Hunter Benedict Shepherd (born September 20, 1968) is an American musician, best known as the bassist of the rock band
Soundgarden
Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom are the only members to appear in every incarnation of the band), and bassist Hiro Yamamo ...
from 1990 to 2019. Shepherd has won two
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
as a member of Soundgarden.
Early life
Shepherd was born in an American military base in
Okinawa
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
. His father worked in the
Nike missile
The United States Army's Nike Ajax was the world's first operational guided surface-to-air missile (SAM), entering service in 1954. Nike Ajax was designed to attack conventional bomber aircraft flying at high subsonic speeds and altitudes above ...
program and played the guitar. His family moved to
Allen, Texas
Allen is a city in Collin County in the U.S. state of Texas, and a northern suburb of Dallas. According to the 2020 U.S. census its population was 104,627, up from 84,246 in 2010. Allen is located approximately twenty miles (32.2 km) north ...
, then settled in
Kingston, Washington
Kingston (formerly Appletree Cove) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,099 at the 2010 census. Kingston is along the shores of Appletree Cove and Puget ...
, where Shepherd grew up. Shepherd became interested in music after listening to
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
on television. When Shepherd asked his father for a guitar, his father complied only after insisting he must learn every chord in a large book with nothing but a guitar neck. Shepherd did so—with help from his cousin Ralph "Tony" McMullen—and his father bought him his first guitar.
[
Shepherd played in numerous punk-rock bands with friends as a teenager like March of Crimes, Mind Circus and 600 School, meeting future musicians such as ]Stone Gossard
Stone Carpenter Gossard (born July 20, 1966) is an American musician who serves as a guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of the band.
G ...
, Krist Novoselic
Krist Anthony Novoselic (; ; born May 16, 1965) is an American musician and activist. He was the bassist and co-founder of the rock band Nirvana.
Novoselic and Kurt Cobain formed the band Nirvana in 1987 along with drummer Aaron Burckhard, wh ...
and Matt Cameron
Matthew David Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986. He appeared on each of ...
. After graduating from high school, he worked as a carpenter and a laborer, and while playing in Tic Dolly Row with drummer friend Chad Channing
Chad Channing (born January 31, 1967) is an American musician who is best known as the drummer of the grunge band Nirvana from 1988 until 1990, during which time they recorded and released their debut album ''Bleach''; he also appears on "Polly ...
, introduced him to Novoselic, who went on to bring Channing into his band Nirvana
( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
. Shepherd would later travel with Nirvana on a tour leading up to the release of ''Nevermind
''Nevermind'' is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991, by DGC Records. It was Nirvana's first release on a major label and the first to feature drummer Dave Grohl. Produced by Butch Vig, ''Neve ...
'', being a nominal second guitarist but not playing on stage.
Musical career
Soundgarden (1990–1997)
Shepherd was a fan of Soundgarden ever since their early days as a three-piece.[ Once bassist ]Hiro Yamamoto
Hiro Yamamoto (born April 13, 1961) is an American bassist who was a founding member of grunge band Soundgarden, along with Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell in 1984. He left the band in 1989, and two years later, he started the independent rock ba ...
left in 1989, Shepherd auditioned to replace him even as his primary instrument was the guitar. The band members liked Shepherd and his attitude, but given he did not know how to play the songs, they eventually picked bassist Jason Everman
Jason Mark Everman (born October 16, 1967) is an American musician and soldier who played guitar with Nirvana and Mind Funk, and bass in Soundgarden and OLD. He later served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army as an Army Rang ...
. Following the closure of the ''Louder Than Love
''Louder Than Love'' is the second studio album and major-label debut by American rock band Soundgarden. It was released on September 5, 1989, by A&M Records. After touring in support of their debut album, ''Ultramega OK'' (1988), Soundgarden lef ...
'' tour in 1990, Everman was fired, and the band contacted Shepherd to see if he could join the band.[Neely, Kim. "Soundgarden: The Veteran Band from Seattle Proves There's Life After Nirvana". '']Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
''. July 9, 1992. His introduction was deemed by Soundgarden as helpful towards their musical evolution, bringing his own compositions that showed a new style, and guitarist Kim Thayil
Kim Anand Thayil (born September 4, 1960) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he co-founded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984. Cornell and Thayil rem ...
adding that Shepherd gave "a creative and emotional punch". In addition to his role as bass player, Shepherd's role as a singer and songwriter increased during his tenure with Soundgarden. On his first recording with the band, the studio album ''Badmotorfinger
''Badmotorfinger'' is the third studio album by American rock band Soundgarden, released on October 8, 1991, through A&M Records. Soundgarden began the recording sessions for the album with new bassist Ben Shepherd in the spring of 1991. The al ...
'', Shepherd took part in writing the following songs: "Slaves & Bulldozers
"Slaves & Bulldozers" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. It is the third track on the band's 1991 album ''Badmotorfinger''.
Origin and recording
The song features lyrics written by Chris Cornell and music co-written by Cornell and ...
