The reunited Seattle grunge band, Soundgarden, performed their first gig at the Soundbox nightclub in Seattle since getting back together. Listening to audio clips of the gig through Youtube, I’m absolutely fucking blown away. The band still HAS IT. That same tight energy they always had. Except, Soundgarden is meaner, stronger, and tighter than they ever were before. I think their tight energy comes from Matt Cameron’s impressive drumming skills. Cameron is a monster drummer just listen to him. I think Matt Cameron playing in Pearl Jam just made him a better drummer for Soundgarden, indeed.

When playing in a band, in my opinion, I think the drums is the most important instrument out of all instruments. If you want to be a tight and aggressive band, the drums do that for ya. It doesn’t matter how well you play guitar or bass, it’s the drums that makes all musicians play better.

Soundgarden is scheduled to play one gig so far, which is headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago. This isn’t the first time Soundgarden played Lollapalooza as the band played Perry Ferrell’s festival many times. I remember one year Lollapalooza was in Saratoga Springs at SPAC back in ’92 when RATM and Soundgarden were both the main headliners.

I really hope their Lollapalooza show in Chicago isn’t their only gig and hope Soundgarden sticks around for a full time tour, and hopefully new album. I think their Soundbox gig was just a test to see if they still have that popularity and if they can still play live. Yes, they still have both. How about that Matt Cameron? Their Lollapalooza gig is gonna be great. I’m glad they didn’t play, “Black Hole Sun” and played mostly their classics that fans want to hear! Chris’s vocals in these tracks are incredible. Just proves his solo career was a huge mistake.

Enjoy these amazing bootleg audio clips below.

Kev