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Kim Thayil Releases Memoir, Preps Cornell Demo Songs

6/10/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kim Thayil Launches Memoir

Kim Thayil released his memoir A Screaming Life on June 9, 2026.
Thayil is finalizing unreleased songs that use Chris Cornell’s last demo recordings.
The memoir, co-written with journalist Adem Tepedelen, leaves Thayil self-critical and still affects him months later.
Thayil will discuss the book with Krist Novoselic at Elliott Bay Book Co. on June 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Thayil will sign copies at Easy Street Records on June 13 at 7 p.m.

Summary

Soundgarden Gains Momentum

Soundgarden’s unfinished album is progressing in a sideways, non-linear manner, according to guitarist Kim Thayil.
Drummer Matt Cameron is now free of Pearl Jam commitments, prompting guitarist Kim Thayil to want a tour with Cameron and bassist Ben Shepherd because the new material sounds best when the three play together.
The recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, along with memoir and album projects, is giving Soundgarden renewed momentum.

History

Historical Context

When Soundgarden released Superunknown on March 8 1994, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 310,000 copies sold in its first week and earned two Grammy Awards, cementing the band’s role in the early-1990s grunge surge. In 2026 guitarist Kim Thayil’s memoir revisits that breakthrough, linking the album’s legacy to today’s renewed touring momentum.

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Kim Thayil Launches Memoir

Kim Thayil released his memoir A Screaming Life on June 9, 2026.
Thayil is finalizing unreleased songs that use Chris Cornell’s last demo recordings.
The memoir, co-written with journalist Adem Tepedelen, leaves Thayil self-critical and still affects him months later.
Thayil will discuss the book with Krist Novoselic at Elliott Bay Book Co. on June 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Thayil will sign copies at Easy Street Records on June 13 at 7 p.m.

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