" (music, co-written), "Jesus Christ Pose
"Jesus Christ Pose" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, released in 1991 as the first single from the band's third studio album, ''Badmotorfinger'' (1991). The song was included on Soundgarden's 1997 greatest hits album, '' A-Sides' ...
" (music, co-written), "Face Pollution" (music), and "Somewhere" (music and lyrics). Shepherd also introduced some of the now signature alternate tunings
Guitar tunings are the assignment of pitch (music), pitches to the open string (music), open strings of guitars, including acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and classical guitars. Musical tuning, Tunings are described by the particular pitc ...
to the band, such as in the singles " The Day I Tried To Live", "My Wave
"My Wave" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Featuring lyrics written by frontman Chris Cornell and music co-written by Cornell and guitarist Kim Thayil, "My Wave" was released in 1994 as the fourth single from the band's fourth stud ...
", "Pretty Noose
"Pretty Noose" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by the band's frontman, Chris Cornell, "Pretty Noose" was released in March 1996 as the first single from the band's fifth studio album, ''Down on the Upside'' (1996). The son ...
", and " Burden in My Hand".
In 1993, Shepherd and Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron
Matthew David Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986. He appeared on each of ...
formed a side-project band called Hater
Hater or Haters may refer to:
Books
* ''Hater'', 2006 novel by David Moody
* ''Haters'' (novel), a 2006 novel by author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Film and TV
* '' H8R'', a 2011 American reality television show on the CW
* ''The Haters'' (2015 fi ...
with John McBain of Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded in 1989 by Dave Wyndorf (vocals and guitar), John McBain (guitar) and Tim Cronin (vocals and drums); they have since gone through several lineup c ...
. Shepherd sang vocals and played guitar in Hater, in addition to writing several songs on the band's first release, a self-titled album. A second album called '' The 2nd'' was recorded in 1995 after Superunknown tour's end, but was not released until 2005, ten years later.
In 1994, Soundgarden released '' Superunknown'', which featured Shepherd's compositions "Half" and "Head Down". The latter of which was heavily influenced by The Beatles
The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
and was written after experimenting with mic placement on his Gibson L-50, picking up the guitar and strumming it to find he liked the wildly out of tune sound, making up the song's composition on the spot. "Half" was marked by an Indian flavor and was the first song on a Soundgarden album for which Shepherd sang lead vocals. Shepherd has said that "Half" was a song he wrote in case his daughter ever wanted to learn guitar.
In 1996, Soundgarden released ''Down on the Upside
''Down on the Upside'' is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Soundgarden, released on May 21, 1996, through A&M Records. Following a worldwide tour in support of its previous album, '' Superunknown'' (1994), Soundgarden commenced wo ...
'', in which six of the sixteen album tracks were lyrically and/or musically composed by Shepherd. The tracks were: "Zero Chance" (music), "Dusty" (music), "Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed "the Georgia Peach", was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder. He was born in rural Narrows, Georgia. Cobb spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the las ...
" (music), "Never Named" (music) "Switch Opens" (music) and "An Unkind" (music and lyrics). Shepherd once said he penned the music for "Never Named" at the age of sixteen. "Ty Cobb" was the first song Shepherd wrote that was made a single.
The ''Down on the Upside'' tour ended on February 9, 1997, in Honolulu
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...
, with an acrimonious meltdown started by Shepherd. With the band in a bad mood and facing technical problems in their performance, Shepherd eventually got so frustrated he smashed his bass during " Blow Up the Outside World", gave the audience the finger
In Western culture, "the finger", or the middle finger (as in giving someone the (middle) finger, the bird or flipping someone off) is an obscene hand gesture. The gesture communicates moderate to extreme contempt, and is roughly equivalent i ...
and left the stage. He later said, "I'd had it up to here with my equipment dying. So I wasn't going to stand onstage and fake what I was playing." He then started a heated argument with Thayil backstage that nearly escalated into a fistfight, leading to only Cornell and Cameron returning for the encore. Two months later, Soundgarden announced it was breaking up, citing dissatisfaction and artistic differences.
Post-Soundgarden (1997–2010)
Shepherd said that he was the one most affected by Soundgarden's breakup: "my fianceé broke up with me; and then I broke three ribs. I got addicted to pain pills, drank a ton, and wound up OD'ing on morphine
Morphine is a strong opiate that is found naturally in opium, a dark brown resin in poppies (''Papaver somniferum''). It is mainly used as a analgesic, pain medication, and is also commonly used recreational drug, recreationally, or to make ...
. I was laid out in my house for five days, and no one knew it. It was a fucking horrible time — this total rock'n'roll cliché."[
Hater also disbanded, but he, Cameron, and McBain would go on to form ]Wellwater Conspiracy
Wellwater Conspiracy was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1993. The band was created by members of the grunge-era side project Hater. Wellwater Conspiracy featured Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and ex- Monster Mag ...
with several other artists. Shepherd was the lead vocalist on the first Wellwater Conspiracy album, ''Declaration of Conformity
''Declaration of Conformity'' is the first studio album by the American Rock music, rock band Wellwater Conspiracy. It was released on June 17, 1997, through Third Gear Records.
