Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #1

 #1, OHANA FESTIVAL


FOUR!  Four shows in 2021.  That's what you got from Pearl Jam this year.  It's understandable, but we have been pining for live music (especially those of us in the US who have enjoyed an average two Pearl Jam shows a year from 2017 through 2020).

Next year things will change, but in 2021, nothing was more exciting than the three shows Pearl Jam played at Dana Point were easily the highlight of the year.  Festival shows are never a favorite of hardcore fans, but it was our [almost] first chance to hear "Gigaton" songs live.

Having them dig deep with such rarities as "Sweet Lew," "All Night," "Again Today," and "I Got Shit" really brightened everyone's experience, whether you were at the shows or watching fan clips via YouTube.

Will 2022 be the year that Pearl Jam plays a proper US tour?  Add in Europe and an Ed solo album, and we've got a lot to look forward to in just two days.





Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #2

 #2, FLAG DAY ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK


A retired Pearl Jam blogger recently asked me, "when you started doing this, did you ever expect to be reporting on Olivia Vedder news?"  I did not, and yet, here we are ... big news in the Pearl Jam world this year was all about Eddie's daughter Olivia and her impressive vocals on "My Father's Daughter" written by her father and Glen Hansard and featured on the soundtrack for Sean Penn's film, Flag Day.

The soundtrack was a bit uneven, but featured unquestionable gems by both Vedders, Hansard, and Cat Power, including a cover of REM's "Drive" by Eddie Vedder.  In a world where we've been desperate for any music by our favorite artists, this was as close to a Pearl Jam album as 2021 got.

You can try to hate this album because Olivia Vedder started a mini family legacy with it, but you'll love it in the end.  Pick up the album on vinyl or CD here.


Monday, December 27, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moment of 2021, #3

 #3, I SHOULD BE OUTSIDE


Among the members of Pearl Jam, Jeff Ament seems to be the most active during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting out a 7in single of two songs with his friend John Wicks, an political-themed EP, and now a full album of songs recorded at his studio in Montana.

After making the initial announcement, Ament used a new Instagram account to release pieces of his prolific painting portfolio to drum up interest and excitement, which definitely worked.  Fans were rabidly excited by release day, and "I Should Be Outside" is easily the best received of all of Jeff's solo albums.  Good enough, that for a time, it eclipsed any other Pearl Jam coverage, including the anniversaries of "Ten" (30 years) and "No Code" (25 years).

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #4

 #4, DEEP

Pearl Jam calls DEEP a Live Bootleg Immersive Experience.  We call it a web-based platform for accessing all of their available bootlegs.  Whether you have a flair for the dramatic or not, it's hard to argue that the introduction of DEEP (which coincided with Pearl Jam's bootleg collection becoming available on Spotify) wasn't a great boon for fans hoping to rock out at all hours of the day.

You can pick whichever show you'd like to hear, access playlists curated by the Fan Club, or make your own playlist with a Custom Setlist Generator.  The whole thing draws from 186 shows and 5,404 tracks, spanning tours from 2000, 2003, 2008, and 2013.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #5

 #5, STIP & THE SOLAT PODCAST


This year Jason and Paul of the State of Love and Trust podcast found an amazing guest for their amazing podcast in the form of TheSkyIScrape.com author, Brian Stipelman.  One could get lost in the minutia of our Red Mosquito Forum or the contest mastery of the only long-term Pearl Jam podcast out there, but Stip can handle it all.  Grab a download or a stream of the podcast and listen to Jason, Paul, and Brian wax poetic about:

Or, it's really a beautiful podcast.  If you're in need of some good listening, subscribe here and let it fly.

[failure to use "Given To Fly" in that last sentence, noted.]

Friday, December 24, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, Dishonorable Mention

 THE CLEAR NO CODE


This collectible didn't make our list this year.  Heck, we didn't even report on it when it happened.  However, it would be unfair to say it wasn't a "Pearl Jam Moment."  Pearl Jam tweeted about the availability of this 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Reissue of No Code at 1:09 pm ET on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021.  It was sold out about 5 minutes later.  

The vast majority of fans didn't even know this record existed until it was gone.  There is also significant debate on the necessity of pushing the album out onto two albums, since the original fits on one and still sounds great.  

The SkyIScrape.com was a little disappointed in this piece memoriabilia because it was available only to those who can sit at their computer all day with Twitter notifications on or those with $200-$400 to pick one up on eBay.  Why Pearl Jam didn't randomize these into shipments of the normal, black vinyl reissue that also came out this year, we will never understand, but we'll serve it up between #6 and #5, because ... well ... it happened.

Joy to The Haves!

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #6

 #6, RECORD STORE DAY


This being the 30th Anniversary of Pearl Jam's album, Ten, Pearl Jam opted to release their first single on a 12" vinyl single and cassette in celebration of Record Store Day, the day in April [sic] that all of the record industry pushes business to brick and mortar record stores.

