Recent Stories with tag eddie vedder

If 2009 was an unusually nostalgic year in local music for certain wistful Seattle Gen-Xers, 2010 was the opening cymbal crash of an encore. Defunct old favorites reunited. Extant old favorites continued to soar. A tight-knit community that first rocked the world a quarter-century ago grew ever closer, through remembrance of lost friends and the sharing of new music. Here are five 2010 music-related events that tickled those Seattleites who’ve been listening all these years. (Part two here.)

10. Pearl Jam Launches Satellite Radio Station
What do you give the fans who have everything (hundreds of official bootlegs, multiple live records, nine studio releases since 1991)? On October 22, the 20th anniversary of the band's first show, Pearl Jam gave its fans the whole sonic shebang, in 24-hour rotation: Pearl Jam Radio. The band's satellite channel (Sirius, 17; XM, 39) not only mixes concert and studio recordings, but gives its cult-status fan family a chance to hear previously unreleased show tracks (going back to that first gig) and another to commune on fan roundtable show "The All Encompassing Trip." Live and studio recordings from PJ members' other current and defunct projects, including Eddie Vedder's solo work, Temple of the Dog, Mother Love Bone, and Mad Season are gravy. There's no better way to tune in to Pearl Jam's origins and evolution...unless you magically have all of this on vinyl.

9. Soundgarden Issues Telephantasm Retrospective
No one expected a Soundgarden reunion prior to January 1, but most folks knew that a career-spanning best-of box was just a matter of time. On September 28, the latter followed the former, in multiple packages—from simple CD to sly (and savvy) Guitar Hero bonus to limited-pressing vinyl set. The box included all the audio hits, of course, but also some previously unreleased live tracks, 14 music videos, bonus videos, and one (excellent) unearthed song from the Badmotorfinger sessions, "Black Rain." For those who couldn't witness Soundgarden's stage return—and that was pretty much everyone—Telephantasm was a worthy consolation prize.... (more)

Twenty years have passed—today—since Pearl Jam took Seattle’s Off Ramp stage and played as a band for the first time, baritone-throated San Diego surfer Eddie Vedder at the mic.

The band is still together. Playing another Bridge School benefit this weekend, in fact. And yes, you are that old.

To commemorate the date of its inaugural 1990 show and provide further proof that Pearl Jam is its generation’s Rolling Stones, the band will commandeer outer space to unleash a commercial-free, 24/7 stream of tunes: Pearl Jam Radio. Cue the official announcement:

Pearl Jam Radio will launch with a special airing of the band's 10th anniversary concert recorded in Las Vegas on October 22, 2000. The concert will be heard in its entirety on Friday, October 22 at 6:00 pm ET. The first day of Pearl Jam Radio on SIRIUS XM will also feature rarely heard highlights from the band's very first concert performance on October 22, 1990 at Off Ramp Cafe in Seattle, Washington.

In addition to these launch day specials, Pearl Jam Radio will feature archival concerts from throughout the band's celebrated 20-year career, rarities, unreleased material from the band's personal music library and music from the band's side projects, including solo and pre-Pearl Jam music.... (more)

You've heard that Eat Pray Love, the August 13 film adaptation of a memoir by the same name, stars the ever-gorgeous Julia Roberts. And that it's about eating and loving and stuff. But did you know the soundtrack (out now) features two songs by Eddie Vedder? That one of them, "Better Days," is a new track penned for the film by the Pearl Jam frontman? Like his mellow, soaring songs for Into the Wild, this one pairs well with Roberts' character's apparent quest for self-definition:

You've also heard about Soundgarden reuniting earlier this year, yes? Well, they showed Chicago how a rock reunion is done last weekend. Tearing through a heavy set of hits ("Spoonman," "Outshined," "Black Hole Sun") and old-school fan favorites ("Flower," "Get On The Snake," "Slaves & Bulldozers") at the Vic Theatre and Lollapalooza (video below), the band proved that they've lost nothing in the intervening years (unlike Stone Temple Pilots and others). No future shows have been announced...yet.... (more)

Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter at McCaw Hall

There were a couple things I knew going in to the Conan O'Brien show Sunday night. It was at McCaw Hall, Conan would be there, and...that's about it. (Sunday also just happened to be Conan's birthday!) Not a lot was said about the show, and no one knew who the guests would be. Would he set it up like a talk show? Would he ride a unicycle for 90 minutes?

It turned out to be an interesting mix, more like a variety act than a comedy tour. There's been some positive and negative talk about the tour, but if you're a huge fan of his talk show, then you probably would have had a fantastic time. The show's opening act, Reggie Watts (formerly of Seattle and currently of Maktub), did a great job of working up the crowd and getting them ready for 90 minutes of hot Coco action. He brought on a lot of laughs with his great mix of electronic music, dirty jokes, and wacky lyrics. The Seattle-specific call-outs really perked up the audience as well as his dazzling voice. 