Overview
The album was recorded in 1996 and 1997. This is the only ...
''. In 1998, he quit Wellwater Conspiracy for unknown reasons. Matt Cameron took over lead vocals.
In the years after the split, Shepherd participated in some of Josh Homme
Joshua Michael Homme ( ; born May 17, 1973) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the founder, primary songwriter, and only continuous member of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age, which he form ...
's Desert Sessions
The Desert Sessions are a musical collective series, founded by Josh Homme in 1997. Artists such as Brant Bjork, PJ Harvey, Twiggy Ramirez, Dave Catching, Nick Oliveri, Mark Lanegan, John McBain, Ben Shepherd, Josh Freese, Chris Goss, Alain Jo ...
collaboration ('' Volumes 1 & 2)'', on which he played bass and guitar, and played bass with Mark Lanegan
Mark William Lanegan (November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet. First becoming prominent as the lead singer for the early grunge band Screaming Trees, he was also known as a member of Queens of the St ...
(in the 1999 album '' I'll Take Care of You'' and 2002's '' Field Songs'', where he even wrote co-wrote the song "Blues For D"), and Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank Iommi () (born 19 February 1948) is a British musician. He co-founded the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and was the band's guitarist, leader and primary composer and sole continuous member for nearly five decades. I ...
(2000's '' Iommi'').[ In 2005, Shepherd formed the shortly lived band Unkmongoni and released the second Hater album, '' The 2nd''.][Prince, David]
"Soundgarden Reunion Planned for 2010"
billboard.com
''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the music ...
. January 1, 2010.
In 2008, following the sale of the warehouse Soundgarden's equipment was being stored in, Shepherd was robbed of all his equipment including guitars, basses, and amplifiers collected and used through Soundgarden's career, and two records he had completed. Following the incident, a downtrodden Shepherd decided to quit music altogether and became a carpenter's assistant until he was eventually coerced into making his solo record ''In Deep Owl'' and reuniting with Soundgarden shortly thereafter.
In an August 2010 feature about the Soundgarden reunion with ''Spin'', Shepherd stated that before reuniting he was "totally broke" and was sleeping on friends' couches. Shepherd has since downplayed the statement, stating that he was only "sleeping on couches in studios when I was recording my solo album", preferring to stay in Seattle rather than go back home to Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island is a city and island in Kitsap County, Washington. It is located in Puget Sound. The population was 23,025 at the 2010 census and an estimated 25,298 in 2019, making Bainbridge Island the second largest city in Kitsap County.
...
.[
]
Soundgarden reunion (2010–2017, 2020-present)
On January 1, 2010, Chris Cornell confirmed that Soundgarden would reunite, with Shepherd playing as their bassist again. The band played its first show in 13 years on April 16, 2010, at Seattle's Showbox theater under the anagram ''Nudedragons.''
The group released the compilation album ''Telephantasm
''Telephantasm'' is a compilation album by the American rock band Soundgarden. Featuring songs that span 23 years of the band's career, it was released on September 28, 2010, through A&M Records. The album was certified platinum by RIAA after its ...
'' in September 2010, followed by ''King Animal
''King Animal'' is the sixth and final studio album by American rock band Soundgarden—their first in sixteen years. Produced by both the band and Adam Kasper, it was released on November 13, 2012, by Seven Four Entertainment and Republic Rec ...
'' in November 2012, their first studio album since 1996. Shepherd's contributions included two songs which he had written years before and recorded in the eventually stolen demos, "Taree
Taree is a town on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Taree and nearby Cundletown were settled in 1831 by William Wynter. Since then Taree has grown to a population of 26,381, and is the centre of a significant agricultural distri ...
" and "Attrition",[ and two collaborations with Cornell, "]Been Away Too Long
"Been Away Too Long" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, which is featured on their sixth studio album '' King Animal'' (2012) as its opening track. It was released as the album's first single. The song is featured in ''Sons of An ...
" and "Rowing".
The band continued to tour frequently, arranging time around Matt Cameron's schedule in Pearl Jam, and Chris Cornell's acoustic tours. In 2014 the band released a reissue of their 1994 album ''Superunknown'' as part of its twentieth anniversary and has toured with drummer Matt Chamberlain
Matthew Chamberlain (born April 17, 1967) is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter.
Biography
Life and career
Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California on April 17, 1967. He began learning how to play the drums ...
filling in for Cameron. On May 17, 2017, Chris Cornell was found dead in his hotel room, cancelling the rest of their tour.
Solo project
In the summer of 2010, Shepherd finished recording his latest solo project. He began writing the record in 2009. It started out as an acoustic project, before morphing into a very electrified concept album in the end. Shepherd originally intended for the songs to be just voice and acoustic guitar, but soon Matt Cameron
Matthew David Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986. He appeared on each of ...
and Matt Chamberlain
Matthew Chamberlain (born April 17, 1967) is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter.
