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H.B.S.
Ben Shepherd is a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist whose arrival in 1990 fundamentally altered the sonic trajectory of Soundgarden. Known for his low-slung bass, punk-rock ethos, and unconventional tunings, Shepherd brought an angular, psychedelic complexity to the Seattle grunge giants that helped separate them from their contemporaries.
EARLY LIFE AND THE SEATTLE SCENE
Born in Okinawa, Japan, to a military family, Shepherd eventually settled in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Before joining Soundgarden, he was already a fixture in the burgeoning Pacific Northwest music scene. He played in several punk and garage bands, including 600 School, March of Crimes, and Tic Doyle. Shepherd had close calls with stardom prior to his big break; he auditioned for the guitarist role in Nirvana and had previously auditioned for Soundgarden's bassist role after Hiro Yamamoto departed, though he was initially considered too young.
THE SOUNDGARDEN ERA (1990–1997)
Shepherd officially joined Soundgarden in 1990, immediately following the Louder Than Love tour. His influence was immediate. On 1991's Badmotorfinger, Shepherd co-wrote the chaotic, lightning-fast classic "Jesus Christ Pose" and the sludge-heavy "Slaves & Bulldozers."
It was on 1994's Superunknown where Shepherd's voice as a songwriter truly emerged. He contributed the Beatles-esque, psychedelic "Head Down" and the eastern-influenced "Half," proving the band was moving far beyond their metal roots. By 1996's Down on the Upside, Shepherd was a dominant creative force. He penned the music for the mandolin-driven "Ty Cobb," the melancholic "Zero Chance," and the grooving "Dusty," while also contributing the track "An Unkind." His playing style—often described as "loose" and "aggressive"—became as signature to the band's sound as Chris Cornell's wail or Kim Thayil's heavy riffs
SIDE PROJECTS
It was also during this intense period of commercial success that Shepherd formed Hater, a garage-rock side project featuring Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. Serving as the group's frontman and guitarist, Shepherd released their self-titled debut in 1993, showcasing a raw, stooges-esque sound that contrasted with Soundgarden's polished heaviness.
The Reunion and Beyond (2010–Present)
When Soundgarden reunited in 2010 (initially under the anagram moniker Nudedragons), Shepherd returned with renewed vigor. The reunion resulted in the 2012 album King Animal, which featured significant contributions from Shepherd, including the standout tracks "Taree," "Attrition," and the grinding, industrial finale "Rowing" which he co-wrote with Chris Cornell.
| Band / Project | Year | Album / Release | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundgarden | 1991 | Badmotorfinger | Bass, Vocals (Backing), Songwriter |
| 1994 | Superunknown | Bass, Vocals (Backing, Lead on "Half"), Songwriter | |
| 1995 | Songs from the Superunknown (EP) | Bass, Songwriter | |
| 1996 | Down on the Upside | Bass, Vocals (Backing), Songwriter, Mandolin | |
| 1997 | A-Sides (Compilation) | Bass, Songwriter ("Bleed Together") | |
| 2010 | Telephantasm (Compilation) | Bass, Songwriter ("Black Rain") | |
| 2011 | Live on I-5 (Live Album) | Bass, Vocals | |
| 2012 | King Animal | Bass, Vocals (Backing), Songwriter, Guitar | |
| Hater | 1993 | Hater | Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass |
| 1995 | Hempilation (Track: "Convicted") | Vocals, Guitar | |
| 2005 | The 2nd | Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Piano | |
| Wellwater Conspiracy | 1997 | Declaration of Conformity | Lead Vocals |
| HBS (Solo) | 2013 | In Deep Owl | Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Drums |
| Collaborations | 1997 | The Desert Sessions: Vols. 1 & 2 | Bass |
| 1999 | Mark Lanegan - I'll Take Care of You | Bass | |
| 2000 | Tony Iommi - Iommi | Bass on "Into the Night" | |
| 2001 | Mark Lanegan - Field Songs | Guitar (Acoustic/Electric), Bass, Piano, Vocals, Lap Steel | |
| 2015 | Ten Commandos - Ten Commandos | Bass (Supergroup with Matt Cameron & Alain Johannes) | |
| 2022 | Ron Bosse - Burning Room Only | Bass (feat. on "DNA", "Deep Cat", "Event Horizon") | |
| Notable Early Works | c. 1982 | 600 School (Live recordings) | Bass/Punk Scene |
| c. 1984 | March of Crimes ("Fairweather Friend") | Bass | |
| 1987 | Tic Dolly Row (Live recordings) | Vocals/Frontman |
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