Brandi Carlile reunited with the surviving members of Soundgarden to perform two of the band's classics during her show last Saturday, the 14th, at The Gorge .
Along with guitarist Kim Thayil , drummer Matt Cameron , and bassist Ben Shepherd , the exuberant Brandi Carlile and her band presented, in their own way, the classics: “Black Hole Sun” and “Searching With My Good Eye Closed”.
The two songs appeared on the Record Store Day , released in 2020, and on the A Rooster Says , which also featured the trio Soundgarden. The appearance also marked the members' first performance together in their home state (Washington, USA) since Chris Cornell's death .
Brandi Carlile had previously performed "Black Hole Sun" alongside Soundgarden and other special guests at the Chris Cornell tribute concert, I Am the Highway , in Los Angeles in January 2019.
However, Saturday's show marked the first time she played the Badmotorfinger , "Searching With My Good Eye Closed," live with members of Soundgarden. The Seattle Times wrote in a report that the Badmotorfinger hit was a staple in Carlile's sets during her clubbing days in Seattle.
In 2020, Rolling Stone spoke with the surviving members of Soundgarden about their collaboration with Seattle native Carlile. The EP was recorded at the London Bridge Studio , where Soundgarden's albums Louder Than Love and Temple of the Dog were recorded in November 2019.
“We were honored that she invited us to participate in her Record Store Day project,” said Matt Cameron. “We had a lot of fun. I think most people assume that the three of us broke up after Chris passed away, but that’s not the case. It’s nice to know that people still want to hear us play together.”
Thayil added at the time: "Any opportunity to play with them all again, whether live or in the studio, I would embrace without hesitation."