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GW How about [Audioslave guitarist] Tom Morello? What did you learn from him as a guitarist? Obviously, his style is miles apart from Kim’s.

CORNELL I don’t know if I learned anything. He’s a tremendous guitar player, obviously, but I think by the time I hooked up with Tom, my own style of playing was formed. Tom reminds me of a low-tech version of the Edge. From what I’ve heard, the Edge is very high-tech with his effects and his pedal boards, whereas with Tom, everything on the floor has a nine-volt battery in it.

GW So what actually happened with you and Audioslave? When I interviewed Tom several years ago, right as you were putting out Revelations, he seemed mystified as to what was happening with the band. He said he hadn’t heard from you…

CORNELL A lot of things happened there, a lot of your usual dysfunctional band things. And a lot of times, it had nothing to do with me. There were a lot of disagreements on how to run things in that band. Musically, for me, the group pretty much had run its course. I think we ended on a high note, though. Revelations is my favorite album of ours.

GW Are you on good terms with Tom?

CORNELL Sure. He’s great. I’d definitely say we’re still friends.

GW What did you think about seeing Tom on YouTube playing in Seattle with three-fourths of a reunited Soundgarden? [Tad Doyle from the band Tad sang lead vocals.]

CORNELL I thought it was terrific! It gave me a warm feeling. I wish I could have been there. I would have jumped onstage in a second.

GW There seems to be something in the air, almost as if people are starting to call out for a Soundgarden reunion.

CORNELL It could happen. I’m never going to count anything out. I’m doing things now that I never thought I would be, so I would never rule out getting back together with those guys.

GW I’m sure you don’t want to talk about your divorce…

CORNELL [laughs] No, I surely don’t.

GW But recently, you got back a bunch of your guitars—14 of them, I think—from your ex-wife. What was the story there?

CORNELL You’re just as likely to find an explanation for that as I am. Suddenly I find myself being sued for my own guitars. [laughs] I don’t know. But I finally got them back, and it was great, like being reunited with old friends.

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