A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond

The memoir by co-founding member of Soundgarden and lead guitarist Kim Thayil about one of the 1990s' signature rock bands

From Soundgarden's humble beginnings manifesting grunge in Seattle's beer-soaked punk clubs to their revered status today as rock icons, the band's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. In A Screaming Life, founding member and guitar god Kim Thayil goes backstage to introduce the band that fearlessly pushed the boundaries of rock, invented a new genre, and amassed fervent fans from every corner of the world.

Thayil shares the story of how he and his Soundgarden bandmates--Hiro Yamamoto, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, and Chris Cornell--faced the triumphs and challenges on the road to their historic and influential rise. His storytelling channels the essence of Soundgarden's era-defining sound--one that's supercharged with raw creativity and unapologetic lyrics--and explores the ways that Soundgarden was shaped by the diverse backgrounds of its creators: Thayil's Indian heritage and founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto's Japanese background added unique dimensions to the band's identity, influencing not only their music but also their experiences in the industry.

For Soundgarden fans and '90s alternative rock enthusiasts, A Screaming Life not only gives behind-the-scenes access to one of the most revered bands, but it also demonstrates the power music and its creators have to transform culture.

KIM THAYIL is a Grammy Award-winning musician and Soundgarden's lead guitarist. Born in Seattle to immigrant parents, he grew up in Chicago before meeting Hiro Yamamoto and return-ing to the West Coast. Together with Chris Cornell, the trio founded Soundgarden and went on to create critically acclaimed albums, including Superunknown. Rolling Stone has ranked Thayil among the greatest guitarists of all time, and Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.

ADEM TEPEDELEN is a free-lance editor and writer, whose work has appeared in Decibel, Rolling Stone, Seattle Weekly, and many other publications. He is the coauthor of Mud Ride, with Steve Turner, and A Fabulous Disaster, with Gary Holt.