Superunknown is the greatest record of a generation and Cornell is the greatest singer /songwriter of multiple generations - I saw Cornell sing live 50 times between SG, AS, solo work -
You are a lucky one. Unfortunately I only saw him once and that was in his Audioslave era. Well, I guess once is better than none at all 😁 I would have LOVED to be at a Soundgarden concert. Definitely my favorite band of all time.
I can only speak for myself. I’m 2 years older than Chris, maybe same age or younger than Kim. Matt and I are both from rural San Diego, where we rode bikes in the dirt. This record, in its time, was next generation, and such a relief in terms of rock expression to those of us chocking on “disco,” and “big hair,” and actually listening to, and playing, music from a decade before us, Led Zeppelin to Lynyrd Skynyrd. When this record came out, I took it in like a sponge, and it was a masterpiece, like Zeppelin’s first album. I imagine Chris, after sort of writing under a surname for Soundgarden, felt incredibly vulnerable sharing his own stuff. I look at x number of likes etc, to this interview and I think this, thanks to Michael’s incredibly confident, brave, honest, stories, from one of the most successful producers of his time, paints the most insightful picture of Soundgarden, the members of Soundgarden, and the makers of this breakthrough album I’ve ever heard. My sincere gratitude to you both, and everyone. Seriously, fits right in with the brutal honesty of the topic expressed and received.
I'm in your age bracket too - 53 as of this writing. All the Seattle bands were such a breath of fresh air! My buddies and I listened to more 70's rock during the 80's than we did of the current rock of the day. End of the 80's, early 90's was magical - the Seattle bands, but also great stuff like Black Crowes, Tracy Chapman, Helmet, RAtM, RHCP, Melvins (also Seattle), Kyuss - it was a rock music renaissance!
"no attention" did appear later on the Down on the Upside album. I think it's interesting that Bad Motorfinger (previous album) was not mentioned in the interview. This was a great album that leaped ahead of their previous albums, it got overshadowed commercially by Nirvana's Nevermind (they were released the same month). Superunknown needed to top Bad Motorfinger, that was the deal that Mike Beinhorn understood.
Absoluted loved this mans production on Superunknown. None of that glossy hangover from 80s rock production that put me off other albums from that time. He really let all the elements breath. I was a b- boy back in the early 80's, so awesome to know he produced Rockit! - Thank you sir! 🙏
@@ruanddu Chris was writing music when a robin flew into his window and fell on the ground. He went outside to finish it off so it wouldn’t suffer. Lol. You can google that story. Sorry for laughing but it gets me every time.
Finally what everyone has suspected for decades emerges: Superunkown, and by extension Soundgarden, wouldn't be anywhere near as influential as they have become were it not for this man's careful and discerning shepherding. An unsung hero if there ever was one.
@@MrOctober44 Ben Hunter Shepherd is quite a fascinating name IMO, given the hunter / shepherd dichotomy, or contrast. Benny signed my Screaming Elf T-Shirt after Soundgarden's 2013 (?) Sydney gig, shared the sentiment I expressed about _I Awake,_ which they played life for the first time in forever at that gig (in fact he said it was the song he was most looking forward to playing when Soundgarden reformed). Sadly, I forgot to mention or thank him for writing Head Down, my favourite song ever, fullstop. Me and my friend got in a good gush about the mind-blowing genius of Hater the Second, however (esp. Uncotrolled & Walk Alone). Damn I could go on and on and on. I'm pretty sure I've even deciphered the meaning of _'The Orange Marmalade'_ songs...not to mention a coupla-few mysteries I've yet to see any fellow SG fans mention ;p
I totally get the third eye concept - that the creative collaboration brings a third consciousness. Wow I really can see that concept across most of the (bands) music that I enjoy. Great interview. Thank you.
We are now perfectly aware of the interviewer's disdain for Spoonman; too bad it is of no importance or relevant to talking with this genius about his work with other geniuses. I appreciate the rest of the interview, and I'm so grateful for it, and I wish that opinions on the subject of Artis the spoon man, and the song could have been avoided; they get in the way of the flow in my experience. Thanks for this, very informational.
the producer Michael said he didn’t like the song and he was just making a connection with him. These days people can’t handle opposing ideas and long for an echo chamber.
Micheal beinhorn seems like he knows his stuff seems very intelligent. Kim thayil used the peavey vtm 120 on badmotorfinger and i love that tone on that record. Michael give me the idea for my guitar rig i combine a mesa triple rectifier with a Marshall vintage modern, the mesa has lots of mid range the marshall covers the highs and lows it sounds great!!!!
So maybe this guy is the reason they self-produced their next album, good or bad. Or at least he set them up to be able to do that. I got the impression from interviews they didn't like having a producer.
"he was an interesting character'... Okay man you said that a few times... What the hell was interesting what did he do.. Tell us more... Was he drunk? was he sociable? What did he say to you?
Superunknown is the greatest record of a generation and Cornell is the greatest singer /songwriter of multiple generations - I saw Cornell sing live 50 times between SG, AS, solo work -
You are a lucky one. Unfortunately I only saw him once and that was in his Audioslave era. Well, I guess once is better than none at all 😁 I would have LOVED to be at a Soundgarden concert. Definitely my favorite band of all time.
