Legendary Musician and Guitarist Kim Thayil

Legendary musician and guitarist Kim Thayil, responsible for those rip-roaring riffs and unmistakable sounds, says he had to practice about a dozen or so old Soundgarden songs to prepare for Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s latest romp, “Sounds of Seattle,” the camp that gives real people the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect and jam with their musical heroes. We caught up with Thayil earlier to hear all about it, what else he’s up to, and more. This is a LifeMinute with Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil.

[@robwalsh9843]

Kim was such an inspiration. Punk yet metal. Simple yet technical. Brutish yet psychedelic. When you hear a Kim Thayil riff, you know its him.

[@PlinyTheYounger333]

IS not WAS * 💜 🤘🏻

[@birdzzzondayflu2489]

was

[@anydaynow01]

Agreed, going through HS and listening to his riffs in the new Soundgarden CD that dropped was pretty epic, RIP Chris!

[@Elizabeth-xn9rk]

Was? Or is?!

[@ReadyMindsetGo]

IS and ALWAYS WILL BE an inspiration!! \m/

[@donofly]

Kim Thayil is such a good guy, and talented artist. I don't have the words to explain how much SG means to me.

[@jeaninesilva5055]

My favorite band...Soundgarden

[@warborn_inc.]

Fortunate enough to have met Kim twice about 10 years apart and he was just cool and as down to earth as it gets. When I met him the 2nd time he actually remembered me and our conversation which I was impressed by considering how many people he surely had met and had far more in depth talks with...as soon as I said "I was that guy back in 92 etc" he said..."Oh yeah..." and went on to describe the scene were in a decade earlier. Solid guy and doesn't get near enough recognition as a guitarist in my opinion

[@michaelblaine6494]

I know this was last year but it’s great to see Kim get the attention he always deserved

[@exoticgirl1]

Oh...my....God...Kim just gave me hope to hear these freaking talented guys play again, together! And how amazing does he look! Oh man, this is an awsome birthday gift 😍😍

[@City2x]

Kim is a real cool dude.

[@JF-rf9fx]

I could listen to Kim talk all day long. If you're reading this, I look up to you and hope you're doing good.

[@user-ir9jw9yo8v]

Kim Thayils sound is my all time favorite. So glad he is still at it.

[@tremarctos9]

great interview and great insight with Kim - SG is by far the greatest rock band of the 90's - superuknown is the greatest record of the 90's and Cornell is the greatest of all time

[@AliKhan-sy9jy]

WORD! All true

[@TrevorLahey3]

Definitely. I absolutely love Superunknown, and nobody else came close, but in my opinion Down on the Upside is the greatest album of the 90’s. Superunknown a very firm 2nd. It’s a toss up after that. Vs, Vitalogy, Dirt, Tripod, Facelift, Wishpool, Above…..well, too many to name really but those are all favorites of mine.

[@Environmenthrall]

1. Badmotorfinger 2. Down On the Upside 3. Superunknown Can't argue with the rest. :P

[@joeygassmann5595]

Kim is my absolute favorite guitarist of all time. He truly is a genius wielding an axe. Listening to his work, it is so rich an complex, as a teen I tried to replicate it in any way possible via tabulature books from Soundgarden albums but it was so difficult to get it just right. Then when I watch him play live it is so effortless, like he could just be in another world and still produce such unrivaled excellence. He is lethal with a wah pedal, and his solos are mind blowing. Yet when the top guitarists of all time are named, he is rarely mentioned. How is this possible? Kim Thayil is truly a god among men, and we should feel nothing but so lucky to have existed in the same time that he has, because there will never be another.

[@Tognar]

I was at the Sound of Seattle Rock Camp. Jamming on stage with Kim was incredible! He was very gracious and unassuming. Soundgarden songs are deceptively difficult to play as a band... you have go be real tight to do it any justice.

[@danielnaberhaus5337]

Best band of all time. Kim you are one of my biggest heroes, as an Indian musician who was the son of immigrants, you were a huge example to me that Indians can be badass and make heavy music too.

[@meteor09]

I hope Kin Thayil writes and releases more music. I would loooooooove to see Thayil, Cameron, and Shepherd continue to work together! (Nudedragons?!)

[@HUMBLEPENDALUM]

3rd Secret

[@lahaza6515]

@@HUMBLEPENDALUM Their version of Drone is SO unspeakably great. You've probably seen it, but the recent video of them at the Seattle museum playing it is amazing. The room sound is incredible & everyone is at the very top of their game!

[@REXBROWNOFFICIAL]

Kim..You mad scientist of a Gtr player!! I’ve been trying to get in touch with you through Terry for years!! Love ya man…PS- This is me

[@josiefierro]

Great interview! I got to jam with Kim at Fantasy Rock camp while performing Slaves and Bulldozers, glad to hear he has fun playing that song! Now I’m going to have to learn Beyond the Wheel so that I can jam with him again at this next camp in March😆

[@superunknowntribute]

Would love to hear Kim, Ben and Matt working together again. It was encouraging to hear Kim give it some consideration.