With the vinyl, fans got:
The 12” features the original promo single version of “Alive” plus three rare b-sides: “Wash”, “Dirty Frank” and the Beatles’ cover “I’ve Got A Feeling”, which is currently not available anywhere else. All four tracks are included on side A while side B contains an etching of the band’s Stick Man logo.

Side A: 1. “Alive (promo single version)” 2. “Wash” 3. “I’ve Got A Feeling” 4. “Dirty Frank”
Side B: Etching
With the cassette, fans got: 
The “Alive” cassette single is a replica of the promo cassette that was originally used around the album’s release. It includes the promo single version of “Alive” plus “Wash” and “I’ve Got A Feeling”, repeated on both sides.

Side A: 1. “Alive (promo single version)” 2. “Wash” 3. “I’ve Got A Feeling”
Side B: Repeat Side A program
Worth a trip out to your favorite record store for sure.



Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #7

 #7, VAULT #1 ON VINYL


Ten years after kicking off their Vault program at the PJ20 Destination Weekend with a CD of their show at Moore Theater in 1992, Pearl Jam surprised fans last month with a vinyl release of that show.  Still missing the Baba O'Riley closer, but apparently that can't be helped.

Fan Club members had a chance to snatch this one up, and they did so quickly.  For those of you missing out, hopefully it will end up in the bootleg section.




Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #8

 #8, 4TH OF JULY by PAINTED SHIELD


Painted Shield, Stone Gossard's side project band with Mason Jennings, Josh Freese, Brittany Davis, and Matt Chamberlain, released a video this year, just ahead of the Independence Day holiday, and less than a year after their debut album release.  

They have us thinking that a new album is underway at Loosegroove Records, and given how great the first album sounded, we can't wait!



Monday, December 20, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #9

#9, JOSH KLINGHOFFER


At the See.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park, Pearl Jam introduced their newest bandmember, road guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer.  The former member of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist will be joining the band on stage for the foreseeable future.

He is also an official member of Eddie Vedder's band, The Earthlings, which will be hitting the road this February in support of his latest solo album, Earthling.

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Top Ten Pearl Jam Moments of 2021, #10

#10, FUNKO POP! FIGURINES


Fans have been begging for Pearl Jam action figures for a very long time, and in 2021, they finally got their wish ... times two.

In 2021, Pearl Jam partnered with Funko to commission two sets of Pearl Jam vinyl figurines: one set of the band in their classic 1990's look and a second set of glow-in-the-dark, zombie figurines exclusive to the Pearl Jam fan club in celebration of Halloween.

"Life-sized" versions even made an appearance at the Ohana Encore.


Shortly thereafter, fans did what fans do ...

Monday, December 13, 2021

Eddie Vedder Adds a Second Chicago Show


 After a weekend of disappointed fans, Eddie Vedder has announced a second Chicago date for himself and his back-up band, The Earthlings.  The second show will be on February 10th, also at the Auditorium Theatre (is that really the name?).

Click here for ticket information.


Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Eddie Vedder's 2022 Earthlings Tour Announcement


Pearl Jam announced that Eddie Vedder will be touring in February 2022, and fan club members can enter the pre-sale today.  He'll be playing eight dates on the East Coast, West Coast, and Chicago backed by Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam), Chris Chaney (Janes Addiction), Andrew Watt (Earthling's producer), and Glen Hansard (who is also the opening act). Check the dates below, and click here for more ticketing information.

February 3 | New York, NY | Beacon Theatre
February 4 | New York, NY | Beacon Theatre
February 6 | Newark, NJ | NJPAC
February 9 | Chicago, IL | Auditorium Theatre
February 15 | San Diego, CA | The Magnolia
February 17 | Los Angeles, CA | YouTube Theatre
February 21 | Seattle, WA | Benaroya Hall
February 22 | Seattle, WA | Benaroya Hall

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Earthling Coming February 11th, Presale on Now


Some of us got in a little early yesterday, but Eddie Vedder's new album, "Earthling," is officially available for purchase at the Ten Club.  The release date is February 11, 2022, but vinyl, cassette, and deluxe, "casemade book" versions will most likely not ship on that date.

Vedder promises "special guest artists" throughout the album, but no word yet on who those are or a tracklist.

For now, we'll have to be satisfied with the new single, "The Haves."
 

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Stone Gossard Live at The Moore

Pearl Jam has announced that guitarist, Stone Gossard, will be performing at the SMASH Benefit: Songs of Hope show on Saturday, November 20th at the Moore Theatre in Seattle.

Proceeds help fund healthcare for local musicians.

Pre-Order Earthling


Eddie Vedder's solo album, Earthling, is now available for pre-order at the Ten Club.  Expect more details later, because there is no announcement, no tweet, no release date, and no artwork.  However, we do know you can get it as a Soft Pack CD ($15), a Deluxe CD ($20), a cassette ($10), or an LP ($30).