Biography
Life and career
Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California on April 17, 1967. He began learning how to play the drums ...
offered up their services on drums. The album was recorded by Dave French, at a few different studios including KAOS in Georgetown, and The Studio With No Name in Interbay. The album was finished, mixed/mastered at Robert Lang Studios by Adam Kasper
Adam Kasper is an American, Seattle area record producer and engineer, with platinum and gold awards, working with such bands as Aerosmith, Mudhoney, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, The Tragically Hip, R.E.M., Soundgarden and ...
and contains a recording of frog ribbits.[
On June 25, 2013, Shepherd announced he would be releasing the solo album entitled ''In Deep Owl'' on August 27, 2013, under the name HBS. Shepherd premiered the first single "Baron Robber" on '']Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
''.
Featured musicians include:
* Ben Shepherd – Guitar, Bass guitar, Vocals, Mandolin
A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...
, Drums
* Matt Cameron
Matthew David Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986. He appeared on each of ...
– Drums, percussion
* Matt Chamberlain
Matthew Chamberlain (born April 17, 1967) is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter.
Biography
Life and career
Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California on April 17, 1967. He began learning how to play the drums ...
– Drums, percussion
* Joseph Braley – Drums, percussion
* Greg Gilmore
Greg Gilmore (born January 3, 1962) is a French born-American musician in Seattle, Washington, and co-founder of the recording label First World Music.
Biography
Although born in France, Gilmore grew up in the Seattle area. After playing in 10 ...
– Drums, percussion
* Klaus – Winds (Sax)
Personal life
Shepherd has two children. He currently resides on Bainbridge Island, Washington
Bainbridge Island is a city and island in Kitsap County, Washington. It is located in Puget Sound. The population was 23,025 at the 2010 census and an estimated 25,298 in 2019, making Bainbridge Island the second largest city in Kitsap County.
...
. Shepherd is also the partial owner of an upscale Seattle bar called ''Hazlewood''.
Musical style
Shepherd started playing bass trying to replace former Soundgarden bassist Hiro Yamamoto
Hiro Yamamoto (born April 13, 1961) is an American bassist who was a founding member of grunge band Soundgarden, along with Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell in 1984. He left the band in 1989, and two years later, he started the independent rock ba ...
. He considers his predecessor a major influence, particularly as Yamamoto differed from bassists "relegated to a role of following along", even if his bass "was mixed so damn quietly on the recordings that I could never hear him well enough to develop a deep understanding of his fluidity or his textures." Shepherd followed a fingerstyle
Fingerstyle guitar is the technique of guitar picking, playing the guitar or bass guitar by plucking the strings directly with the fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached to fingers, as opposed to flatpicking (plucking individual notes with ...
playing based on Yamamoto, punk rock musicians Chuck Dukowski
Gary Arthur McDaniel (born February 1, 1954 ), better known by his stage name Chuck Dukowski, is an American punk rock musician most well known for being the bass player, and occasional songwriter for Black Flag.
Career
Early years
Dukowski ...
from Black Flag, and Mike Watt
Michael David Watt (born December 20, 1957) is an American bassist, vocalist and songwriter.
Watt co-founded and played bass guitar for the rock bands Minutemen (1980–1985), Dos (1985–present), and Firehose (1986–1994). He began a solo ...
. He also listened to jazz bassist Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and ...
"because I wanted to learn how to play some dirty, weird shit." Certain songs have Shepherd using a pick to provide "different textures". Shepherd considers that he approaches guitars "like a horn section
A horn section is a group of musicians playing horns. In an orchestra or concert band, it refers to the musicians who play the "French" horn, and in a British-style brass band it is the tenor horn players. In many popular music genres, the te ...
", split between rhythm
Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular recu ...
and lead
Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb (from the Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Lead is soft and malleable, and also has a relatively low melting point. When freshly cu ...
, while "Bass is more fluid; you're a lot more free to do stuff because it's a song within a song". Rather than the more common practice of synchronizing with the drummer, Shepherd's preference is to play the bass along to the vocals, as "it helps to harmonize".[
As a singer, Shepherd described himself as "trying to find out who I sound like, not like someone else."] Composing is usually done by Shepherd on the guitar, given all other Soundgarden members play that instrument. Bass-minded tracks such as "Switch Opens" are rare because, as he explained "you don't want to write a whole wandering bass line wondering what the drum beat and the guitar chords are going to be."
Musical equipment
In 2008, Shepherd had all of his equipment stolen from Soundgarden's storage warehouse, forcing him to buy new instruments and amplifiers.[
]
Pre theft gear
;Guitars:
* 1976–1979 Fender Jazz Bass
The Fender Jazz Bass (often shortened to ''J-Bass'') is the second model of Bass guitar, electric bass created by Leo Fender. It is distinct from the Fender Precision Bass, Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange a ...
