In an unexpected twist, multi-platinum grunge legends Soundgarden hit the stage last December for a benefit show that featured Shaina Shepherd on vocals in place of the late Chris Cornell. Guns N’ Roses bassist/vocalist Duff McKagan also took a shot at fronting the band during that abbreviated one-off set.
While fan reaction to Shepherd‘s time fronting the band was mixed, Shepherd remained undaunted, at one point telling one of her critics, “I could never front Soundgarden. But I love making music with those guys. I did it for me, for them like any other music endeavor.”
A just-released EP by the name of “New Beginning” now finds her strengthening her ties to the Soundgarden camp, with Soundgarden (and Pearl Jam) drummer Matt Cameron teaming with her throughout that effort. That five-song outing saw a release on March 14th, and was co-produced by Cameron and Nathan Yaccino (Soundgarden, 3rd Secret).
Cameron isn’t the only grunge star involved though, as Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic guests on the track “Next Time“. Furthermore, Alain Johannes, known for his work in Eleven, Queens Of The Stone Age and more, also appears on the effort, making a cameo on the opening track “The Moment I Found You“.
