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Soundgarden Nearly Reunite At Tom Morello Justice Tour Stop in Seattle

3/25/09, 7:37 pm EST

Photo: Natkin/WireImage

Rock Daily spotted some reports about a near Soundgarden reunion last night in Seattle at one of Tom Morello’s Justice Tour stops. RS reader Chris Senn writes in with an eyewitness account of what went down at the Crocodile Cafe after the MC5’s Wayne Kramer, Morello’s Nightwatchman, Steve Earle and Morello’s new Street Sweeper had taken their turns onstage (YouTube after the jump!):

“Of course, with Tom Morello and Wayne Kramer in the building it’s a given the audience is in for some kind of incarnation of ‘Kick Out the Jams.’ For lead vocals they brought out Mark Arm, lead singer of Mudhoney, while Morello and Kramer faced off in a guitar duel front and center stage. Shortly after this an additional guitarist showed up quietly, playing at the side of the stage. Although it’s been over a decade since Soundgarden broke up and his signature beard is now gray, there’s no mistaking Kim Thayil!

When Thayil was playing I could see Matt Cameron peeking around the backstage curtain. That’s when it was obvious something was up because Cameron wasn’t announced on the bill. After the song they were playing at the time ended, whatever it was, Tom Morello had the announcement those at the Croc had been waiting for.

‘I haven’t been this fucking excited about something in a long time,’ Morello exclaimed, almost bubbling over with joy. ‘It’s like I won some type of contest or something.’ Then came the introduction: Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron and Tad Doyle as Tadgarden!!

The Soundgarden bandmates, playing for the first time together since the band broke up in 1997, didn’t take long to hit a groove. Tad Doyle, a veteran of the Seattle scene with a voice as rough as he looks and the size of about two Matt Camerons, screamed at the top of his lungs while bounding around the stage with reckless abandon. Their way-too-short three-song set rocked nonetheless. They tore through ‘Nothing to Say,’ and Morello joined them on ‘Spoonman.’ Kim Thayil displayed his signature guitar licks as if no time had passed. They finished with an energetic version of ‘Hunted Down.’ Then they were gone.”

There you go, folks. Chris Cornell, are you reading this?

Related Stories:

Talk Show Flashback: Soundgarden. Seattle. 1989.
Chris Cornell on Timbaland-Produced Scream: “I Think Fans Will Come Around to the Concept”
Chris Cornell Quotes Scripture, Responds to Trent Reznor’s Twitter Slam


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Comments

FatKid from Aurora on Mountain | 3/25/2009, 10:04 pm EST

I would have given my left nut to see that! tadgarden! TAD DOYLE!?

fuck yes.

Let Cornell continue his American idol tour of bullshit!

LONG LIVE TADGARDEN

Every Music Fan Ever | 3/25/2009, 10:14 pm EST

One could only dream.

robbbbbb | 3/25/2009, 10:32 pm EST

I guess the Cinnabon reunion doesn’t count.

drewfuss | 3/25/2009, 10:38 pm EST

fuckin a!!!!!!!! cornell come out of your musical coma and reunite with these guys…..

sy | 3/25/2009, 10:46 pm EST

are there any videos of that?????? youtube???

ChrisWho? | 3/25/2009, 11:16 pm EST

God damn! Of any three songs to play! Oh how I would have loved to be there…

Gringo Star | 3/25/2009, 11:25 pm EST

The only person possibly cooler than Kim Thayil: Tad Doyle.

grant.ruby | 3/25/2009, 11:33 pm EST

My brother was there! I just got off the phone with him & his telling was great. So fucking jealous!

Cornell - frustrating | 3/26/2009, 12:08 am EST

Cornell’s new album with Timberlake will bomb. He should realize Soundgarden is still in our minds.

Gav | 3/26/2009, 5:50 am EST

Tried to post the youtube link – seems ye can’t – but its there, just search for tadgarden – Tad Doyle though….*sigh*…such a shame

trevor | 3/26/2009, 10:54 am EST

resurrect soundgarden!

Schultz | 3/26/2009, 11:11 am EST

Cornell needs to fly back from Chile and hook back up with these guys pronto!

Ak Spencer 49 | 3/26/2009, 11:24 am EST

BRING BACK SOUNDGARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B | 3/26/2009, 11:42 am EST

fannypacks rule!

Josh | 3/26/2009, 12:07 pm EST

Just last night I was asking myself “What the hell happend to Kim Thayill?” How does a force like that just… stop? So reading this is a true joy… and to think Tad of all people held down the lead vocals. Sick!!!

Sounds like the Crocodile re-opening is going pretty well so far… sheesh.

Sanchez | 3/26/2009, 12:49 pm EST

ha ha ha….

TJ | 3/26/2009, 1:22 pm EST

90’s tour. Its obviously going to happen. or I hope it does.

Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Janes Addiction
and add Dinosaur Jr to the mix…

Imagine that! HUGE tour

MB | 3/26/2009, 1:47 pm EST

Soundgarden would be awesome to reunite but they cant all originally unless Matt Cameron somehow play with both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden simutaniously

josh | 3/26/2009, 1:49 pm EST

worst. vocals. ever.

Cornell on drums | 3/26/2009, 2:03 pm EST

Cornell is a drummer, a singing drummer no less. Bring back Hiro Yamamoto on bass.

TJ | 3/26/2009, 2:27 pm EST

Get Aburzzese back with Pearl Jam and they can play “Ten” front to back.. Then Soundgarden could have Cameron for the tour…
that would be SICK.

TJ | 3/26/2009, 2:36 pm EST

oh wait…
then Temple Of The Dog could headline.

mmd | 3/26/2009, 3:19 pm EST

Jeez. the band sounds great but Tad Doyle? His vocals were abominable. Maybe if Corneel sees this injustice done to his songs and vocals, he’ll quit his horrible r&B experimentation and front a real band. Come on Chris, don’t let Tad Doyle ruin your legacy.

mmd | 3/26/2009, 3:20 pm EST

Jeez. the band sounds great but Tad Doyle? His vocals were abominable. Maybe if Cornel sees the injustice done to his songs and vocals, he’ll quit his horrible r&B experimentation and front his real band again Come on Chris, don’t let Tad Doyle ruin your legacy!

ozzy | 3/26/2009, 3:33 pm EST

I was really supporting Cornell on his new solo adventure but it just doesn’t sound right. It’s okay but I was listening to Superunknown on the way to work and…I miss it. Let by gone’s be by gone’s. Re-unite!

Alice | 3/26/2009, 3:57 pm EST

Pearl Jam Performing “Ten”
Soundgarden
Mudhoney
Tem ple Of The Dog
Hole
Alice In Chains
Flipper

and why not Janes Addiction and Dinosaur Jr.

One big tour! who else would fit that is still playing or just reunited?

20 years later. Its about time.. I think.

Steel Dragon | 3/26/2009, 6:10 pm EST

Add Foo Fighters, since Nirvana is not possible.
Rage Against the Machine
Tool
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Mudhoney
Te mple Of The Dog
Smashing Pumpkins
Candlebox

Drop AIC, just can’t do it without Layne, and fuck HOLE!

SG fan | 3/26/2009, 6:30 pm EST

Well, since STP did their thing last year, I just say Get Weiland to sing with the Soundgarden Boys for an immediate vocal upgrade. If he was game that is.

Anonymous | 3/26/2009, 6:33 pm EST

who’s this lardass who’s not singing? he sucks!

Banjo Kazooie | 3/26/2009, 6:38 pm EST

I love Pearl Jam and I don’t want them to loose Cameron, but GOD I would love to see Soundgarden. Hell, I’ve seen PJ 3 times, let me see Soundgarden just once!!!

Banjo Kazooie | 3/26/2009, 6:41 pm EST

Let’s just get Soundgarden and Pearl Jam to tour together so we can get some Temple of the Dog as the encore set. That would be incredible.

Kims Deeler | 3/26/2009, 6:59 pm EST

Kim Thayil is too fucking cool to have a guy like 2009 Cornell playing with him.

Anonymous | 3/26/2009, 7:38 pm EST

This is an instrumental soundgarden.
Btw, the timbo-cornell album its great.

Dammit | 3/26/2009, 10:20 pm EST

I got ample warning of this and didn’t go because of my fucking job. Responsibility is SO overrated.

You Tad haters really need to pick up a copy of the “8 Way Santa” album by TAD….Sub Pop isreissuing it…..possibly the best record they put out.

theseeker | 3/26/2009, 10:35 pm EST

Agree with Josh. Really bad vocals. Ruined experience!

Drewdog21 | 3/26/2009, 11:08 pm EST

Who was that fat slob?

athousandguitars | 3/27/2009, 12:30 am EST

I Can’t believe Cornell’s off making annoying music with Timbaland when he could be playing with Soundgarden again…!

Anonymous | 3/27/2009, 5:18 am EST

This is like… As close as it comes to perfection… Minus Chris… Wow… I`m… Speechless.

Tristan | 3/27/2009, 5:26 am EST

Why are people expecting Tad Doyle to sound like Chris? He is just there to fill-in and have a good time.

tony montana | 3/27/2009, 7:16 am EST

soundgarden were the grunge band but this fat pileof blubber is a clown and what the fuck is he doing there.
couldn’t they have gotton somebody out of the crowd that could sing better?
chris , wake up from your poopfest and get this band together.
you made one of the greatest albums ever in superunknown and badmotorfinger ain’t no sluch either.
oh and fatso…EAT A FUCKIN’ CARROT!

