A street musician, known for collaborating with Frank Zappa, is revealed to have violently self-harmed, spraying blood in all directions.
In the heart of the grunge era, Soundgarden's third album, Badmotorfinger, was their first million seller, released in 1991. But it was their fourth album, Superunknown, that truly catapulted them to superstar level in 1994. One of the album's standout tracks, "Spoonman," was a tribute to a local Seattle street performer named Artis the Spoonman.
Artis the Spoonman, a real-life street musician and spoon player, was a fixture at Seattle's famous Pike Place Market in the early 1990s. He began playing spoons at the age of 10 and began hitchhiking and busking around the country in the early 70s. His unique musical style, playing the spoons as an instrument, gained significant recognition in the grunge music scene, largely due to Soundgarden's "Spoonman."
The band wrote the song as a tribute to the local street musician, integrating his distinctive spoon-playing into their grunge sound, which helped highlight an unusual form of musical expression within the genre. Artis the Spoonman was invited to play on the song after supporting Soundgarden at a gig in 1992.
"Spoonman" features a guitar solo played on metal spoons, a testament to Artis's skill and the song's innovative nature. Artis himself played on the studio recording, resulting in blood flying everywhere due to his energetic performance with an arsenal of spoons and metal implements.
The song was the lead single from Superunknown, reaching No.3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and No.20 on the UK singles chart. However, Artis felt uncomfortable with the song's lyrics, particularly the line "Save me." Despite this, he appeared in the video for the song.
Artis the Spoonman's significance to the grunge scene is thus tied to his role as a notable figure in Seattle's music culture during the height of grunge. By incorporating his spoon performance into "Spoonman," Soundgarden gave mainstream visibility to this eccentric musician and his craft, creating a memorable link between street performance art and the alternative rock movement of the 1990s.
Artis continues to be recognized as a "living legend" and world-class performer, appearing in various performances and shows beyond his association with Soundgarden. After "Spoonman," he released his own album, Entertain The Entertainers.
Interestingly, Artis was not invited to the Grammys when Soundgarden picked up awards for "Spoonman." Grainy footage shows him recording the song topless and throwing himself into it. Despite this, "Spoonman" remains a testament to the vibrant local music scene influencing grunge and the unusual forms of musical expression that emerged during that time.
Soundgarden were one of the pioneers of the grunge scene, making their recorded debut on the 1986 compilation record Deep Six by local punk label C/Z Records. Their first proper single, "Hunted Down," was released on Sub Pop in 1987.
In summary, "Spoonman" is a grunge anthem that immortalizes Seattle street musician Artis the Spoonman and the vibrant local music scene influencing grunge. The song brought attention to his art and the unusual forms of musical expression within the genre, creating a memorable link between street performance art and the alternative rock movement of the 1990s.
- Soundgarden, renowned for their pioneering role in the grunge scene, first made their recorded debut on the 1986 compilation record Deep Six by local punk label C/Z Records.
- The band's first proper single, "Hunted Down," was released on Sub Pop in 1987.
- Artis the Spoonman, a street musician and spoon player, was a fixture at Seattle's famous Pike Place Market in the early 1990s.
- He began playing spoons at the age of 10 and began hitchhiking and busking around the country in the early 70s.
- Artis's unique musical style, playing the spoons as an instrument, gained significant recognition in the grunge music scene, largely due to Soundgarden's "Spoonman."
- The band wrote "Spoonman" as a tribute to the local street musician, integrating his distinctive spoon-playing into their grunge sound.
- "Spoonman" features a guitar solo played on metal spoons, a testament to Artis's skill and the song's innovative nature.
- In the music industry, "Spoonman" stands as a prog, classic rock, blues, and punk fusion album.
- Artis's relevance extends beyond his association with Soundgarden, as he continues to be recognized as a "living legend" and world-class performer, appearing in various performances and shows beyond his grunge influence.
