How did Soundgarden form?
The short version is this: Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto move from Chicago to Seattle in 1981 in order to attend Evergreen State College. Hiro answers a roommate wanted ad in 1984 and ends up moving in with Chris Cornell, a musician whom both Kim and Hiro had already met and jammed with. The three begin to play music together, with Chris on drums and vocals. Matt Cameron eventually joined as the full-time drummer in 1986 and the band goes on to make their first recordings on Sub Pop (see 1.7). For a more in-depth overview, click here or try these articles: Reflex (December 1991) or Rolling Stone (July 1992).
