Chris Cornell quits Audioslave

Aero · Post by **Aero** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:49 pm

Source: http://www.audioslaved.com/article661.html

Chris Cornell Talks Audioslave Split, Nixes Soundgarden Reunion
Singer wishes former bandmates 'nothing but the best.'

By Chris Harris

In a statement to the press announcing the imminent release of his sophomore solo album, Carry On, on Thursday (February 15) Chris Cornell confirmed months of rumors by announcing that he has left Audioslave.

"Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave," he said in a statement. "I wish the other three members" â€” guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk â€” "nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."

That was the extent of Cornell's statement regarding his departure. But this afternoon, when MTV News spoke with Cornell about his decision to leave Audioslave, he said he had been thinking about leaving since the band finished recording its last effort, Revelations.

"It was clear to all of us we needed some time apart, and what that produces is anybody's guess," he said. "In my case, it produced a very prolific writing period, and getting back into writing songs on my own, liking what that means â€” which is sort of a freedom and time to just experiment with music to a degree I kind of like more â€” and making records that have everything I like about music in them. Audioslave was a very fresh collaboration because it was very much like a young band, where you all write together in a room. But my experience, in terms of songwriting and record-creating, is not like a 19-year-old guy in a rock band. For me to be satisfied, I think I need to be able to be on my own, in the long run."

Cornell's album, which was helmed by producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones) and is the follow-up to 1999's Euphoria Morning, will be in stores May 1. The LP will contain 14 tracks, including "Safe and Sound," "Scar on the Sky" and a slow-grind cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean."

In July, Cornell denied Audioslave-split rumors, months before the band issued Revelations (see "Chris Cornell Working On Solo LP â€” But Dismisses Rumors Of Audioslave Split").

Of course, Cornell's since had a serious change of heart. "It hadn't really crossed my mind until a few days ago that I really have no intention of being in this band," he said. "It's been asked before, but it wasn't ever clear in my mind before, and I didn't really see any reason why we couldn't be a band at some point. But now, my feelings are what they are, and I just wanted to get things out on the table and be clear about it."

Cornell said the split was amicable and that, as far as he's concerned, Audioslave is finished, "Unless they want to go find another singer and go make other Audioslave records â€” then maybe they can have two bands, with a different singer for Rage and a different singer for Audioslave, and they could go on tour and open for each other.

"I certainly don't have any animosity toward them, and I don't think anyone hates me," he continued. "And to be honest, I think those guys getting back and doing some Rage shows is great. I think one of the main reasons why I ever wanted a band like Audioslave was because of seeing Rage in 1996, and I thought they were one of the best live bands I had ever seen. That's why I wanted to do it. The thought of those guys playing shows and maybe becoming a band again I think is a great thing. There were times in Audioslave where I wondered whether those guys missed the visceral nature of the audience response that Rage would get. We had a different experience and a different crowd, but it was so specific to Rage, that kind of world that they were in, that I often wondered if they missed it."

Cornell said that Audioslave will issue a greatest-hits collection with some unreleased material at some point, "because whoever it is we owe it to will say, 'OK, we're going to put that out now,' because that's what labels do." He said he wasn't sure which label the best-of was owed to the band released records through a partnership between Epic and Interscope.

And when asked about Soundgarden possibly reuniting, Cornell said it was doubtful. "I haven't received any phone calls from anyone in Soundgarden about a reunion since we broke up, nor have I called anyone," he said. "We were happy with how it ended. There was no unfinished business. Soundgarden wasn't a band where we broke up and everyone was like, 'I'm never f---ing talking to you again.' It wasn't like that. We've all talked to each other many times since then. Its something we don't feel we need to do."

"We hear rumors that Audioslave is breaking up all the time," he said. "Even in the beginning, when we were having business problems and we weren't necessarily going to be a band, we were still going to put out a record. We made a record and we loved it. I think that's where it starts â€” the idea that we sort of started on shaky ground. You would hope that by now, putting out our third record, people wouldn't be thinking that way or be worried about it. But it comes up. I always just ignore it."

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:48 pm

band #2. He must be a complete pain in the ass.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:24 pm

That's a pretty crappy thing to say. . .and superficial as well.

Regardless, I hope that the new album is just as good as EM was. I love that CD.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:06 pm

I agree with Garr, nice comment BassJones.

Morphine Child · Post by **Morphine Child** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:36 pm

I could never really get into Chris Cornell's voice. Is Rage reuniting? That would be cool.

Aero · Post by **Aero** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:36 pm

Morphine Child wrote:Is Rage reuniting? That would be cool.

Rage is reuniting to play Coachella, but they haven't announced a permanent reunion or tour. Now that Audioslave is over, there's a good chance that Rage will get back together.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:00 am

Steve wrote:I agree with Garr, nice comment BassJones.

Oh, come on. I think the guy's got one of the greatest rock and roll voices I've ever heard, but he seems to have a nack for pissing off bandmates and breaking up killer bands.

echosauce1 · Post by **echosauce1** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:38 am

awww sh*t. I am disagreeing with bassjones twice tonight. (hope you don't see me as jo jo now.

)

I loved soundgarden. Really, I thought they were awesome. That being said, I (sadly) was always glad they went out on top.

Audioslave? I got excited. Liked the first album. Mediocre about the second. Third? Not sure yet. It never seemed to fit well. Never since the beginning.

It seems to be a bit off to "blast" Chris when he said things were amicable.

C'mon. I'm sure you've been in bands where stuff did not "work out". It's not really anyones fault. Things just happen that way. Sort of like relationships with a girl who you have no reason to be mad at, just didn't work out.

At least give the guy credit for not "sh*t talking".

traumaqueen · Post by **traumaqueen** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:53 am

Friends and liars
Dont wait for me
Cause Ill get on
All by myself
Put millions of miles
Under my heels
And still too close to you
I feel

rezin · Post by **rezin** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:03 am

one step closer to RATM pt.2...

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:30 am

traumaqueen wrote:Friends and liars
Dont wait for me
Cause Ill get on
All by myself
Put millions of miles
Under my heels
And still too close to you
I feel

Thank you for that wonderful quote. I love that song.

maloley · Post by **maloley** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:10 am

i wouldnt mind seein rage get back together i was never a real big fan of chris cornell at all

GoDownProductions · Post by **GoDownProductions** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:50 am

maloley wrote:i was never a real big fan of chris cornell at all

I actually can't stand the sound of his voice. I'm really hoping RATM get's back together for at least one more album.

jewlee138 · Post by **jewlee138** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:51 am

I was never a big fan, either, but I caught Audioslave in concert - on accident - and they were DOPE. I never bought an album, but I don't mind their songs & they put on a great live show.