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Biography of Audioslave In the hard rock world circa 2002, one of the most highly anticipated releases was the debut recording of Audioslave, a band comprising former, Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and ex-Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass), and Brad Wilk, (drums). After long-time Rage Against The Machine singer Zack De La Rocha announced his exit from the band in late 2000, rumours began circulating that Cornell (who at the time was attempting to establish himself as a solo artist, in the wake of Soundgarden's 1997 split) was going to replace De La Rocha. With all members of the proposed new group keeping a tight lip about what was going on, the quartet wrote and recorded tracks throughout 2001 (with renowned rap/heavy metal producer Rick Rubin handling production chores). Fans began referring to the band as Civilian (a name supposedly considered by its members, but ultimately rejected), and in March 2002, it was announced that the quartet would be touring as part of the year's edition of Ozzfest. Less than a week after the tour's announcement, another press release was issued to the displeasure of fans, that Cornell had abruptly quit the band (reportedly over a disagreement over their inability to agree on a record company/manager). The band's recordings were going to be issued anyway, but in May 2002, early versions of the album's tracks were leaked online. The saga of this still unnamed band took another bizarre turn in September of the same year, when it was announced that Cornell had patched up his differences with the other members and had rejoined. The band's official name, Audioslave, was finally divulged and they released their excellent self-titled debut in November, and followed it up with a supporting tour. In less than a month it was already on some critics lists as the album of the year. |
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Biography of Rage Against the Machine The name says everything about Rage Against The Machine. The aggressive musical blend of metal guitar and hip-hop rhythms is an appropriate background to the rap-styled delivery of angry, confrontational, political lyrics, addressing concerns over inner city deprivation, racism, censorship, propaganda, the plight of Native Americans and many other issues as the band strive to offer more than mere entertainment. Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1991 by Tom Morello (born May 30th, 1964, New York City, New York, USA; guitar, ex-Lock Up) and Zack De La Rocha (born January 12th, 1970, Long Beach, California, USA; vocals, ex-Inside Out), with Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (born September 5th, 1968, Portland, Oregon, USA; drums), Rage Against The Machine signed a major record contract with, importantly, creative control on the strength of a self-released tape and some impressive early live shows. Further live work with Pearl Jam, Body Count , Tool, and Suicidal Tendencies, ensued, with the band encountering trouble with the French government during the Suicidal tour over T-shirts that showed a genuine CIA instructional cartoon on how to make a Molotov cocktail, taken from documents made for the Nicaraguan Contra rebels. The T-shirts were confiscated and destroyed by French Customs. The band subsequently released a self-titled debut, containing several tracks from their earlier cassette, with a stunning cover photograph of a Buddhist monk burning himself to death in protest at the Vietnam War, and rose rapidly to fame, Henry Rollins describing them as "the most happening band in the US". The album was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and Rage Against The Machine enjoyed single success with "Killing In The Name", although de la Rocha was distinctly unhappy with a radio edit that removed all expletives and "completely shut down the whole purpose of that song". A sell-out UK tour in 1993 was followed by a silent protest against the P-M-R-C on the Philadelphia leg of the Lollapalooza festival tour. Evil Empire was another successful album, reaching number 1 in the USA. Tracks such as the highly political "Vietnow" and "Down Rodeo" showed the band at their potent best, while the incendiary "Bulls On Parade" provided them with a transatlantic hit single. Beyond the swearing lay some of the most honest and powerful lyrical statements to be made during the 90s. After another long hiatus, the band returned in November 1999 with The Battle Of Los Angeles. Hardly deviating from the blueprint of their previous two records, the album was warmly received by their supporters but dismissed by detractors who felt the band had nothing new left to say. La Rocha left the following year, making his final appearance with the band on the cover versions set, Renegades. |
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Biography of Soundgarden This Seattle-based US quartet fused influences as diverse as Led Zeppelin, the StoogesVelvet Underground and, most particularly, early UK and US punk bands into a dirty, sweaty, sexually explicit and decidedly fresh take on rock 'n' roll. The band, Chris Cornell (born July 20th, 1964, Seattle, Washington, USA; vocals/guitar), Kim Thayil (born September 4th, 1960, Seattle, Washington, USA; guitar), Hiro Yamamoto (born September 20th, 1968, Okinawa, Japan; bass) and Matt Cameron (born November 28th, 1962, San Diego, USA; drums), proffered a sound characterized by heavy-duty, bass-laden metallic riffs, which swung between dark melancholia and avant garde minimalism. Cornell's ranting vocal style and articulate lyrics completed the effect. The band's first recording, 1987's six-song Screaming Life EP, was the second release on the hugely influential Sub Pop Records label, and marked out their territory. Indeed, Thayil had brought together the label's owners Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in the first place. Following the Fopp EP, the band became the first of the Sub Pop generation to sign to a major when they attracted the attention of A&M Records, although their debut set, Ultramega OK, was released through SST Records in order to maintain their indie credibility. A&M eventually released Louder Than Love, one of the most underrated and offbeat rock albums of 1989. After its release Cameron and Cornell also participated in the two million-selling Temple Of The Dog album, that co-featured future Pearl Jam members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament laying tribute at the door of deceased Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood. However, following the recording sessions for Louder Than Love, Yamamoto was replaced by Jason Everman (ex-Nirvana)though he played on only one track, a cover version of the Beatles "Come Together", before departing for Mindfunk via Skunk. His eventual replacement was band friend Ben "Hunter" Shepherd (born September 20th, 1968, USA). Badmotorfinger built on the band's successful formula but added insistent riffs, the grinding but melodious guitar sound that would come to define the grunge genre, and their own perspectives on politics, religion and society. Among its many absorbing moments was the MTV-friendly single "Jesus Christ Pose". Landing the support slot on Guns N'Roses' US Illusions tour deservedly opened up Soundgarden to a much wider audience. Superunknown capitalized on this, and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard chart on 19 March 1994. Produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soul Asylum, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and the band themselves, it was a magnum opus, clocking in at more than 70 minutes and featuring 15 songs. Eventually selling over three million copies, it was promoted by an Australasian tour in January 1994, headlining the "Big Day Out" festival package above the Ramones, Smashing Pumpkins, and Teenage Fanclub, before moving on to Japan. Down On The Upside was another fine album, recorded during Cornell's allegedly serious drug problems; the record belied the band's internal strife with intense but highly melodic heavy rock. Continuing unrest in the camp led to the band's split in April 1997, with Cameron moving on to Pearl Jam and Cornell embarking on a solo career. |
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