Soundgarden members and Sebadoh reunion highlights of SMooCH benefit concert

It was before Christmas, but still perfectly in line with the holiday spirit: On December 14, 2024, the 13th annual SMooCH (Seattle Musicians for Children's Hospital) benefit concert took place at Seattle's Showbox, raising $2.2 million for uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital.

A highlight of the evening was the reunion of Soundgarden's surviving members — guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron — performing under the anagram Nudedragons. This marked one of their rare reunions since the 2017 passing of frontman Chris Cornell. Seattle-based singer Shaina Shepherd, known for her work with the soul-grunge band Bearaxe, provided lead vocals for the set, making it seem more like a supergroup moment. Their performance featured five Soundgarden classics: "Hunted Down," "Outshined," "Flower," "Beyond the Wheel," and "Kickstand."

Additionally, they covered "Kick Out the Jams" by the MC5, a nod to Thayil's participation in the MC5's 50th anniversary tour. For the final two songs, Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan joined the stage, having performed his own set earlier in the evening.

Another significant reunion was that of indie rock band Sebadoh, led by Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow. This performance marked their first in five years, delivering a 15-song setlist that emphasized tracks from their acclaimed 1994 album Bakesale, long with selections from their 2019 release Act Surprised. Barlow, reflecting on the event, shared his excitement about meeting Kim Thayil for the first time.

He recounted a conversation where Thayil compared Dinosaur Jr.'s debut album to the Meat Puppets and mentioned that Chris Cornell had introduced Soundgarden to their second album, You're Living All Over Me." Barlow also expressed admiration for Bubba Dupree of the hardcore punk band Void, highlighting Dupree's influence on post-hardcore and grunge music.

More about The SMooCH benefit concert and Nudedragons

The SMooCH benefit concert, founded by Pete and Brandy Nordstrom, has become a significant annual event in Seattle's music scene, bringing together artists to support children's healthcare. So this "brief encore performance" (as it was called) of Soundgarden members is just one of the achievements of these ongoing efforts.

Over its 13-year history, the event has raised more than $30 million for Seattle Children's Hospital. According to the event's Facebook page, the 2024 extravaganza raised $2.2 million.

Shaina Shepherd's collaboration with Nudedragons was particularly noteworthy. Shepherd has previously worked with Kim Thayil, including a 2020 performance at the Museum of Pop Culture's Founders Award event honoring Alice in Chains, where they covered "It Ain't Like That" and "What the Hell Have I."

The evening also featured performances by Built to Spill's Doug Martsch, adding to the diverse lineup that celebrated Seattle's rich musical heritage. The SMooCH benefit concert continues to exemplify the power of music in uniting communities for a noble cause, honoring the legacies of influential artists while supporting the future of children's healthcare.