To date, it remains the groups most successful album.
Prior to its release, EW writer David Browne caught up with the band in New York City.
As part of our coverage honoring Cornell,who died Wednesday at age 52, revisit that story below.
Credit: Ebet Roberts/Redferns
Kim Thayil cannot believe his ears.
Why the f did they wanna know?
Drinks and appetizers are ordered, and cigarettes are lit.
Paul Natkin/WireImage
Maybe if they complete their dozen interviews and business meetings they can attend a taping of David LettermansLate Show.
Soundgardens rise has been more gradual than Nirvanas and Pearl Jams.
They didnt pass the million mark in sales until their third album, 1991sBadmotorfinger.
In part, that slow climb is due to their music.
We dont play party music.
Maybe not but it is commercially viable.
The climate of the business has opened up for an act like Soundgarden, says Guerinot.
The stars are starting to line up behind them.
The drinks at the Indian restaurant are starting to line up too.
Before long, the rock gossip wafting around the table is as thick as the cigarette smoke.
Topics include MTVs Tabitha Soren onJeopardy!
(She was so fin dumb she got all the wrong answers!
We were just playing for a bunch of twenty-nothings wholl turn into forty-nothings, Shepherd says offhandedly.
An extra shot of something has found its way onto the table.
Should I be mixing drinks?
Cornell wonders, slouched sleepily into his chair.
Oh, what the hell, he says, taking the glass.
My liverll sort it out.
You know why I leave that on?
asks Thayil, nodding toward the flickering TV in his hotel room.
I just dont like anybody going through my stuff.
It is after 1 a.m. Cornell, Cameron, and Shepherd check into their rooms to call loved ones or to go to sleep.
We wont come to people.
Suddenly Thayils attention shifts to the big-screen TV over the bar, which is set to ESPN.
The Sonics won yes!
We know the marketplace has turned around, for better or worse, Thayil says, a little wearily.
You go through life saying, This is me, and youre not into trends or fashion.
And the next thing you know, what you do is perceived as trendy or fashionable.
Shaking his head, he takes another sip of beer as last call is announced.
