This week's track has nothing to do with patriotism. Soundgarden was one of the early 90's bands that changed how I experienced music in my teens. Their unique mix of of grunge, Sabbath heaviness, and odd and sometimes creepy arrangements struck a chord with me as soon as I heard it.
"4th Of July" is one of their heaviest and doomiest tracks and is a stand out for me. From the first chord the song is both eerie and super heavy, employing detuned guitars in a simple yet powerful riff while the bass noodles around it. When the drums kick in at the second verse they add to the grind and power of it all. Per usual Chris Cornell delivers a stellar vocal performance that is somehow both tender and powerful. In an interview from 1994 Chris Cornell shared that the lyrics were about an acid trip and have nothing to do with the holiday which makes me love it even more.
You can learn more about Soundgarden here:
About The Curator - Danny Gordon
Danny's love affair with music started around the time he could walk. He spent countless hours in front of the record player going through his parents collection and experimented with playing violin, piano, and guitar before finding his voice on the bass in his teens.
Danny began playing in local bands in Los Angeles while studying music, eventually landing at Berklee College of Music in 1998. Following his graduation in 2001 Danny returned home and continued his career as a recording and touring bassist, most notably working with former STP singer Scott Weiland.
Danny continues to stay active in the local scene and is a devoted father teaching his children about the music he loves.
