For this past weekend’s Record Store Day event, Brandi Carlile released a vinyl single featuring covers of two Soundgarden songs. She recorded both tracks with the backing of the three surviving members of the grunge icons — guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron — marking the first official release from the trio following the 2017 death of Chris Cornell.
As Cameron and Thayil tell Rolling Stone, they’re open to playing more together in the future.
“We had a blast [playing with Carlile],” Cameron says. “I think most people assume the three of us over and done with since Chris passed away, but that’s not the case. It’s nice to know that people still want to hear us play together.”
“Playing with Ben and Matt is second nature for me,” Thayil adds. “Any opportunity to play with all of them again whether live or in the studio, I would embrace without hesitation.”
The single with Carlile includes performances of “Black Hole Sun” and “Searching with My Good Eye Closed.” Carlile previously played “Black Hole Sun” with Thayil, Shepherd and Cameron during the 2019 memorial concert in honor of Cornell, which has so far marked the last time the three have all performed together live.
In a recent interview with Kerrang!, Thayil said he was “uncomfortable” with the “celebrity nature” of the Cornell tribute concert.
By Josh Johnson
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