My pal Kevin (Circle K) and I went to the sold out Chris Cornell show at The Orange Peel in Asheville. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t even know it was going to be a solo acoustic set. He performed solo work, songs by Temple of The Dog, Soundgarden, and Audioslave. He also did several covers including songs from Mother Love Bone, and, “Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson. I decided I would catch just one song on video and it turned out to be this one. Another interesting thing from the show is that Cornell, for two songs, used instrumental vinyl records as accompaniment. He had a turntable to the side, would put the needle on, sing the song, and then take the needle off. Nice.

Various Artists -- Deep Six (Green River, Malfunkshun, The Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, U-Men)

• Artist: Various Artists
• Title: Deep Six (Green River, Malfunkshun, The Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, U-Men)
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1985 – Where?
• Keeper: Yes

This summary from the C/Z Records site pretty much says it all:

“1985 – C/Z is born (a year prior to the launching of the Sub Pop label) with the release of the DEEP SIX compilation featuring the first available recordings from Soundgarden, Melvins, and Green River (who later spawned Mother Love Bone & Pearl Jam). The record marked the earliest beginnings of grunge. In time these bands are signed and successful.”

The six bands are: Green River, Malfunkshun, The Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden and U-Men. The most noteworthy descendant band not mentioned above is Mudhoney. Singer Mark Arm was first in Green River. Many would consider this the first significant record from the burgeoning 1980s Seattle scene. Some would call it “grunge”, but I’ve read that many of the bands didn’t like being lumped into a single category.

Wikipedia has a good article about Deep Six where you see the song list and the band rosters. Scan the list and you’ll see a lot familiar names sometimes under less familiar bands. These guys moved around a lot.

I was very excited about this music because it was essentially guitar-based rock that wasn’t, for the most part, stupid mainstream stuff from guys with teased up hair and makeup. I suppose it was punk in its own way, but with better riffs.

There were only 2000 copies of Deep Six made. It’s supposedly collectible, and tonight I saw a copy on eBay for $75.

Various -- Sub Pop 200

• Artist: Various
• Title: Sub Pop 200
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it directly from Sub Pop when we had our store, RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The track list below probably tells you everything you really need to know about this collection. Everyone from pre-David Grohl Nirvana to my heroes Soundgarden have recordings included on this three disk box set. It was packaged in a completely plain black box that included a 16 page insert filled with great band photography by Charles Peterson and the usual slick, streamline Sub Pop graphic design. In the early years those things defined Sub Pop almost as much as the music. The vinyl edition was limited to 5000. You can still buy the CD, but that’s crap.

“Remember, if it isn’t Sub Pop, it probably sucks.”

Side A

• “Sex God Missy” – Tad
• “Is It Day I’m Seeing?” – The Fluid
• “Spank Thru” – Nirvana
• “Come Out Tonight” – Steven J. Bernstein

Side B

• “The Rose” – Mudhoney
• “Got No Chains” – The Walkabouts
• “Dead Is Dead” – Terry Lee Hale

Side C

• “Sub Pop Rock City” – Soundgarden
• “Hangin’ Tree” – Green River
• “Swallow My Pride” – Fastbacks

Side D

• “The Outback” – Blood Circus
• “Zoo” – Swallow
• “Underground” – Chemistry Set

Side E

• “Gonna Find A Cave” – Girl Trouble
• “Split” – The Nights And Days
• “Big Cigar” – Cat Butt

Side F

• “Pajama Party In A Haunted Hive” – Beat Happening
• “Love Or Confusion” – Screaming Trees
• “Untitled” – Steve Fisk
• “You Lost It” – The Thrown Ups