And then on came Conan with a bang, kicking off with a two-minute standing ovation by the awaiting audience. He started with a pretty typical introduction, talking about the tour and its purpose, with quite a bit of the complaints that we've gotten used to hearing from the ex-NBC host over the last three months. The Seattle crowd ate it up, and it must have felt good to have that many people behind him. Guests that joined the comedian onstage included his sidekick Andy Richter, one of his writers, Deon Cole, who did a short stand-up routine, La Bamba and his "Big Band," and that night's special music guest Dave Matthews.... (more)

Live from New York, it's another Saturday night with Pearl Jam. Tune into Saturday Night Live this evening to see Jude Law play funny and Seattle’s reigning rock band play two tunes from their latest album, Backspacer. Giddily retweeted clues suggest Pearl Jam will play the gorgeous "Just Breathe" and chunky-riffed "Force Of Nature." (Wouldn't it be cool, though, if they surprised everyone with a cut from the forthcoming—probably—Backspacer-session EP?) Cross your fingers for a skit that has the real Eddie Vedder trading verses with Bill Hader's EV.... (more)

Okay, you donated $10 via text message. You called into the Hope for Haiti telethon and, thirty minutes later, gave a woman who wasn't Julia Roberts your debit card number. You're feeling pretty good about your efforts. As you should. So why not reward yourself by giving more—and enjoying some great tunes in the process? Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready, along with a host of local musicians, can help you with that.

For under a buck, you can score Vedder's beautiful rendition of The Boss' "My City of Ruins," performed last month for the latter's Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. (Proceeds benefit Artists for Peace and Justice Haiti Relief.) Springsteen's inspiring ode to Asbury Park, New Jersey ("Rise up!") has new, internationally apt meaning now. Vedder's take is faithful to the original while also a close sonic cousin to his Into the Wild work and the tear duct-punching "Just Breathe" from Pearl Jam's Backspacer. One dollar. One amazing song. One way to help your fellow human beings rise from tragedy.

Another way: buy tickets to next month's "Hootenanny for Haiti." The details:

Showbox and Seattle Theatre Group (STG) present “A Hootenanny For Haiti” at Showbox at the Market on Sunday, February 28th at 7:30pm.

Duff McKagan, Mike McCready, Kim Virant, Kristen Ward, Kim Warnick, Mark Pickerel, Star Anna, Chris Friel, Gary Westlake, Jeff Rouse, Justin Davis, Ty Bailie and friends perform together in an intimate setting to support the Haiti relief efforts of Partners in Health (www.pih.org).

“A Hootenanny For Haiti” is possible by the generous donations of the artists and venue with 100% of the ticket price going to Partners in Health.

That's right, this is a night with members of PJ; McKagan's Loaded; McCready's first band, Shadow; UFO tribute band Flight to Mars; the Fastbacks; etc. It's an eclectic and insanely talented mix of artists—and I wouldn't be surprised if "and friends" included the likes of Stone Gossard and Tim DiJulio. All for $15 donated bucks.

There are other local music-related outlets for Haiti support. They deserve your patronage, too. But will they rock you like these?

If you grew up when grunge blew up—in the Northwest or unfortunately far away, like me—you probably felt a few tugs at your heartstrings via your eardrums (and eyeballs) this year. Maybe what you heard gave you a little thrill. Maybe it pissed you off. Either way, it was a fine year for remembering and reliving Seattle’s flannel-rock heyday. Here's the most compelling (second half of the) evidence. (Check out items 10-6 in Part 1 here.)

5. Mudhoney plays the West Seattle streets

Grunge's elder statesmen could have passed on playing under a tent on SW Alaska Street. They've toured all over the planet—since 1988—after all. But Mudhoney embraced its neighborhood roots (frontman Mark Arm and former bassist Matt Lukin are residents), and West Seattle Summer Fest attendees were given a (free) sonic treat not soon forgotten.

Introduced by then-King County Exec candidate Dow Constantine (who apparently knows Arm, among other musicians, from the scene's early days), the always-full-throttle band played a 75-minute set to a delighted sea of friends and families. Thirty- and forty-something fans danced with kids on their shoulders. Younger people crowdsurfed—courteously, if that's possible. In the street. While Mudhoney brought it. It was an experience, I believe, nearing what the church folks call "fellowship."

4. Pearl Jam returns home to KeyArena

It's become a tradition of sorts: Pearl Jam executes a tour without playing Seattle. (The Gorge doesn't count.) Then, when the city's feeling most neglected, the greatest band around gives us two incredible nights at KeyArena. This time, four years had passed and new factors played into the band's shows and Eddie Vedder's banter. New president. No basketball team. New album. The fresh enthusiasm and optimism found on that record, Backspacer, fired up both September shows, making each (rarity, fan favorite, and big hit-boasting) two-hour night yet another standout event. Hope the wait is shorter this time.

