This summer (June), William Morrow is due to publish the much-anticipated memoir of Kim Thayil, lead guitarist of Soundgarden: A Screaming Life. Like many rock-loving children of the 1980s, I was a big fan of the Seattle grunge scene, and that included Soundgarden — although, it took a little longer for me to discover them, after Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains. As soon as I saw this in the publisher’s catalogue, it became a Must Read of 2026. Here’s the synopsis:
The memoir by co-founding member of Soundgarden and lead guitarist Kim Thayil about one of the 1990s’ signature rock bands
From Soundgarden’s humble beginnings manifesting grunge in Seattle’s beer-soaked punk clubs to their revered status today as rock icons, the band’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. In A Screaming Life, founding member and guitar god 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 shares the story of how he and his Soundgarden bandmates — Hiro Yamamoto, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, and Chris Cornell — faced the triumphs and challenges on the road to their historic and influential rise. His storytelling channels the essence of Soundgarden’s era-defining sound — one that’s supercharged with raw creativity and unapologetic lyrics — and explores the ways that Soundgarden was shaped by the diverse backgrounds of its creators: Thayil’s Indian heritage and founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto’s Japanese background added unique dimensions to the band’s identity, influencing not only their music but also their experiences in the industry.
For Soundgarden fans and ‘90s alternative rock enthusiasts, A Screaming Life not only gives behind-the-scenes access to one of the most revered bands, but it also demonstrates the power music and its creators have to transform culture.
Can’t wait to read this.
Kim Thayil’s A Screaming Life is due to be published by William Morrow in North America, on June 9th.
Early next year, 
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Civilian Reader 