alternative rock enthusiasts, A Screaming Life not only gives behind-the-scenes access to one of the most revered bands, but it also demonstrates the power music and its creators have to transform culture.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this entertaining memoir, Thayil, cofounder of grunge band Soundgarden, recounts how "two Asian guys and a singing drummer playing psychedelic, feedback-drenched post-punk" blazed musical trails in the 1980s and '90s. Thayil, the son of Indian immigrants, grew up in the Chicago suburbs in the 1960s. He wrote his first song at age eight; his first band was a punk group he assembled for a senior English project. After high school, Thayil traveled around the country with his friend Hiro Yamamoto, landing in Seattle, where the two formed Soundgarden with their friend Chris Cornell while Thayil earned a philosophy degree. The group's first album, Ultramega OK ("a heavy record that didn't rely on dumbass tropes about chicks, parties, and the devil"), was released in 1988, attracting attention from major record labels and their musical heroes. Thayil balances his enthusiasm about the band's rise with frank discussions about creative conflicts over the group's hard-rock and psychedelic influences, which contributed to its breakup in 1997. Thayil's grief over Cornell's death in 2017 is particularly moving. Readers will find it an amiable and intriguing history of an influential rock group.
Customer Reviews
Fascinating and Well Told History of Soundgarden
Great insight into the early Seattle scene and Soundgarden’s band dynamics. Pinpoints well the people, places and vibe of that era. Who would know better than Kim!