The Cage - Soundgarden homage?

[davidstvz]

First time I heard "The Cage" (2nd track on Dust) I felt like the opening guitar riff had a serious Soundgarden vibe going. And then Tremonti's voice is presented in a way that makes me think of Cornell as well. And the song name could be a reference to "Rusty Cage". Anyone else thinking that? I wonder if Tremonti has every said anything about that in interviews. Maybe it's just me.

[UninvitedZero]

Can't say I've ever made the connection there. Never been a massive Soundgarden fan, so that might be why...

[Ubik]

I am one and have never made the connection either But I also don't like The Cage and never listen to it, which also may be why. You never know though, Mark's a big Soundgarden fan too.

[davidstvz]

Yep, probably just me then. I can see why someone wouldn't like the song. I don't like the chorus all that much to be honest, but the opening is really cool.

[Dolo]

If you hadn't mentioned Rusty Cage I wouldn't have noticed, but yeah, there is a resemblance. And agreed, it's an awful track. That verse riff comes absolutely out of nowhere and doesn't fit the rest at all.

[Andy92]

I always thought the song was pretty catchy lol

[davidstvz]

I certainly wouldn't say it's awful, but it's less than fully realized and a bit awkward at times. Like any song from a good artist, some people will hate it and some will love it, and for most people it could grow on you if you give it a chance.

[Ubik]

You know, listening again... there is a resemblance! Also hard love that break into the bridge. But yeah, the rest isn't my favourite.

[Mr. Slash]

I love the guitar solo of The Cage tho

[davidstvz]

You know, I can take this to another level. I just tried to learn Rusty Cage for the first time and it's in Drop B (from standard). Tremonti's The Cage is in Drop B (from 3 half steps down; i.e. Drop D 3 half-steps down). So the tuning is very similar. Actually Rusty Cage plays very well in Tremonti's tuning.

The opening riff in Rusty Cage uses intervals from A up to B (there is a B to C# interval as well). The Cage uses pull-offs from a high A (10th fret) to a low B (0th fret of the 4th string) though Mark works in an F# as well and at the end of the main riff he uses the same A to B interval that's in Rusty Cage. This must be intentional.