Founding SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil will release a memoir, “A Screaming Life: Into The Superunknown With Soundgarden And Beyond”, on May 19, 2026 via HarperCollins imprint William Morrow. In ho book, Kim thayil goes backstage to introduce the band that fearlessly pushed the boundaries of rock, invented a new genre, and amassed fervent fans from every corner of the world.
Thayil announced the book project on Instagram yesterday (Tuesday, October 28), commenting: “Hey, all you friends of SOUNDGARDEN! Kim Thayil here to tell you that I’ve been working on a book during the past few years! It’s called ‘A Screaming Life’, and it tells my story as an American son of immigrants growing up in Chicago. Then, along with another immigrant’s American son, Hiro Yamamoto, we travel to Seattle as idealistic youths, involve ourselves with underground and independent subcultures, and connect with Chris Cornell to form SOUNDGARDEN. It follows my experiences, journeys and growth with the band and the building of the Seattle music scene; ultimately, to partner with Matt Cameron and later Ben Shepherd as we worked and played towards our worldwide successes. I explore the heights, depths and insights gained from my experiences within the unique and special brotherhood we built.”
As previously reported, SOUNDGARDEN will join the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame class of 2025 in the Performer category so the timing is perfect.