I can only speak for myself. I’m 2 years older than Chris, maybe same age or younger than Kim. Matt and I are both from rural San Diego, where we rode bikes in the dirt. This record, in its time, was next generation, and such a relief in terms of rock expression to those of us chocking on “disco,” and “big hair,” and actually listening to, and playing, music from a decade before us, Led Zeppelin to Lynyrd Skynyrd. When this record came out, I took it in like a sponge, and it was a masterpiece, like Zeppelin’s first album. I imagine Chris, after sort of writing under a surname for Soundgarden, felt incredibly vulnerable sharing his own stuff. I look at x number of likes etc, to this interview and I think this, thanks to Michael’s incredibly confident, brave, honest, stories, from one of the most successful producers of his time, paints the most insightful picture of Soundgarden, the members of Soundgarden, and the makers of this breakthrough album I’ve ever heard. My sincere gratitude to you both, and everyone. Seriously, fits right in with the brutal honesty of the topic expressed and received.
I'm in your age bracket too - 53 as of this writing. All the Seattle bands were such a breath of fresh air! My buddies and I listened to more 70's rock during the 80's than we did of the current rock of the day. End of the 80's, early 90's was magical - the Seattle bands, but also great stuff like Black Crowes, Tracy Chapman, Helmet, RAtM, RHCP, Melvins (also Seattle), Kyuss - it was a rock music renaissance!
Didn't Badmotorfinger achieve that 3 years before?
"no attention" did appear later on the Down on the Upside album. I think it's interesting that Bad Motorfinger (previous album) was not mentioned in the interview. This was a great album that leaped ahead of their previous albums, it got overshadowed commercially by Nirvana's Nevermind (they were released the same month). Superunknown needed to top Bad Motorfinger, that was the deal that Mike Beinhorn understood.
Michael really got the best out of Soundgarden in the studio despite the disagreements with them and made the greatest album of the 1990s
Absoluted loved this mans production on Superunknown. None of that glossy hangover from 80s rock production that put me off other albums from that time. He really let all the elements breath. I was a b- boy back in the early 80's, so awesome to know he produced Rockit! - Thank you sir! 🙏
Michael is such a sympathetic, funny guy😀
On one of my most favorite albums by possibly my favourite band ever, Like Suicide has to be my favourite song (on this album).
Unbelievably good song!!
About da bird.
@@christinecanty5409 Sorry but don't understand your reply? Could you please elaborate?
@@ruanddu Chris was writing music when a robin flew into his window and fell on the ground. He went outside to finish it off so it wouldn’t suffer. Lol. You can google that story. Sorry for laughing but it gets me every time.
@@christinecanty5409 oh thanks didn't know that!
Man, this was really great. Great questions and very candid and open answers. Thanks!
Glad to hear. Thank you.
This interview was a banger. Loved the insight you dug out of him.
Thank you. Good to hear.
Finally what everyone has suspected for decades emerges: Superunkown, and by extension Soundgarden, wouldn't be anywhere near as influential as they have become were it not for this man's careful and discerning shepherding. An unsung hero if there ever was one.
Fact
His Ben shepherding? 😁
@@MrOctober44 Ben Hunter Shepherd is quite a fascinating name IMO, given the hunter / shepherd dichotomy, or contrast. Benny signed my Screaming Elf T-Shirt after Soundgarden's 2013 (?) Sydney gig, shared the sentiment I expressed about _I Awake,_ which they played life for the first time in forever at that gig (in fact he said it was the song he was most looking forward to playing when Soundgarden reformed).
Sadly, I forgot to mention or thank him for writing Head Down, my favourite song ever, fullstop. Me and my friend got in a good gush about the mind-blowing genius of Hater the Second, however (esp. Uncotrolled & Walk Alone). Damn I could go on and on and on. I'm pretty sure I've even deciphered the meaning of _'The Orange Marmalade'_ songs...not to mention a coupla-few mysteries I've yet to see any fellow SG fans mention ;p
I totally get the third eye concept - that the creative collaboration brings a third consciousness. Wow I really can see that concept across most of the (bands) music that I enjoy. Great interview. Thank you.
We are now perfectly aware of the interviewer's disdain for Spoonman; too bad it is of no importance or relevant to talking with this genius about his work with other geniuses. I appreciate the rest of the interview, and I'm so grateful for it, and I wish that opinions on the subject of Artis the spoon man, and the song could have been avoided; they get in the way of the flow in my experience. Thanks for this, very informational.
the producer Michael said he didn’t like the song and he was just making a connection with him. These days people can’t handle opposing ideas and long for an echo chamber.
Micheal beinhorn seems like he knows his stuff seems very intelligent. Kim thayil used the peavey vtm 120 on badmotorfinger and i love that tone on that record. Michael give me the idea for my guitar rig i combine a mesa triple rectifier with a Marshall vintage modern, the mesa has lots of mid range the marshall covers the highs and lows it sounds great!!!!
Wow this was cool.
Intelligent guy.
Also Spoonman... I struggle with it. I definitely like the groove but the subject - eh... Just rubs me weird.
No Attention was on the next album,I didn’t know it dated back to that time
What was the bluesy song with Jerry Cantrell on guitar?
So maybe this guy is the reason they self-produced their next album, good or bad. Or at least he set them up to be able to do that. I got the impression from interviews they didn't like having a producer.
All songs on that album were great... But if I had to rank them all, black hole son would be at the bottom.
"he was an interesting character'... Okay man you said that a few times... What the hell was interesting what did he do.. Tell us more... Was he drunk? was he sociable? What did he say to you?
Spoonman is my least favorite song as well. The fact that Artis dissed Chris' lyrics made me like it even less.