Dave Krusen Chats About KING ULTRAMEGA Tribute Cover of SOUNDGARDEN's "Loud Love"

Dave Krusen performs on the latest King Ultramega single, "Loud Love". We would love for this interview to focus on his involvement in King Ultramega and the new single, which is a Soundgarden cover.

KING ULTRAMEGA Unveil Tribute Cover Of SOUNDGARDEN's "Loud Love" Ft.
Lzzy Hale, In Memory Of Chris Cornell And In Partnership With MusiCares

Dave Krusen of PEARL JAM, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, opens up about revisiting this classic SOUNDGARDEN track. "Seattle was a very turbulent place in the late 80s / early 90s and I think the best thing to come out of it was all the great music. I was a huge Soundgarden fan. I got to meet Chris and Matt when we (Pearl Jam) were working on 10 and they were working on Temple Of the Dog. It was a huge thrill for me. The fact that I was asked to be a part of this King Ultramega record was a huge honor. I was very intimidated to try and
tackle the drum parts in 'Loud Love', but the guys I was recording with made it
no pressure and a lot of fun."

Krusen shares a personal memory of Chris, "I'll never forget in 1993 backstage at a Pearl Jam show, Chris came up and said 'Hey Dave, it's Chris. Do you remember me?' every time I talked to him, he was always such a sweet guy to me. I miss him and his music. Plus Matt has always been so gracious and cool to me, letting me share his drum throne, was also a huge honor."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hi, you have done to censure.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
Wow for you young. This is the pipe Man here
on the Adventureans Pipe Man W four c Y Radio.
And I'm very excited about our next guest because we
have some killer music to talk about. So let's welcome

(00:31):
to the show. Dave from King Ultramega. How are you?

Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'm good man, How are you doing?

Speaker 2 (00:37):
I'm doing great. Let me tell you, like, I'm just
going to start off right now, and you probably would
say the same thing. I know you would say the
same thing. I have never met anybody in my whole
not only career but passion for music has said a
bad word about Chris Cornell. It's pretty rare. It's pretty

(01:00):
rare that nobody says a like everybody looks at him
as like one of the greatest voices to rock ever.

Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (01:09):
Absolutely, And I you know, I talked to him a
few times going way back, and just always such a
sweet guy.

Speaker 3 (01:20):
And yeah, just a.

Speaker 4 (01:22):
Great guy and one of the most talented people you're
ever gonna listen to, for sure.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Absolutely. And you know it is a testament when you
have a band like King Ultramega that is paying tribute
to somebody like that, because it says a lot, you know,
And you guys just unveiled the cover of Loud Love,
and man, that's pretty it's pretty bad ass. I gotta say.

Speaker 3 (01:53):
Thanks.

Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, I was really excited to be a part of
it for sure, you know what I mean. And then
out hearing how it came him out, Yeah, I'm pretty
pumped about it, you know, getting to.

Speaker 3 (02:07):
Pay honor to Chris in the band.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
And even all these years later, it's like still it's
like he's still with us here, you know. And so
how did this all come about that you guys decided
to do this and and pick this particular Sound Garden cover.

Speaker 3 (02:29):
Well, Mark reached out.

Speaker 4 (02:32):
A while ago and he told me what he had planned,
and I thought it was a great idea, you know,
it's and the people involved. It was like, wow, that
sounds like a really great idea, you know. And then
he threw this song out and I was like, oh shit,
you know, that's a that's a tough one, ah, no one,

(02:56):
you know, but I love the song so much. It's
been one of my favorite songs, you know, since I
heard it. So yeah, it was a little daunting at
first just to try and take it on, but then
after just kind of you know, kind of settle in
and just have fun with it and everything. And yeah,

(03:18):
it was a great. It was great to sit with
the headphones.

Speaker 3 (03:21):
On and play along like that.

Speaker 4 (03:24):
I mean, I'd probably done it at some point, but
it'd been decades, you know, so yeah.

Speaker 3 (03:29):
Revisit it in that way.

Speaker 4 (03:30):
Yeah, it's amazing and a whole new appreciation for the
just insane talent that band has.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Now you've talked to him a few times when he was,
you know, with us, What do you think he would
have thought of this version of the song?

Speaker 3 (03:48):
I think he'd loved it.

Speaker 4 (03:50):
What she does with the vocals is just, you know,
face meltingly amazing.

Speaker 3 (03:57):
It's man, she's good. So I think he'd have really
dug it, really, and he's just such a nice guy.

Speaker 4 (04:07):
I met them when they were doing Templette Dog.

Speaker 3 (04:11):
We were working in.

Speaker 4 (04:11):
The studio also, so I was just geeking out, like,
oh my god, you know, such a big fan him
and came in and then they played a little club
show and then I didn't see anybody.

Speaker 3 (04:29):
It was kind of out of town, and I came back.