3. Nirvana’s records, Reading show get special treatment

Nirvana would have marked its 20th year in 2009 had things gone well for Kurt Cobain and the trio stayed together. (The odds weren't good.) Because of that, the band was remembered this year more than in many years past. Sub Pop reissued Nirvana's debut, Bleach, on 180g white vinyl and CD on November 3. (Both versions featured a previously unearthed 1990 Portland show.) On the same day, Geffen released the band's legendary 1992 Reading Festival performance on vinyl, CD, and DVD. A month later, Nevermind, In Utero, and the MTV Unplugged record were given the limited-run 180g treatment. That much-hyped Reading set, finally available for all to see, lived up to its praise; Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl were truly amazing—and obviously feeling it—that night. You have to believe there could have been many more like it.

2. Chris Cornell joins Pearl Jam for Temple of the Dog reunion

It was just for one song, "Hunger Strike," but when Chris Cornell joined Pearl Jam on LA's Gibson Amphitheater stage in October, Temple of the Dog was back. Formed in 1990 as a reaction to Mother Love Bone frontman Andy Wood's death, the band included Cornell and all of Pearl Jam's current members. (Drummer Matt Cameron was with Soundgarden at the time.) Temple of the Dog existed only briefly, putting out just one self-titled record in 1991. This four-minute alignment was the first since all the guys joined for two songs in 2003. When will it happen again?... (more)

The second single off Pearl Jam's new Backspacer album is a 180 from the first. Where (Grammy-nominated) "The Fixer" kicked our ass with seemingly uplifting verses—it's actually a cynical take on how men swear they can "fix" anything—and roaring riffs, "Just Breathe" soothes with its reflective, melancholic words, acoustic guitar, and string fills. Exhibit A:

That's PJ recently performing the song for Austin City Limits. Eddie's still got that intense, soul-bruising delivery, even when reserved. Stone, Jeff, Mike, and Matt still have that classic rock intensity, even when unplugged. Dare your lacrimal glands to stay dry. And your larynx to stay still.

As Clint mentioned earlier, Eddie Vedder popped onstage at the Showbox SoDo last night, to provide some backing vocals for Roger Daltrey. Thanks, YouTubers! Your promptness in posting is appreciated.

Turn your radio dial to 99.9 or 107.7 at lunch today and you’ll hear Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, and Matt Cameron discuss Pearl Jam’s evolving creative process.

Never before have Pearl Jam fans had such an up-close, in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes when Ed, Jeff, Matt, Mike and Stone are in the studio and on the road. Listen October 13th at noon and hear songs from the new Pearl Jam album, "Backspacer," and exclusive live material from Pearl Jam's summer tour last year. Plus, we'll take an inside look at the writing of the new songs on "Backspacer" and the making of the new album itself.

The band’s 60-minute airwaves assault is more than a plug for their new record, of course. The one-off show—and a related limited-edition t-shirt—will benefit the country’s leading hunger-relief charity, Feeding America. The organization expects proceeds to “translate to roughly 210,000 meals nationwide.” (The band donated $1 per ticket... (more)

Some digits you may or may not have added up after witnessing—or regrettably only hearing about—one or both of this week's legend-building Pearl Jam shows:

0 Beers allowed in KeyArena's bowl. Signs at all lower-level entrances proclaimed the venue's dryness. The irony of this wasn't lost on Eddie Vedder. Between encores on night two, he pointed out that when the Key was actually used as a sports arena, alcohol could be consumed anywhere. He recalled being in the audience for a Paul McCartney show, frustrated that the authorities apparently worried that alcohol and "All You Need is Love" was a dangerous combo.

1 Cigarettes lit and quickly puffed by Vedder during an extended PJ jam each night. Also the number of songs played from the band's early '00s Binaural ("Insignificance") and Riot Act ("Save You") records.

2 Eyes exposed on both nights by the normally bespectacled Stone Gossard. The guitarist's usual tight haircut was also eschewed for a late-'80s Steve Turner-style shaggy 'do. Check the cover of... (more)

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure hearing Pearl Jam's new record, Backspacer, in its entirety. I hastily took notes along with each song, trying to keep up with the album's punk-influenced pace. Around that time, The Globe and Mail's Brad Wheeler spoke with Eddie Vedder about every track on the band's lean album. Here's what I wrote about Pearl Jam's 11 new tracks spliced with Eddie's input. (Check out Wheeler's full story, too.)

"Gonna See My Friend"CB:
Starts with loud riff. Fast, peppy, hook-y vocals. Hard drum, not unlike Ten songs. Lot of cymbal. "I'm gonna see my friend/Make it go away" chorus. "I'm sick of everything/I'm gonna see my friend/make it go away." Vedder's vocal range runs gamut here—lower to high. No solos. Tight. Carries over energy from last album.