- Originally owned by the Wood brothers and used by Andy
Andy may refer to:
People
* Andy (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Horace Andy (born 1951), Jamaican roots reggae songwriter and singer born Horace Hinds
* Katja Andy (1907–2013), German-American pianist and pi ...
while in Malfunkshun
Malfunkshun is an alternative rock band formed in 1980 by Andrew Wood and his brother Kevin Wood. The band formed around the same time as other Washington state bands such as The U-Men (1980), Melvins (1983), Green River (1984), Soundgarden (1 ...
, Shepherd purchased this black Jazz Bass for the Soundgarden auditions, and nicknamed it "Tree" because of its heavy weight. It was his go-to instrument for his entire stint in Soundgarden from his initial tryout in 1989 to the band's break up in 1997. In addition to actually learning on the bass, it was used on the bulk of recording ''Badmotorfinger'', ''Superunknown'', and ''Down on the Upside'', and saw heavy touring during the ''Badmotorfinger'' era as his main bass and later tours for alternate tunings.
* 1967–1970 Fender Jazz Bass
The Fender Jazz Bass (often shortened to ''J-Bass'') is the second model of Bass guitar, electric bass created by Leo Fender. It is distinct from the Fender Precision Bass, Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange a ...
- Black with a matching headstock and a "block & bound" rosewood fretboard, used as Ben's main bass during the ''Superunknown'' European tour. It was also featured prominently in the "Fell On Black Days
"Fell on Black Days" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, "Fell on Black Days" was released as the fifth single from the band's fourth studio album, '' Superunknown'' (1994). The song peaked at numbe ...
" and "My Wave
"My Wave" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Featuring lyrics written by frontman Chris Cornell and music co-written by Cornell and guitarist Kim Thayil, "My Wave" was released in 1994 as the fourth single from the band's fourth stud ...
" videos.
* 1967-–1974 Fender Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass (often shortened to "P-Bass") is a model of electric bass guitar manufactured by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. In its standard, post-1957 configuration, the Precision Bass is a solid body, four-stringed instrum ...
- Olympic White finish, tortoise pickguard, rosewood fretboard and equipped with EMG PJ pickups, featured in the "Rusty Cage
"Rusty Cage" is a song by the American rock music, rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, "Rusty Cage" was released in 1992 as the third single from the band's third studio album, ''Badmotorfinger'' (1991). The song became an i ...
" video, used briefly as Ben's main before being adapted as the bass tuned to EEBB for "Somewhere", which it remained through the ''Badmotorfinger'' and ''Superunknown'' tours.
* 1981 Fender Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass (often shortened to "P-Bass") is a model of electric bass guitar manufactured by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. In its standard, post-1957 configuration, the Precision Bass is a solid body, four-stringed instrum ...
- Finished in "Capri Orange", part of a limited edition of colors Fender only did in 1981 known as the "International Colors". It had a maple fretboard and kept its bridge and pickup covers. Used during most of the ''Superunknown'' American tour and seen in the "Black Hole Sun
"Black Hole Sun" is a song by American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song was released in 1994 as the third single from the band's fourth studio album, '' Superunknown'' (1994). Considered to be the band's signatu ...
" video.
* 1963-–1965 Fender Jazz Bass
The Fender Jazz Bass (often shortened to ''J-Bass'') is the second model of Bass guitar, electric bass created by Leo Fender. It is distinct from the Fender Precision Bass, Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange a ...
- Finished in extremely rare custom color "Sherwood Green" with a matching headstock, used on MTV Live and Loud and UK tour in 1996.
* 1995 Fender 51 Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass (often shortened to "P-Bass") is a model of electric bass guitar manufactured by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. In its standard, post-1957 configuration, the Precision Bass is a solid body, four-stringed instr ...
Custom - Limited production run Custom Shop bass in 2 tone sunburst over an Ash body with a 60s style "PJ" pickup arrangement and "stack knob" concentric early Jazz Bass controls. Used on Lollapalloza
Lollapalooza (Lolla) is an annual American four-day music festival held in Grant Park in Chicago. It originally started as a touring event in 1991 but several years later made Chicago the permanent location for the annual music festival. Musi ...
1996 and the ''Down on the Upside'' tour as the main bass.
* Music Man StingRay
Music Man StingRay is an electric bass by Music Man, introduced in 1976.
History
In 1971, Fender employees Forrest White and Tom Walker, unhappy with the way CBS was managing the company, left their positions with Fender to start their own ven ...
- Black model with maple fretboard and a sunburst model with a rosewood fretboard used for alternate tunings in 1996.
* 1967–1970 Mosrite
Mosrite is an American guitar manufacturing company, based in Bakersfield, California, from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Founded by Semie Moseley, Mosrite guitars were played by many rock and roll and country artists.
Mosrite guitars were ...
Mark X - Post Ventures 2 pickup model bass, 1 of 3 finished in a factory silver color. Used on Soundgarden's performance on Saturday Night Live
''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. Michaels currently serves a ...
, and Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza (Lolla) is an annual American four-day music festival held in Grant Park in Chicago. It originally started as a touring event in 1991 but several years later made Chicago the permanent location for the annual music festival. Musi ...
