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Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd Makes Solo Debut With Raw-Rocking ‘Baron Robber’

Ben Shepherd HBS 'Baron Robber' Soundgarden

Soundgarden bassist and songwriter Ben Shepherd will release his debut solo album as HBS on August 27. In Deep Owl was written over the past four years and recorded in industrial Seattle. The man born Hunter Benedict Shepherd had originally intended for the project to feature only voice and acoustic guitar, but early on the in process he brought in a couple of clutch friends: Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain. Their propulsive presence inspired Shepherd to beef up his sound and the end result can be heard below in “Baron Robber.” This first taste of the forthcoming album combines the moody hard edge of his more famous band with a rawer psychedelic quality. While Soundgarden’s King Animal was cleaned up and classy, HBS’ new song feels down and dirty, minimally produced and ready to rock. Enjoy: