Alright I’ve had a couple days now to finally digest the magnitude and whirlwind of what happened this past Friday. Living in a city like this has its many perks and privileges when it comes to music I suppose. Sometimes you can become a little jaded to the fact that we do get our fare share of excellent shows, especially ones that involve the local musicians who were so hugely important while growing up in the 90’s. With this in mind, never in my life would I have guessed that I would have had the opportunity to see such a historic moment as was the reunited SOUNDGARDEN playing their first show in 13 years in front of give or take 1200 people at Showbox. Since 1997 was a couple years before I started going to shows on a consistent basis. I have long thought I had missed my chance, even with the four members alive and well.
The band kept crowd interaction to a minimum, Chris joked a bit but overall it was all business as the guys barely even acknowledged each other beyond a few quick smirks. The combo of “Hunted Down” and “Nothing to Say” was a surprise highlight, first reason being the Record Store Day re-release of Soundgarden’s very first 7” on Sub Pop scheduled for the next day (Kim had to remind Chris of that point). Second being they were 2 of the 3 songs played during last year’s amazing Tadgarden surprise. Thirdly they were so off the charts massive. On both of the 7” single tracks along with “Loud Love” in particular, Ben Shepherd was badass. He obviously knew how monstrous his bass sound was by the “don’t fuck with this” look on his face. Matt Cameron just flat out did his thing. His non-flashy workhorse style never ever wavers, and it was amazing to have seen him playing with his old band while of course not even breaking a sweat. Matt’s talents never cease to amaze, and I’m sure Eddie, who was rumored to be in attendance along with Stone, Mike and Jeff was very proud.
Next came two numbers from the “Down on the Upside” record. Chris rallied full participation while holding the mic stand out over the crowd at the end of “Blow Up the Outside World”, and the chant had to have been heard out on the street. “Pretty Noose” sounded great as well but was probably the only shaky number of the night.
As you can see from the set list, they included quite a few early cuts. The inclusion of “Beyond the Wheel” off Ultramega OK briefly took me for a loop early on. Overall, it was a great mix that hit every release at least once, and I’m happy they left off “Black Hole Sun”. A couple songs I was hoping for that didn’t make the cut included: “Fresh Tendrils”, “My Wave”, “Somewhere”, and “Hands All Over”, but who’s complaining. I’m not sure if I can actually express in words what the teenager in me was feeling finally hearing “Searching With My Good Eye Closed”, “Outshined”, “Loud Love”, and “Fell on Black Days” for real as opposed to a Chris Cornell solo or Audioslave cover version. At just under 30 years of age and having seen some truly amazing shows over the last 10+ years, all I can think is man I just saw something that is beyond description, beyond writing a stupid review for a blog, beyond anything that I had planned for my life even. I stood there following the show wide eyed in amazement, beaten, battered, ears ringing and fatigued but probably as happy as I have ever been. I basically still can’t believe that it happened and on such short notice. A week ago if you would have told me I would be part of the lucky group who just saw SOUNDGARDEN in Seattle at the Showbox in 2010. I’d say you were fucking high. Somebody pinch me already…
A sincere thank you to the folks who were involved in myself being at the right place at the right time when it came down to GO time, you know who you are. I also hope I was personally able to guide a few folks towards their tickets as well.
Info from Soundgarden email blast including free download of a live version of "Spoonman" from 11/30/96:
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