Speaker 4 (04:31):
I went to a Pearl Jam show and I think
it was ninety three, and I'll never forget.

Speaker 3 (04:35):
He came up and he's like, hey, Dave, remember me.

Speaker 4 (04:37):
I was like, you're just like funny like that, like
just such a gracious guy and just so down to earth,
you know what I mean, so unaffected, so unaffected by yeah,
and uh, just such a cool dude.

Speaker 3 (04:52):
I think he'd dug it though.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Really well, and Lizzie, you're right, like there's one thing
to listen to. Were on an album, but I remember
the first time I saw her live and I was like,
oh my god, her voice is like ten million times
better than the album, which that's not always the case.

Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, we played a couple festivals with them. I'm pretty sure.
I mean it's kind of a blur. I was touring
with Counterbox for a long time. I want to say,
like ten years ago, nine years ago, somewhere in there.
We do festivals, you know, here and there, and I
know we played with him somewhere because I remember when

(05:34):
it came up and he was telling me.

Speaker 3 (05:35):
I was like, oh, yeah, I knew her. You know,
I've heard her live.

Speaker 4 (05:38):
It's like, yeah, she's extreme, extreme talent right there for sure.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
You know. It's funny too. I do find that of
the people that do pay homage to Chris Cornell. The
best singers to do it have been the females.

Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, I mean who can hit those notes like that?
For sure?

Speaker 4 (06:04):
Yeah, I mean it's I don't know a lot of
guys that could take that on and really pull it off.
Maybe if you like just kind of approached it completely differently,
but yeah, you're not gonna you're not gonna get.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
The same you know intensity.

Speaker 4 (06:21):
Yeah, and she's like, there's so much power in her voice,
you know what I mean, it's not.

Speaker 3 (06:26):
Just a high voice. It's she belts it out. She's
got a.

Speaker 2 (06:31):
Ton she's got range.

Speaker 3 (06:33):
Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 4 (06:34):
Yeah, yeah, not it's not just a high voice, you know,
hitting those notes.

Speaker 3 (06:39):
It's yeah, she's Yeah, I was super.

Speaker 4 (06:43):
Impressed, and my phone's been blowing up you know people,
Oh my god.

Speaker 3 (06:47):
Yeah, it's it's it's really cool.

Speaker 4 (06:50):
I'd like to play live with this band at some point,
you know.

Speaker 2 (06:54):
Oh, it'd be cool if you guys like hit the
festival circuit like all the do all the Danny wimmer
festal stables.

Speaker 1 (07:01):
Yeah yeah, well yeah, you know, because what's funny is
it could definitely happen because, like, you know, hailstorms at
them all the time and stuff like that, so it
could be kind of like a cool thing where you know.

Speaker 2 (07:18):
Everybody's already there and now you could do a set
like that, you know. I mean, yeah, I remember I
was at you know I was at because I cover
all the US festivals, UK, Europe, and I was at
the festival like the week before that happened with Chris

(07:39):
and they sound Darn was playing. And then the next
week I was at another Wimmer festival and we got
the news and it was like it was such a shock,
such a shock. But then like the funeral and even
just after the funeral, like the love that people had
for that, and like it's unbelievable, you know, and that

(08:05):
that that's more than just being a great artist, that
says what kind of human being?

Speaker 3 (08:10):
He was absolutely, Yes, for sure, Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (08:17):
What's your favorite memory of ever, you know, playing with them,
being with them besides the one you just told, which
is pretty funny, you know, Okay, do you remember me?
That's a good one.

Speaker 3 (08:34):
Yeah, for sure, you know, one of the It's in
my top ten regrets easily.

Speaker 4 (08:41):
When we played at the Rock Candy it was a
brand new club and it was Anna Nancy Wilson and
Pearl Jam played and Matt wasn't there, but Chris was
there and he wanted to do a Temple of Dog
song and I was so I was like.

Speaker 3 (09:03):
Oh my god, I can't. I can't play that stuff.

Speaker 4 (09:06):
I'll just I mean, you know, I kind of felt
like at the time, like, oh, you know, I am
showing how much you My attitude has just got to
express the deep respect I have for Matt Cameron. And
I was super nervous too. I mean, you know, I

(09:26):
was so green back then. If I would never turn
that opportunity, you know, but I just think, man, that
was my one chance to go play a song with
Chris and uh and.

Speaker 3 (09:41):
I didn't do that and yeah to this wow.

