In this episode, Stephen is joined by best friend and fellow Soundgarden fan Bryan Borthwick for a deep dive into the band’s 1996 album Down on the Upside — a record both of them bought on release week, and both found… well… a bit disappointing after the towering brilliance of Superunknown.
Stephen and Bryan rewind the clock to the early 90s, sharing memories of seeing Soundgarden live in 1992 when they supported Guns N’ Roses at Gateshead Stadium — a show that cemented their admiration for the band and set expectations sky‑high for their Badmotorfinger follow-up.
Across the episode, they critique Down on the Upside with the benefit of hindsight, exploring what works, what drags, and why the album felt so different from its predecessor. Along the way, they share song information, band tensions, chart facts, and behind‑the‑scenes details from the era.
And of course, they take on the main challenge: trimming the album down to under 50 minutes — carving out a tighter, more powerful version of Soundgarden’s most sprawling release.
If you’re a fan of the band, the era, or the art of album‑reimagining, this is a must‑listen.
Like the podcast? Why not show your appreciation by buying Stephen a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com
Podcast website - trimmingthemusicalfat.com /
Email us - trimthemusicalfat@gmail.com /
Join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/274805337346926 /
Check out our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_P5WlRZ0i3tR3jEavD_5A /
Bluesky - @ttmfpodcast.bsky.social