'96.
* 1974–1979 Fender Jazz Bass
The Fender Jazz Bass (often shortened to ''J-Bass'') is the second model of Bass guitar, electric bass created by Leo Fender. It is distinct from the Fender Precision Bass, Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange a ...
- Ben had two identical basses to "Tree" used live in 1995 and an Olympic White model for alternate tunings on the ''Superunknown'' tour.
* Rickenbacker 4001
The Rickenbacker 4001 is an electric bass that was manufactured by Rickenbacker as a two- pickup "deluxe" version of their first production bass, the single-pickup model 4000. This design, created by Roger Rossmeisl, was manufactured between 1 ...
- Black model used toward the end of Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza (Lolla) is an annual American four-day music festival held in Grant Park in Chicago. It originally started as a touring event in 1991 but several years later made Chicago the permanent location for the annual music festival. Musi ...
'92.
* Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation is a string instrument manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California. The company is credited as the first known maker of electric guitars – a steel guitar in 1932 – and today produces a range ...
3001 - Sunburst model used on the live dates in 1993.
* Fender American Standard Jazz Bass - Ben used a couple of these from '94 to '97, including Black and Olympic White models with rosewood or maple fretboards.
* Fender Mexican Standard Jazz Bass - Red model used on the Big Day Out '94 and a white model used from late '96 to Soundgarden's final show ending in its destruction.
* 1965-1969 Gibson Thunderbird
The Gibson Thunderbird is an electric bass guitar made by Gibson and Epiphone.
Background and introduction
The Gibson Thunderbird was introduced in 1963. At the time, Fender had been the leader in the electric bass market since their introduct ...
IV - "Non-Reverse" two pickup model in custom color Cardinal Red. Seen briefly in the Hater video "Who Do I Kill?"
* Gibson EB-2
The Gibson EB-2 is an electric bass guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation from 1958 to 1972, with a hiatus from 1962 to 1963. When production ceased in 1972, a total of 8017 instruments had been built, with 2102 of them being EB-2 ...
- Seen used late in the ''Down On The Upside'' tour, circa December 1996.
* Mosrite
Mosrite is an American guitar manufacturing company, based in Bakersfield, California, from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Founded by Semie Moseley, Mosrite guitars were played by many rock and roll and country artists.
Mosrite guitars were ...
Combo Bass - Sunburst model used with Mark Lanegan
Mark William Lanegan (November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet. First becoming prominent as the lead singer for the early grunge band Screaming Trees, he was also known as a member of Queens of the St ...
.
* Hofner 500/1 - Vintage model used in the second version of the "Pretty Noose
"Pretty Noose" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by the band's frontman, Chris Cornell, "Pretty Noose" was released in March 1996 as the first single from the band's fifth studio album, ''Down on the Upside'' (1996). The son ...
" video and in the studio during the ''Down On The Upside'' sessions.
* Harmony
In music, harmony is the process by which individual sounds are joined together or composed into whole units or compositions. Often, the term harmony refers to simultaneously occurring frequencies, pitches ( tones, notes), or chords. However ...
H22/1 - Used in the " Blow Up the Outside World" video.
* Vox Cougar Bass
* Micro Frets Stage II Bass
* Gretsch
Gretsch is an American company that manufactures musical instruments. The company was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States. Friedrich Gretsc ...
Country Gentleman - Late 70's model, with Hi Lo 'Tron pickups and Bigsby B12 vibrato.
* Gibson
Gibson may refer to:
People
* Gibson (surname)
Businesses
* Gibson Brands, Inc., an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and audio equipment
* Gibson Technology, and English automotive and motorsport company based
* Gi ...
L-50 - Used to write and record "Head Down" among other things.
* 1964 Fender Jaguar
The Fender Jaguar is an electric guitar by Fender Musical Instruments characterized by an offset-waist body, a relatively unusual switching system with two separate circuits for lead and rhythm, and a short-scale 24" neck. Owing some roots to t ...
- Candy Apple Red, matching headstock, tort pickguard. Used in Hater.
* 1961 Gretsch
Gretsch is an American company that manufactures musical instruments. The company was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States. Friedrich Gretsc ...
Corvette 6132 - Used in Hater.
* Gibson Les Paul Custom
The Gibson Les Paul Custom is a higher-end variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was developed in 1953 after Gibson had introduced the Les Paul model in 1952.
History
The 1952 Gibson Les Paul was originally made with a mahogany body with a ...
- 3 pickup Bigsby model re-issue used in Hater.
;Amplifiers:
* Ampeg SVT
The Ampeg SVT is a bass guitar amplifier designed by Bill Hughes and Roger Cox for Ampeg and introduced in 1969. The SVT is a stand-alone amplifier or "head" as opposed to a "combo" unit comprising amp and speaker(s) in one cabinet, and was capab ...
* Ampeg
Ampeg is a manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers. Originally established in 1946 in Linden, New Jersey by Everett Hull and Stanley Michaels as "Michael-Hull Electronic Labs," today Ampeg is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group. Although ...
