Soundgarden Didn’t Plan Their Reunion

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Reunions, Rock,

Soundgarden never intended to reunite.

The group recently got back together after splitting 16 years ago and frontman Chris Cornell admits the reunion only came about when they held meetings to discuss ways of reconnecting with their fans online.

"The idea originally wasn't to restart the band. We got back into a room just to think about ideas of reconnecting with our fans, like starting a website again and starting the fan club again. But after the first five minutes of seeing if anyone had changed or gone weird had passed, it felt really comfortable," Chris said.

The 47-year-old rocker also insisted the group haven't reunited for financial reasons and says they are looking forward to making music in their own way: "We're back for the right reasons. No one is trying to go for the quick money. Now we don't have to try to be like anyone. We are who we are and we do what we want."

Soundgarden play the Download festival on June 10 and Hard Rock Calling on July 13.

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Chris Cornell: Rock Has Lost its Place

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Upcoming Releases, Rock,

Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell thinks rock has "lost its place." The singer and guitarist puts the decline of rock down to a lack of exposure in mainstream media in favor of other genres.

"It's definitely lost its place at the center of the musical universe. When I was growing up in the late Seventies, everyone could identify the five or 10 bands that formed the center. Even if you preferred the fringe - The Clash, over, say, Van Halen - you still knew what the center was. Now kids turn on the radio and hear Eminem or Kanye West, so that's what they gravitate towards."

Chris also pointed to the way technology has fragmented people's attention, and changed the way many people set about making music, on mobile devices and laptops which often come pre-loaded with production software geared more towards making electronic music: "They're making music on iPhones. Everything's fractured. The reason there's no modern-day Shakespeare is because he didn't have anything to do except sit in a room with a candle and think."

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Taylor Momsen Inspired by Nirvana

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, Performances, Rock,

Taylor Momsen became a rock musician after growing up listening to AC/DC and Nirvana.

The Pretty Reckless frontwoman - currently working on a follow-up to the group's 2010 debut Light Me Up - was inspired to start making heavy rock 'n' roll music by her father's albums.

"My dad has a massive record collection. So I grew up listening to vinyl, you know all the classics, Beatles, Zeppelin, Who, Pink Floyd, you know AC/DC, Soundgarden, Nirvana. So I just, I kind of grew up with it, and it just stuck," she said.

The 18-year-old singer-and-actress was "so excited" when the "Miss Nothing" hitmakers completed their debut album, but she thinks it's the "most incredible feeling in the world" when fans sing her own songs back to her during live performances: "Finishing the record was the first thing. When it was actually done, you know, I was so excited. But then, you know writing any type of song - any time you finish something that's like the best feeling in the world. And then what comes after that is playing it live, and then from, translating from playing it live to having the fans sing every word to every song back to you is just the most incredible feeling in the world."

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Soundgarden Releasing New Album Through Guitar Hero

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Artist News, Upcoming Releases, Alternative, Rock, New Releases,

Soundgarden is releasing their first album in 13 years … through popular video game Guitar Hero. The bold move hasn’t been tried by any other band, but Chris Cornell thinks it’s the perfect way to re-introduce their music.

“It’s going to reach a certain amount of younger people that either may or may not know about Soundgarden,” he explained in a recent interview. “I feel like releasing it this way is going to reach a lot of people who have not heard our music or have not heard a lot of it.”

The album, Telephantasm, is filled with popular tracks from the band’s 90s-era heyday as well as some new tracks. It’s available on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Based on the number of games sold, the album has already been granted platinum status.

“I thought about doing this ever since I’ve heard about the game and what it is,” Cornell said. “I think the musical arrangements lend itself so well to what the video game is.”

Read More | Yahoo! News

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Mix Tape: Stephen King Works with Shooter Jennings, Courtney Love Tours with Hole

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Performances, Upcoming Releases, Alternative, Country, Rock,

-It’s no secret that Stephen King is a music lover, so why not help Shooter Jennings with his upcoming concept album?

-Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams will soon be following Ashlee Simpson-Wentz’s shoes. She’ll start playing Roxie Hart in Chicago next month.

-Speaking of Broadway, that’s where Green Day’s musical is headed. American Idiot will kick off on April 20.

-It’s time to unpack your flannel. Chris Cornell has confirmed that Soundgarden will be reuniting. The band split in 1997.

-And while we’re on the grunge page, let’s talk about Courtney Love. The singer will be touring with her band Hole next month in Europe.

Gallery: Mix Tape: Stephen King Works with Shooter Jennings, Courtney Love Tours with Hole