Kim Thayil Says a New Soundgarden Album is a Possibility, but Not a Tour
Since the death of Chris Cornell, the future of Soundgarden has been up in the air, and that’s something guitarist Kim Thayil addressed in a new interview.
An album of unreleased material involving demo recordings of Cornell has been known about since July, but there has been issues with Thayil and the rest of Soundgarden obtaining those Cornell recordings. Thayil reiterated regarding a new Soundgarden album, “It is entirely possible, because that’s what we were doing… We definitely have another record in us. Stuff that’s written, stuff that’s demoed and recorded — certainly. All it would need is to take the audio files that are available. I’d tighten up the guitar stuff that’s on there, add other stuff. Ben [Shepherd] does the bass. Matt [Cameron] is able to get the drums he wants. We can get the producers we want to make it sound like a Soundgarden record. And yes, we can totally do that.”
Regarding the issues around obtaining those Cornell demos standing in the way of a new Soundgarden album, Thayil said, “There shouldn’t be — there really isn’t — other than the fact that we don’t have those files… And I think that will happen. It would be ridiculous if it didn’t. But these are difficult things — partnerships and property.”
While a new album might be in the cards, any sort of tour, according to Thayil, really isn’t.
“I do not see, given the commitments that other bandmembers have, given our sentiments and love for Chris, I do not see us reconfiguring a tour or anything, as other bands have done in the past, without him,” said Thayil. However, he did add that if Soundgarden were to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a performance from the band wouldn’t be out of the question.
“…20 [or] 30 years ago, we didn’t think the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was anything, but certainly, looking back, it’s an important part of our legacy — the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is — to acknowledge that, and now it’s important,” said Thayil.
Soundgarden is nominated for the 2020 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and are currently ranked fourth in the the Rock Hall Fan Vote behind Dave Matthews Band, Pat Benatar and The Doobie Brothers.
The Rock Hall fan vote lasts through January 10, 2020 at 11:59 PM EST. The top five artists from the fan vote will make up the “fans’ ballot” and be counted among the other ballots from the Rock Hall voting committee. Fans can vote for artists in three different ways:
-By searching “Vote Rock Hall 2020” or any nominee name plus “vote” on Google to cast a vote
-By voting at RockHall.com
-By voting in person at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland
Remembering Chris Cornell