Speaker 4 (09:44):
But then sitting down with him like in a pizza
parlor in La I mean, this is a while ago now,
this is probably twenty ten something like that, and just
you know, with some other dudes talking about not music
all just others, you know, just life, hanging out and

(10:04):
that was great, you know, sharing a slice, just chilling well.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
And see that is the cool thing. That's why I
like you expressing that, because like when you're living your life,
like even though music is a huge passion. That's not
all you talk about. It's just like I do in interviews.
I'd like to find out what else the artists are
passionate about. But it is cool those experiences. It's like
I remember, I remember one time I was interviewing Rey

(10:33):
ma Orgo and then I sat down on the curb
and I was smoking a cigarette and Corey Taylor just
walks and sits down starts talking to me about the weather.
And I never fanboy out that I fanboyed out on
in my head, I'm like, oh my god, I'm talking
Corey Taylor about the weather, you know, like it's about nothing,

(10:53):
just chilling, you know, you know, And that's that's what
I likes to hear that, you know, artists are just
normal human beings that just happen to play music exactly.

Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yeah. Yeah, I know.

Speaker 4 (11:08):
Sometimes I've met people and I kind of forget that
and then yeah, it's just it's nice to have a
conversation about just kind of whatever and going with the
flow and what's up and just hanging out, you know. Yeah,
then you really appreciate it later, like you're saying, you
know what I mean, It's like, oh, that's so cool.

Speaker 3 (11:28):
To just you know, talk about our dogs. We're just talking.

Speaker 2 (11:31):
About I know, right, dogs, you know, exactly.

Speaker 3 (11:35):
Help my dog and they love their dog and we're
just talking about dogs.

Speaker 2 (11:39):
It's kind of funny too, because friends of mine will
be like, hey, can you get me backstage. I'm like, really, listen,
there's nothing really going on there. Like I'm sitting with
one of the band members and we're sharing pictures of
our grandkids.

Speaker 3 (11:54):
You know.

Speaker 2 (11:54):
It's it's not the it's not the eighties and nineties,
you know. But I think people need to see that
other side because I think maybe they would understand and
be more chill when it comes to artists too, to
realize that, hey, they're just human beings just like you

(12:15):
that happen to play music, you know, and have a
passion for it. That's all.

Speaker 3 (12:20):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (12:21):
So what's your favorite part of your involvement in King Ultramega.

Speaker 4 (12:29):
Well, I mean, I gotta say hearing the final results
and being just floored by the band's talent for sure,
getting to play with all of them, and the fact
that it's honoring Chris and the band, you know what

(12:50):
I mean, It's just totally This is something I got
asked to there's a book photo fantasm. I think I'm
getting that right at a big coffee table book, a
fan based book about Soundgarden, And now I'm blanking on
the woman's name. I feel bad about it, but I

(13:10):
was asked to, like just they knew I was a
huge Soundgarden fan, and what I you know, just kind
of write a little snippet about that, and it's in
the book. And so that was that was a huge honor.
And then getting to do this, you know what I mean,
icing on the cake in a big way, just being

(13:33):
able to honor him, and yeah, you know what I.

Speaker 3 (13:36):
Mean, because Chris really back in that day, you know, growing.

Speaker 4 (13:42):
Up obviously Hendricks was from here and Heart was such
a huge, massive presence, but when Soundgarden was happening, My
the love Bone, you know, just to name those two.
But he's somebody that represents it's the entire Northwest, and

(14:04):
I was so proud to be from here and have
somebody like that out there fronting such an amazing band.
I mean, seriously, that's a lot to put on his shoulders,
you know what I mean, Like, yeah, and he he
really did it, you know what I mean, Like he
represented and brought the love in the power of this area.

(14:27):
And yeah, he made us all proud, I'll say that.

Speaker 2 (14:31):
See, I love hearing stuff like that, Like to have
that kind of respect and admiration, that's just cool as
gonna be. And I hear that from everybody that ever
talks about him, And that's why I started the interview
that way. It's like, it's just unbelievable how somebody can
have that kind of impact on so many people for

(14:54):
being a human being, not just an artist.

Speaker 3 (14:56):
Absolutely, you know, absolutely, yeah.

Speaker 2 (15:00):
So is there anything else you want to share with
the listeners we haven't covered yet that you would want
them to know.

Speaker 4 (15:08):
Well, you know, there's more songs coming out. The lineup
of talent that Mark put together, it's.

Speaker 3 (15:16):
Pretty mind blowing, you know what I mean. Matt is
on there, Kim is on there.

Speaker 4 (15:21):
I can't wait to hear the rest of the stuff, honestly, Like,
I'm so floored so far.

Speaker 3 (15:27):
My phone has been exploding.

Speaker 2 (15:29):
Nice.

Speaker 4 (15:30):
All my friends are really excited for me that I
got to be a part of it. And you know,
it's all about a good cause too.

Speaker 2 (15:37):
So totally, and you know it must be exciting too
as an artist when you know you're playing with people
you don't normally play with because it's like new again,
you know, and there's that excitement of doing something different
with different people.

