Kim Thayil's Memoir 'A Screaming Life' Offers Intimate Look at Soundgarden and Seattle Grunge Scene

Kim Thayil, founding member and guitarist of Soundgarden, has written a memoir that provides an insider's account of the band's history and the broader Seattle grunge scene. Published June 9, 2026, "A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond" balances detailed storytelling with restraint, avoiding sensationalism while addressing difficult subjects including Soundgarden's dissolution in 1997 and Chris Cornell's death by suicide in 2017. The book follows a non-linear but forward-moving structure that guides readers through Thayil's experiences learning about the deaths of multiple Seattle musicians, including Kurt Cobain and Andrew Wood. Thayil told Salon he initially hesitated about being confessional but ultimately felt he owed it to himself and their friends to provide perspective on achievements, gains, and losses. The memoir is distinguished by its authenticity—written by someone who was present in these moments as a bandmate and friend rather than a journalist or outside observer—and conveys genuine grief and reflection, including Thayil's own regret about not recognizing signs in Cornell's mental state.