Soundgarden Tease ‘Badmotorfinger,’ ‘Ultramega OK’ Reissues
Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil has revealed that the group will release a 25th anniversary reissue of their third studio album, Badmotorfinger, this fall. The album contained the singles “Jesus Christ Pose,” “Outshined” and “Rusty Cage.” In an interview with Loudwire, he called it the “most exciting thing in the next few months.” He also said it would be coming out on November 18th, but did not proffer any other details.
Thayil said the band also hoped to put out a remixed and remastered edition of their first LP, 1988’s Ultramega OK. “We’re hoping to put that out early next year,” he said. “We’ve moved the labels; we’re putting that out on Sup Pop. All the paperwork is in order.” Thayil had originally announced that this reissue was in the works in 2014, saying at the time that engineer Jack Endino was working on giving it a “heavier, warmer mix.” At the time, they were looking for a label to put it out, as they had severed ties with SST, the original record company owned by Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn that released it.
In a 2014 interview with Billboard related to a deluxe edition of their 1994 album Superunknown, Thayil said the group had been discussing a Badmotorfinger reissue. The group had unearthed B-sides, live material and possibly even rehearsal material. “Badmotorfinger had an impact with listeners but also with guitarists and drummers and singers, people who started bands,” he said. “It definitely deserves the same kind of treatment we’re giving [Superunknown].”
It’s unclear what will be included on these prospective reissues since, in late 2014, the group put out the box set Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks From Across the Path. This set included B-sides and other miscellany related to both Badmotorfinger and Ultramega OK.