810 Cabinet
* Mesa Boogie
Mesa/Boogie (also known as Mesa Engineering) is an American company in Petaluma, California, that manufactures amplifiers and other accessories for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969.
Mesa was started by Randall Smith as a s ...
400+
* Mesa Boogie Big Block 750
* Mesa Boogie Diesel/Road Ready Cabs (2x15's, 4x10's, or 8x10's, often mixed)
Ben used a mixture of Ampeg and Mesa for recording, but led more to the Mesa's live in Soundgarden.
Post theft gear
;Guitars:
* Fender Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass (often shortened to "P-Bass") is a model of electric bass guitar manufactured by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. In its standard, post-1957 configuration, the Precision Bass is a solid body, four-stringed instrum ...
- Once Shepherd was invited for the Soundgarden reunion in 2010, he purchased a P-Bass, and this model has become his standard instrument ever since. The Precision was praised by Shepherd for "immediate response and heaviness", compared to the less resonating sound of the Jazz.
** Fender 50s Precision Bass - Mexican reissue in Black. Ben owns two of these and also owns and uses a "Road Worn" version in Sunburst. His main Black P is called "Baron" and its twin backup is named "Mulo". The Sunburst is named "Wolfgang".[
** Fender American Vintage 62 Precision Bass - "Lena" Olympic White, tort guard.][
** Fender American Vintage 63 Precision Bass - Olympic White, mint guard.
** Fender Japan 51 Precision Bass - Blonde finish, named "Blood". Has a Jazz Bass pickup in place of the regular 51 style single coil.
** Fender Cabronita Precision Bass - Black 51 style P Bass with Gretsch-style Fedeli'tron humbucker pickup.
** Fender Factory Special Run Precision Basses - Owns a Deluxe PJ in Seafoam Pearl and an American Special in Honey Burst.
* Fender American Standard Jazz Bass - Ben owns two of these, both in Charcoal Frost Metallic, mostly used during performances with Chris Cornell on Acoustic. His favored is named "Echo", with his #2 named "Ivan".
* ]Rickenbacker 4001
The Rickenbacker 4001 is an electric bass that was manufactured by Rickenbacker as a two- pickup "deluxe" version of their first production bass, the single-pickup model 4000. This design, created by Roger Rossmeisl, was manufactured between 1 ...
- Black model named "Balderdash".[
* ]Fender Telecaster Bass
The Fender Telecaster Bass (also referred as the Tele Bass) is an electric bass introduced in 1968 by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. With few physical changes through the 1970s, it was discontinued in 1979 and reissued in 2007 by Fender ...
- Black late 70s model, featuring Fender's Wide Range "Mudbucker" in the neck.
* Gibson RD
The Gibson RD series solid body electric guitars were launched in 1977. Distinguished by its active electronics (RD is the abbreviation for "research and development"), they were designed to appeal to those interested in synthesizers as well as gu ...
Artist Bass - Used in CFCG for "4th of July".
* Gibson Ripper - Seen used in studio work.
* Gibson EB Bass - Not like the SG styled EB-0 or EB-3, more like an upside-down Mosrite with two humbuckers, a 2014 model in Bullion Gold vintage gloss.
* Music Man StingRay
Music Man StingRay is an electric bass by Music Man, introduced in 1976.
History
In 1971, Fender employees Forrest White and Tom Walker, unhappy with the way CBS was managing the company, left their positions with Fender to start their own ven ...
- Black model with a maple fretboard, as well as an El Dorado Gold model with a rosewood fretboard.
* Trussart Steelcaster Bass - An all-metal bass. Built by James Trussart in France in a 51 P Bass style with Jazz Bass pickups.
* Airline
An airline is a company that provides civil aviation, air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines use aircraft to supply these services and may form partnerships or Airline alliance, alliances with other airlines for ...
Map Bass - Wooden re-issue of the fiberglass guitars of the '60s.
* Fender Geddy Lee
Geddy Lee (born Gary Lee Weinrib; July 29, 1953) is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. Lee joined the band in September 1968, at the re ...
Jazz Bass - Used at the "Tadgarden" show.
* Hofner 500/1 - Goldtop Icon B-Bass reissue model. 1 of 150.
* Harmony
In music, harmony is the process by which individual sounds are joined together or composed into whole units or compositions. Often, the term harmony refers to simultaneously occurring frequencies, pitches ( tones, notes), or chords. However ...
Sovereign - Acoustic given to Ben by the owners of the OK Hotel in Seattle after their live music venue was destroyed following an earthquake.
* Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is an electric guitar produced by Fender. Together with its sister model the Esquire, it is the world's first mass-produced, commercially successful Les Paul had built a prototype solid bo ...
Designer Series
* Gibson ES-140
The Gibson ES-140 is an electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation from 1950 to 1968. The ES-140 was designed to be a student model guitar targeted towards younger players and players with smaller hands. It is 3/4 scale hollow-b ...
