Although not an original member of Soundgarden, bassist Ben Shepherd was present for the band's most successful period. Hunter Benedict Shepherd was born on September 20, 1968, in Okinawa, Japan (the son of a U.S. serviceman), but grew up on Bainbridge Island -- across Puget Sound in Seattle. Attracted to punk rock as a teenager, Shepherd took up guitar and formed several garage bands throughout the '80s, including 600 School, March of Crimes, Tic Dolly Row, Mind Circus, and Episode. Besides playing shows and building up a small regional following, none of the aforementioned bands issued recordings. Shepherd also served time as a roadie for Nirvana during their early days (and was considered at one point to join as a rhythm guitarist).
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