When we think of Seattle grunge, a few obvious names come to mind. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden are often considered grunge’s big four. Of course, bands like Green River, Screaming Trees, and Melvins preceded the Sub Pop Seattle sound by a couple of years. Interestingly enough, Soundgarden was part of that late-80s pre-grunge scene as well.
Soundgarden formed in 1984 and released their debut EP, Screaming Life, on Sub Pop in 1987. Their debut album, Ultramega OK, came in 1988, then their second album, Louder Than Love, in 1989. Soundgarden became a pillar of the heavy, sludgy grunge style that was born in the underground scene. They pioneered a new kind of rock music. They took everything good about arena rock, punk, heavy metal, and Led Zeppelin riffs and combined it with frenetic, relentless energy.
Unpretentious, unconcerned, totally new yet somehow familiar, and exactly what the disaffected, cynical youth were looking for. Late-80s Soundgarden burst forth with every perfect element falling effortlessly into place. They had the sound, the skill, the attitude, and the look to capture everyone’s attention…