* Gibson SG GT
;Amplifiers:
* Ampeg SVT
The Ampeg SVT is a bass guitar amplifier designed by Bill Hughes and Roger Cox for Ampeg and introduced in 1969. The SVT is a stand-alone amplifier or "head" as opposed to a "combo" unit comprising amp and speaker(s) in one cabinet, and was capab ...
VR
* Ampeg
Ampeg is a manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers. Originally established in 1946 in Linden, New Jersey by Everett Hull and Stanley Michaels as "Michael-Hull Electronic Labs," today Ampeg is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group. Although ...
SVT 810AV and 610AV Cabs
* Mesa Boogie
Mesa/Boogie (also known as Mesa Engineering) is an American company in Petaluma, California, that manufactures amplifiers and other accessories for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969.
Mesa was started by Randall Smith as a s ...
M6 Carbine
* Mesa Boogie PH 1000 Cab (sometimes used)
;Pedals:[
* Mesa Boogie V-Twin Pre-amp (x2)
* ]Dunlop Cry Baby
The Dunlop Cry Baby is a popular wah-wah pedal, manufactured by Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. The name Cry Baby was from the original pedal from which it was copied, the Thomas Organ/ Vox Cry Baby wah-wah, first manufactured in 1966. Thomas Organ/ ...
Bass Wah
* BOSS
Boss may refer to:
Occupations
* Supervisor, often referred to as boss
* Air boss, more formally, air officer, the person in charge of aircraft operations on an aircraft carrier
* Crime boss, the head of a criminal organization
* Fire boss, a ...
RC-3 Loop Station
Strings and modifications
Shepherd uses GHS Bass Boomers Heavy gauge (50-115), and likes them to be as worn as possible, oftentimes leaving them on for years until they eventually break. Shepherd has used the Leo Quan Badass Bass II bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...
and continues to use them on almost all his Fenders. He as of late has also equipped his basses with stereo output jacks for durability.[
]
Discography
HBS
* ''In Deep Owl'' (2013)
600 School
* Live recording (circa 1982)
March of Crimes
* ''Fairweather Friend'' demo (recorded circa 1984)
Tic Dolly Row
* Live recording (1987)
Soundgarden
* ''Badmotorfinger
''Badmotorfinger'' is the third studio album by American rock band Soundgarden, released on October 8, 1991, through A&M Records. Soundgarden began the recording sessions for the album with new bassist Ben Shepherd in the spring of 1991. The al ...
'' (1991)
* '' Superunknown'' (1994)
* '' Songs from the Superunknown'' (1995)
* ''Down on the Upside
''Down on the Upside'' is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Soundgarden, released on May 21, 1996, through A&M Records. Following a worldwide tour in support of its previous album, '' Superunknown'' (1994), Soundgarden commenced wo ...
'' (1996)
* '' A-Sides'' (1997)
* ''Telephantasm
''Telephantasm'' is a compilation album by the American rock band Soundgarden. Featuring songs that span 23 years of the band's career, it was released on September 28, 2010, through A&M Records. The album was certified platinum by RIAA after its ...
'' (2010)
* '' Live on I-5'' (2011)
* ''King Animal
''King Animal'' is the sixth and final studio album by American rock band Soundgarden—their first in sixteen years. Produced by both the band and Adam Kasper, it was released on November 13, 2012, by Seven Four Entertainment and Republic Rec ...
'' (2012)
Hater
* ''Hater
Hater or Haters may refer to:
Books
* ''Hater'', 2006 novel by David Moody
* ''Haters'' (novel), a 2006 novel by author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Film and TV
* '' H8R'', a 2011 American reality television show on the CW
* ''The Haters'' (2015 fi ...
'' (1993) - vocals, guitar
* "Convicted", a song recorded for '' Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML'' (1995) - vocals, guitar
* '' The 2nd'' (2005) - lead vocals, guitar, piano
Wellwater Conspiracy
* ''Declaration of Conformity
''Declaration of Conformity'' is the first studio album by the American Rock music, rock band Wellwater Conspiracy. It was released on June 17, 1997, through Third Gear Records.
Overview
The album was recorded in 1996 and 1997. This is the only ...
'' (1997) - vocals
With Mark Lanegan
* '' I'll Take Care of You'' (1999) - bass
* '' Field Songs'' (2001) - acoustic & electric guitar, bass, piano, vocals, lap steel guitar; wrote track 10, "Blues for D"
Ten Commandos
* ''Ten Commandos'' (2015)
References
Bibliography
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shepherd, Ben
1968 births
Living people
American rock bass guitarists
American male bass guitarists
Grunge musicians
Soundgarden members
People from Okinawa Island
Musicians from Seattle
Musicians from Bainbridge Island, Washington
Alternative metal bass guitarists
Guitarists from Washington (state)
American male guitarists
20th-century American guitarists
Sub Pop artists
A&M Records artists
Dine Alone Records artists
Wellwater Conspiracy members
People from Allen, Texas
Hater (band) members