Kim Thayil
Latest about Kim Thayil

My favorite ever signature model just got a cool $100 off, making it a must buy for grunge fans
By Daryl Robertson published
As well as slashing the price of the Soundgarden guitarist's signature axe, you can also save big a slew of Polara models, including the highly rated Deluxe

Kim Thayil on the time Chris Cornell tuned all his guitar strings to E – and the Soundgarden song that came from it
By Janelle Borg published
Thayil and Cornell's penchant for alternate tunings is no secret, and Soundgarden’s repertoire continuously pushed the envelope of what tunings are even possible

Kim Thayil gives an update on whether unreleased band material featuring Chris Cornell will see the light of day
By Janelle Borg published
The recordings were previously the subject of a protracted legal battle between the remaining band members and Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell

Gene Simmons says Kiss was one of the first bands to take downtuning into the mainstream
By Janelle Borg published
Dropped and downtunings became a defining characteristic of many ’90s guitar bands, but Simmons explains how and why downtuning became an integral part of Kiss' live act

Soundgarden’s surviving members reunite for charity set – with the help of Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan
By Phil Weller published
Operating under the ‘Nudedragons’ name for the first time in 14 years, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd performed six songs for the 2024 SMooCH benefit concert

Melvins’ Dale Crover invents a new guitar tuning – and lands a Kim Thayil guest solo – on new single
By Janelle Borg published
Thayil has consistently expressed his admiration for the Melvins, even crediting the band for introducing drop-D tuning to hard rock

Heart's Ann Wilson on how she managed to get Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains to jam together
By Janelle Borg published
Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson recount how they were embraced by Seattle’s music community after the band experienced a dip in popularity

“Just the ticket for those aspiring to recreate the monstrous riffs from across Thayil’s remarkable discography”: Guild Polara Kim Thayil review
By Daryl Robertson published
It took three decades, but the wait is finally over, the Soundgarden icon has got his name on a Polara. Was it worth it? You bet

“I played about eight different guitar tunings – I threw the idea of patterns and scales out the window”: Kim Thayil hits back at being called a “sloppy” guitarist
By Phil Weller published
The grunge icon details how the pros and cons of alternate tunings defined Soundgarden’s career, and how his “spontaneous wildness” saw Chris Cornell reposition his amp

“I’d like to remind all the perfectionist guitar nerds to listen to Jimmy Page’s solo on In the Evening. It sounds like the guitar is falling down the stairs… It’s brilliant”: Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil dissects his “dangerous” approach to guitar playing
By Amit Sharma published
The Soundgarden guitarist looks back on his most iconic riffs and solos, as well as the gear and tunings that guided him deep into the creative superunknown
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