JOSE LUIS | 3/27/2009, 11:28 am EST

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY ALL MY FUK LIFE.. WHEN THE REAL GRUNGE I MEAN THE REAL ALTERNATIVE GRUNGE WILL WAKE UP FROM THE SHADOWS.. I LOVE PRETTY NOOSE.. AND FEEL ON BLACK DAYS. AND OF COURSE BLACK HOLE SUN.. I LOVE SEASONS. FROM CHRIS CORNELL. AND I HOPE THE NEXT ALBUM BE THE BEST OF ALL. I LOVE YOU GUYS SOUNDGARDEN FOREVER..

JOSE LUIS | 3/27/2009, 11:32 am EST

I HOPE SOUNDGARDEN CAN GET BACK SOON.. BUT WITHOUT CORNELL THERE IS NO FUK SOUNDGARDEN COME ON.. CORNELL SAID IN A ENTERVIEW THAT HE WANTS THE SOUNDGARDEN REUNION.. SO.. MAYBE HE WILL COME BACK . AND MAYBE IS A REAL SURPRISE.. AND COULD BE VERY COOOL..

brad | 3/27/2009, 12:44 pm EST

All of you dumbasses bagging on Tad have proven yourselves ignorant. Especially Tony Montana, who claims to know something about grunge. Go look up TAD you idiot. Then come back and talk that shit.

Analog | 3/27/2009, 12:54 pm EST

Man, this video was shocking…ly BAD! Couldn’t hear anything, which is fine because I hated Spoonman, but I digress.
The real shock was seeing Tad front the band in place of one of the most beautiful rock gods ever, Chris Cornell (PLEEEEZEE COME BACK TO US!!). The contrast is quite stark and left me laughing. Sorry, no fat-bashing here, just laughing at the expectations of someone “twice the size of Matt Cameron” and expecting to see a 9 foot tall monster, instead there’s Tad. All due respect, but Chris Cornell he AIN’T. Glad I missed this one.

Tad's dayjob | 3/27/2009, 1:38 pm EST

Tad is a better butcher.

the stage in the video | 3/27/2009, 2:19 pm EST

plz plz get billy bob off me…cant breathe….oh yeah and the soundgarden dudes are looking like chicks trying to get back with an ex

Dallas Sez | 3/27/2009, 2:44 pm EST

Why are ppl harping on quality of this vid? It’s obvious it’s just a fan capturing a cool moment on whatever media he’s got. Geez…
And yea, the singer… blech. But who gives a rip? The band is SPOT ON!! Sounded GREAT! Loved it and am keeping all fingers crossed for reunion.

Evan | 3/27/2009, 2:52 pm EST

this better wake chris the fuck up

Dude Man | 3/27/2009, 3:12 pm EST

Soundgarden is definately my favorite band from the grunge era. We can only hope they get back together.

Anonymous | 3/27/2009, 8:07 pm EST

When did Dusty Rhodes join Soundgarden?

Robin | 3/28/2009, 12:50 am EST

“Tadgarden”, I love it!

Danimal | 3/28/2009, 9:44 am EST

Tad should go back to being a butcher.

Danimal | 3/28/2009, 9:45 am EST

Wait….he still is one.

tony montana | 3/28/2009, 11:23 am EST

HEY BRAD:
my comments were based on this fat pile of crap’s performance which fucking sucked.
if you didn’t see that then you’re the BONEHEAD!
his performance was pathetic and he hardly knew the lyrics.
what the heck are you smokin?
any yeah i know a shitload about all kinds of music.
this fat fuck SUCKED.
BUT THANX FOR YOUR TREASURABLE COMMENTS!

TONY MONTANA | 3/28/2009, 11:34 am EST

this versin of spoonman should have been called FAT ASS POOPMAN.
THIS WAS PATHETIC HAVING SUCH AN ATROCIOUS VOCAL PERFORMANCE IN THE PRESENCE OF ARTISTS LIKE KIM THAYIL.
POOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

TONY MONTANA | 3/28/2009, 11:36 am EST

HEY I DIDN’T KNOW JROSEANNE FORMED A BAND.
SHE SURE SINGS LIKE SHIT!

Badmitorfinger | 3/28/2009, 2:40 pm EST

Cornell needs a serious intervention, Soundgarden needs to reform and forge onward….after hearing his new cd, I’m more worried for Chris Cornell than I was for Layne Staley and his heroin habit…..
Leave Timberlake for Missy “misdemeanor” Elliot and Jonas Brothers
Eddie Vedder would never pull this kind of crap…

Naldo | 3/28/2009, 6:33 pm EST

The band sounds awesome, like they haven’t missed a step since 1997. Thayil rips it up.

As for Tadass, I think they recruited him as a total F U to Cornell. Almost like they were mocking him by getting the worst possible singer to fill in.

