Hiro Yamamoto

Hiro Yamamoto (born April 13, 1961) is an American bassist who was a founding member of grunge band Soundgarden, along with Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell in 1984.[1] He left the band in 1989, and two years later, he started the independent rock band Truly together with Screaming Trees drummer Mark Pickerel and Robert Roth from The Storybook Krooks. In 2016, Yamamoto co-founded the surf trio Stereo Donkey.

Hiro Yamamoto
Yamamoto in a 1987 promo photo
Background information
Birth nameHiro Yamamoto
Born (1961-04-13) April 13, 1961
OriginPark Forest, Illinois
GenresHeavy metal, grunge, alternative metal, garage rock, surf music, exotica
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass guitar, vocals, guitar
Years active1984–2006
2008–present
LabelsSub Pop, A&M
Member ofSoundgarden, Truly, Stereo Donkey

Soundgarden

Hiro Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 紘; Yamamoto Hiro) was the founding bassist of Soundgarden. He performed with Cornell, Thayil, and drummer Scott Sundquist on the Deep Six compilation, and performed with Cornell, Thayil, and drummer Matt Cameron on the EPs Screaming Life, Fopp, and Loudest Love, as well as on the albums Ultramega OK and Louder Than Love. He departed the band following the spring 1989 European tour. Jason Everman (formerly of Nirvana) replaced him on the bass briefly, after which Ben Shepherd became the permanent bassist. After Yamamoto departed, he completed the requirements for his master's degree in physical chemistry at Western Washington University. He is currently the Chief of Organic Chemistry at Edge Analytical in Burlington, Washington.

As did Cornell, Thayil, Cameron, and Shepherd, Yamamoto actively wrote songs for the band:

  • "Heretic" (first version on Deep Six, second on Loudest Love) ... lyrics
  • "Tears to Forget" (first version on Deep Six, second on Screaming Life) music (co-written)
  • "All Your Lies" (first version on Deep Six, second on Ultramega OK) music (co-written)
  • "Kingdom of Come" (Fopp) credited to Soundgarden
  • "665" (Ultramega OK) music
  • "667" (Ultramega OK) music
  • "Circle of Power" (Ultramega OK) lyrics, vocals
  • "Nazi Driver" (Ultramega OK) music
  • "Toy Box" (Flower) lyrics, music (co-written)
  • "Power Trip" (Louder Than Love) music
  • "I Awake" (Louder Than Love) ... music
  • "No Wrong No Right" (Louder Than Love) ... music

Truly

In 1991, Yamamoto formed a three-piece indie band, Truly. The other members were former Screaming Trees drummer Mark Pickerel and singer Robert Roth. Truly released two studio albums and a compilation of unreleased material before breaking up in 2000. The band reunited in 2008.

Stereo Donkey
Stereo Donkey in rehearsal, in the former church that is the "fourth member of the band." April 17, 2016.

Following a successful 2016 jam session, Yamamoto formed a surf-inspired trio, Stereo Donkey, with drummer Mike Bajuk, and guitarist Pat Wickline.

In November 2018, the band released an eponymous six-track EP, recorded in the old church that Wickline lives in. According to Wickline, "The room is a fourth member of the band." The recording reportedly works as both surf music and exotica, yet is still rooted in, "Pacific Northwest rock history".[2]

Other performance

On November 8, 2021, Yamamoto performed with other noted musicians at an event in Seattle honoring the Asian Hall of Fame's 2021 inductees, and the 35th anniversary of the Robert Chinn Foundation. The other performers included Jeff Kashiwa, Krist Novoselic, Ed Roth, and Danny Seraphine.[3]

Discography

Soundgarden

Truly

Stereo Donkey
  • Stereo Donkey (EP) – 2018

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Soundgarden". AMG. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  2. Cole, Brent. "Stereo Donkey: PNW surf trio". What's Up!. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  3. "Asian Hall of Fame aims to celebrate Asian contributions, combat anti-Asian hate". The Seattle Times. November 9, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022.

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