Speaker 4 (15:56):
Yeah, exactly, and you just you never know, and then
getting to like work out, you know, how's this going
to go? And we're all putting our parts down and
and yeah, and then Mark and I can't remember the
name of the mixer. I'm blanking right now, but you know,

(16:17):
they just they put a lot of effort into it,
and I mean, we all did, but it's it's yeah,
it's it's really you know, I think, I hope I've
talked to Mark a little bit since came out. I know,
we're doing press and we're it just came out a
couple of days ago, so yeah, a lot happening right now.

Speaker 3 (16:39):
But yeah, you know, I.

Speaker 4 (16:42):
I I think he should feel very proud of himself
for having the idea in the first place, and then
how he's you know, kind of bringing it all to
Fruition and it's like it's a big undertaking I could imagine.

Speaker 3 (16:59):
You know what I mean.

Speaker 4 (17:00):
And I mean I'm just doing my small part here,
but kudos to him for for making it happen.

Speaker 2 (17:06):
There's probably a lot of too, Like there's a lot
of stress of something to live up to, like if
you're gonna do that like on his part.

Speaker 3 (17:15):
Oh you know, yeah exactly.

Speaker 4 (17:18):
It's one thing to have an idea, Yeah, that'd be
cool and it then it's like, wow, I'm so impressed
by that guy, seriously, like nice and and what you know, he.

Speaker 3 (17:29):
Pulled it off so far, so good.

Speaker 4 (17:31):
It's only yeah, it's only gonna get better to hear
more stuff.

Speaker 2 (17:34):
So and Music Cares is such a great organization, you know,
like nothing could be needed more. I think I don't
think people realize, like they look at all musicians and
they're like, oh, they're living the dream life and maybe
partially yes, but then they don't see the other parts too,

(17:54):
you know, And that's the point, like again, you're all
just human being means and you have the same struggles
we all do.

Speaker 3 (18:04):
Well, I'm Music Cares.

Speaker 4 (18:05):
I'm somebody who personally benefited from Music Cares.

Speaker 3 (18:10):
Wow, a couple.

Speaker 4 (18:12):
Of surgeries, you know, they sent me to rehab. Many
of my friends they've helped out, you know with the
doctor Bill.

Speaker 3 (18:22):
Here, are going to the dentist there.

Speaker 4 (18:23):
They set up clinics all over dentist clinics nice.

Speaker 3 (18:28):
My ex wife worked there.

Speaker 4 (18:29):
For a long time and it's like, you know, she
helped out not everyone I know, but almost every musician
friend that I have, you know what I mean.

Speaker 3 (18:39):
It's like it's an amazing organization for sure.

Speaker 2 (18:44):
And I love that somebody thought about it because you
know a lot of people think, oh, musicians, they're making
a ton of money. Yeah, not necessarily, and there's things
that they need that they can't afford to.

Speaker 4 (18:58):
Do exactly exactly. And you know this is it also
has a lot to do with mental health, you know, obviously,
and there's a lot more you know, it's a lot
more out and about these days ever since COVID. I
feel like, but which is is good? You know, and

(19:19):
more awareness the better because so many people struggle with it,
and uh, you know it's it's it's more accepted now
if if you're going through something to not you know,
you don't have to like feel like you're gonna be
shunned for saying, Hey, I'm going through it, you know
what I mean, I need some help. And you know,

(19:41):
there's a lot more help than there was in regards
to that, so and there are a huge Music Care
is a huge you know, proponent of like staying on
top of that and how you're doing it. So yeah,
like you're saying it. Sometimes it doesn't even have anything
to do with money, whether it's like someone is doing
well or not. It's just that they're so good at

(20:04):
reaching people in the music industry on you know, any
different level to provide a lot of assistance.

Speaker 3 (20:14):
You know. Yeah, it's a wonderful thing. Best grants ever did.

Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yeah, I love it because, like I have a lot
of friends or musicians, and you know, there's a lot
of struggles musicians have to go through all the time
and a lot of reasons. That's the reason they are
a musician, because that's their outlet to get it out,
you know absolutely. You know, to me, music some of
the best therapy. But yeah, there's other things you need too,

(20:41):
And that's that's where I love what organization like Music
Cares does because they do care.

Speaker 3 (20:49):
Absolutely, that's a fact. I've seen it firsthand.

Speaker 2 (20:52):
There it is. Well, I love the Sound Garden cover.
I like that's already out loud love and I can't
wait for more. And thanks for doing this, you know,
number one, and thanks for being on the Adventures of
Pipe Man.

Speaker 3 (21:09):
Thanks for having me man, that was fun.

Speaker 2 (21:11):
Chatting my pleasure and that's always good to hear.

Speaker 4 (21:15):
Dave cruzing here, King Ultramega, you listening to the Pipe
Man W four c Y Radio and thank god you
doing this, keep doing

Speaker 2 (21:27):
It, Thank you, binding, Thank you for listening to the
Adventures of Pipemin on W for CUI Radio.