Details on the deluxe version are hopefully coming soon.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

North American Tour Soon!

No the most updatey of updates, but Pearl Jam has given us the heads up that they'll be back, touring North American in May of 2022.

Thank you, Pearl Jam fans, for your patience and flexibility as we have waited to reschedule the band’s postponed 2020 North American tour.

We are confirming that the previously scheduled shows in North America will start in May 2022. We are working to finalize the details of the new tour schedule and will announce the dates early next year.

For nearly two years, the band has wanted nothing more than to play their new music live for you. The whole Pearl Jam team shares your excitement for us all to be safely on the road again together.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Lost Dogs Turns 18

 


Vault #1 (Moore Theater 11/17/1992) on Vinyl!

Today, Pearl Jam announced the vinyl release of their first ever Vault series album.  Originally, the album was only available on CD to attendees at Pearl Jam's PJ20 Destination Weekend.  Now Fan Club members can pre-order the show from 1992 at the Moore Theater on vinyl.

It costs $45 (plus $15.49 domestic S&H) and is available here.



Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Long Way Racing Game


In anticipation of Ed's album, "Earthling," Pearl Jam has released a game based on the song, "Long Way," and playing will unlock snippets of the album.  You can play here, and keep your fingers crossed for a release date and/or pre-sale tomorrow!

Race and go the Long Way. Collect guitars and ukuleles and avoid road cases. Keep racing to unlock new levels and submit your high score to the leaderboard!"

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Video: Long Way (Live at Ohana / 2021)


Eddie Vedder released the pro-shot video of his Ohana performance of "Long Way," the lead single off of his upcoming album, Earthling. He was backed live by Chad Smith, Pino Palladino, Josh Klingoffer, Andrew Watt, and Glen Hansard with a brief appearance from his daughter, Olivia Vedder, who, by the way, you can watch in the video below of her performance of "My Father's Daughter" from the Flag Day Soundtrack.
 



Wednesday, November 3, 2021

State of Love and Trust, featuring TSIS's Own, Stip

 


The State of Love and Trust Podcast has called in our writer, Stip, another time to discuss Vs.

Jason and Paul are joined once again by the legend of The Sky I Scrape & Red Mosquito forums, Stip! The guys discuss whether or not Vs. is the band's most definitive album and its place in the band's catalog. All that and the Lyric and Live Cut of the Week - Go.
Check out their latest episode Here.

Monday, September 27, 2021

The FLB 1991 or The TEN Pedal

Funny Little Boxes, a pedal builder in the UK, has released a new pedal, the FLB 1991, designed specifically to capture the sound of Pearl Jam's album, Ten.

Watch as Andy shows you all the things the pedal can do.

The 1991 is a dirt pedal that will provide everything from sparkly clean boost to face-melting distortion and has been specifically designed to capture the spirit and prevalent sound of the awesome music released in 1991," says Funny Little Boxes. "The overarching aim was to capture the sound of the Ten album by Pearl Jam and the blue print for the sound is a mid forward drive pedal being pushed into a cranked, high gain amplifier.

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Pearl Jam's Ohana Merch


Pearl Jam tweeted out the graphic of all of their merchandise for the Ohana Festival.  Items include Ohana-specific items, Pearl Jam's feminism collection that was on sale in Jersey, and several accessories that have been on sale at the Ten Club website from the Gigaton release.

Their Merch Stand opens at 10am tomorrow outside the venue.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Stip Back on State of Love and Trust Podcast


 Will Jason and Paul start paying Stip for his work on their podcast?  That's a question that doesn't get asked in Episode 73 because the discussion sticks to the legacy of No Code.  Listen here.
Jason and Paul are joined once again by Stip from The Sky I Scrape / Red Mosquito to discuss the legacy of the songs of No Code. But first the guys react to the first live Pearl Jam concert in over three years from the Sea.Hear.Now festival. All that and the Lyric and Live Cut of the Week - Off He Goes.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Live on 14 Legs


 If you were at Saturday night's Asbury Park show you know that Pearl Jam has added a new touring guitarist, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, Josh Kinghoffer, who was left without a band when RHCP's original guitarist, John Frusciante returned to the band.

With touring keyboardist, Boom Gaspar, this brings the size of Pearl Jam up to seven members and opens up the opportunity for some exciting new arrangements of Pearl Jam's songs.

Friday, September 17, 2021

Forgotten Boardwalk Brewery Releases Four Pearl Jam-Themed Beers

 

In celebration of Pearl Jam's performance tomorrow night in Asbury Park, local brewery, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Company has release four beers themed after Pearl Jam songs with cans designed by artist, Local Summer, in Cherry Hill.

Look for First to the Jaw, an IPA; Cigar Box on the Floor, a smoked porter; Don't Go On Me, a golden ale; and Lemon Yellow Sun, a wheat beer.