[@mudwomanlive]

Check out 3rd Secret for Kim and Matt’s new band

[@SC-wu2dn]

The King of distortion. The legend that dismantled my head and put it back together with that sound only he is capable of. Such an important part of my youth, my life and my being. Kim The KING Thayil 👑🤴

[@rayanh2430]

ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITARISTS EVER, YOU ARE A BIG PART OF SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC EVER PRODUCED BY THE BEST BAND EVER

[@paultakable5796]

Guitar guru

[@jillhuhn1129]

I've been following Chris Cornell and Soundgarden pretty much ever since I was nine years old and I'm 38 right now I've only missed a couple albums like King animal and the like ,:)

[@notyetskeletal4809]

King Animal was one of the last C.Ds I got. Saw Soundgarden in 2012 in the same place as '97. Such a fulfilling band...ugh great album.

[@jillhuhn1129]

@@notyetskeletal4809 that's awesome I'm glad you got to see them

[@dirtycelinefrenchman]

He’s such a smart dude. I wish the interviewer asked more interesting and broader questions and included some followups to his responses.

[@blackpawsphotography5893]

Agreed…but even in a broader, more superficial sort of interview like this, he was just as engaging and thoughtful as he is when getting into deeper discussions with other musicians, etc. I always enjoy hearing from him.

[@DaniloMarrone]

Amazing interview! Thank you so much for inviting us into Kim's world.

[@AZIZAxBLUE]

Great interview! 🤘🏽💙

[@anthonymukkath4537]

Nice to see you Brother. Fan from India.

[@donofly]

I have always wanted to hear Chris Cornell play the drums.

[@wadebond7679]

Screaming life and louder than love has been getting a revisit from me lately...but as soon as I heard black rain I knew it was old vocals...minus the lines cant studder when... and cry on, black rain.heller tunes. Im game for a vocal try out

[@colico14]

What a great interview! Thank you so much! I really enjoyed this.

[@SlavomirG]

Sounds like Kim has given up on getting the unreleased Soundgarden multi-tracks from the last album they've been working on (I hope I'm wrong). Would be great if they continued AIC-style.

[@rrichards31]

Probably afraid Chris's evil wife would have him murdered like she did her husband.

[@mleightle9289]

They ought to talk to that guy Ian from Big Wreck...guy is prolific in his own right and scarily Cornell-ish sounding vocals. It doesn't have to be soundgarden anymore, hooking up with Ian could be one-time...but yea, i hope the ex-soundgarden guys do something. I heard a lot of instrumentals float around in the periphery...

[@danhope77]

I wish he was my uncle

[@bigdaddypiggy]

Him trying to remember guitar players but drawing a blank is what used to happen to me when I would go into a record store….i could never remember certain bands I wanted to check out 😡🤷🏼‍♂️but on the way home it would all come back to me 🤨

[@kevingregoire2764]

Ian Thornly of Big Wreck could sign Soundgarden songs. His solo heavy stuff reminds me of them.

[@Elizabeth-xn9rk]

❤

[@countroshculla]

Although I never really got into Soundgarden, I always checked up on what Kim does. He is an awesome musician and the only Malayalee that I know of who was in a famous rock/metal band.

[@dezionlion]

Kyuss?

[@gavinsheridan4680]

Is he wearing an APC hat ?

[@notyetskeletal4809]

I'm going to give that a 'yes'.

[@timbosboudreaus7996]

Hey Kim. I'm the 14 year old that almost got my ass beat by Chris Cornell. After Stone Gossard and PearlJam practiced in the apartment complex in the Renton Valley. Tim Parsons. I would like to hear from you.

[@notyetskeletal4809]

We wanna hear more with the other Soundguardians. Interesting ugly band. I was surprised that King Animal was so good after so long. Plenty of gas in that tank. Would be an interesting dude to jam with.

[@nylontusk1289]

If I could come up with the best super group it would be Layne Staley vocals, Kim Thayil lead guitar, Robert deLeo bass, Dave Grohl drums and on rhythm/lead/vocals and songwriter Billy Corgan!!!

[@Gabriss32]

Kim Thayil looks like an elderly Indian white-bearded Santa Claus! Ho ho ho!

[@keithharris1672]

Explore jazz man, what do you wanna say. See Vernon Reid.

[@barrycreed9886]

Dublin being the most civil place he has been? haha. Where in Dublin did you go Mr Thayil!? It's not bad, but I wouldn't say they are any more or less polite than most Americans for example.

[@brandonriddett9783]

The fact he mentioned MEATPUPPETS, makes me love Kim even more

[@michaellandrumguitar]

joyofthedizzy

[@Whiskel]

What's civil about apartheid israel?