And though I respect Cornell for wanting to try something different and not resting on his laurels, at the same time its like ‘what the f^*& are you thinking? who is going to listen to this?’

Man oh man I wish Soundgarden would just reunite.

satanoscillatemymetallicsonata | 3/28/2009, 7:03 pm EST

I can’t believe Tad is still alive…huge man. 8 way santa is a great record…BadMotorFinger is the greatest album of that time in my opinion…the boys sounded tight. They must reform.

PeacefulChaos | 3/28/2009, 8:58 pm EST

When I heard they played “Nothing to Say” I had to listen to that song on the ipod again. What a great song. Screaming Life was greeat. It brought me back to a place long ago.

Chris Cornell has got to knock the adult contemporary shit off. But then Cameron has got a day job with Pearl Jam now, anyway, so it probably just can’t happen.

sg fan | 3/29/2009, 2:48 pm EST

absolute crap – and an insult to the memory of soundgarden. If they ever reunite I hope they do it properly in a decent venue with the Cornell out front, not that fat twit. What thayil & co were thinking letting him onstage with them I just dunno. And this was Cornell’s ex-wife’s club I hear? She used to manage the band in the old days right? What’s she smoking? Just apalling.

YO | 3/29/2009, 4:54 pm EST

this performance was horrendous. everyone commenting here needs to get over the 90’s grunge era and move on with their lives just like Chris Cornell has. His new album is amazing if you actually listen to it with an open mind. Soundgarden was an amazing band, but in all honesty they never sounded that great live, so who cares, just go see Chris Cornell live, he’s playing with better and younger musicians and he still plays all the awesome Soundgarden songs that you love, plus his solo stuff, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave, it doesn’t get much better than that, he has an unbelievable catalog of amazing music.

Chaos and Karma | 3/29/2009, 5:10 pm EST

Cornell missed the big reunion of all the exes in his life. I know he was out playing all the music he wrote himself.

dropd | 3/29/2009, 5:35 pm EST

robbbbbb, it was just a photoshop… THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!! Damn I wish I was there.

Bill O'Reilly-not | 3/29/2009, 7:16 pm EST

The spin stops here. It isn’t a Soundgarden reunion without Cornell in the picture. Anything else is a v-e-r-y cheap imitation.

And Cornell isn’t reading this tripe. He’s BUSY on a very extended tour right now, doing what he does best! Performing.

whoeveryouwantmetobe | 3/29/2009, 8:07 pm EST

Well, thank Rolling Stone for not callign this an official “reunion” as some articles have. If Chris was reading it was from Chile where he was rocking for a solid 3 hours. Glad Chris is doing his own thing as this goes to prove even with a crap singer at the helm people go gaga…you don’t have to be good…you just have to be nostalgic. Good to see Kim out again tho! AND…why would Cornell ever do a reunion in a venue owned by his ex? Yea..if you DONT want Cornell to show that is the sure way to do it!

blackcrowe | 3/30/2009, 10:10 am EST

the early 90s/grunge scene were my time and I loved them all, but folks…this more than blows. Music sounds fine, but Tad ain’t no Cornell.

I dig Tad and his whole thing, but this is awful.

Meanwhile, Cornell has become some bizarre sellout, making terrible music.

Audioslave was better than his recent solo stuff and Audioslave wasn’t very good, I’m afraid.

I don’t think I want to see Soundgarden reunite. They were of a time and a place and that time is over now. Besides, Cornell would probably want to “danceify” classic SG tracks.

Dex | 3/31/2009, 4:48 am EST

So, they didn’t reunite.

How is this news?

I nearly didn’t laugh at this article. Is that news?

Topher | 3/31/2009, 3:44 pm EST

3 of the 4 Soundgarden members did reunite and play for the first time in 12 years. Even though they didn’t play with Chris Cornell, it is news. Kim Thayil rarely plays in public anymore.

I agree that TAD wasn’t the best choice for vocals but it’s great to see Kim, Ben and Matt play together nonetheless.

you fucking idiots | 5/6/2009, 7:47 pm EST

first of all – why is always ten? all of pearl jams albums are great…they just grew up…like you should…
2nd – its a fun gig…did they play at dodger stadium? no. they played a small bar and a couple of tracks.
3rd – chris will get back together with soundgarden….the reunion is going to be announced in october

Anonymous | 5/7/2009, 10:18 pm EST

Tadgarden sucks ass. The band is nothing without Chris. I’m not saying they are bad musicians because I love soundgarden, but seriously???? Fuck that.

And lol at the Cinnabon reference. I saw that onion article too robbbbbb.

SONICPOST1 | 10/3/2009, 1:11 am EST

Why dont Soundgarden,Chris Cornell, Pearl Jam, Tom Morello and the rest of Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, Green Day all join up and become a ULTRA SUPERBAND :D

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