Zack Newman: Superfan

I can't really figure out why Pearl Jam is only just now turning us onto Zack Newman at SPIN Earth.  He appears to have followed the full 2009 tour through the US thus far.  Maybe they did, and I'm too tired to find the evidence.  Still ... the video blog is here for you to enjoy.

Zack will be trading tickets for rides, places to stay and other necessities... like food.



So if you see him, make sure to say "hi!". And for the first time, we're inviting all you PJ fanatics to contribute directly to the feature by uploading your photos, video and analysis. In the end, they just may be seen by the grunge godfathers themselves. Tour starts soon, so grow your hair out, clean up your tattoos, button up your flannel, and be sure to watch the above video for the scoop on Pearl Jam's newest album Backspacer.

Hannity Unimpressed with Pearl Jam's Activism

Following the announcement that Pearl Jam and several other artists have joined a coalition calling for the closing of Guantanamo, Eddie Vedder and Michael Stripe were skewered by Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Some left-wing musicians are not happy that President Obama has yet to fulfill his campaign promise to close Gitmo.



Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam are among the artists who announced that they have joined a group known as the National Campaign to Close Guantanamo.



But shutting Gitmo's doors is not their only goal. They have also filed a request to gain access to the list of songs that were used during the interrogation process at the facility. According to the AP, the musicians want to find out if any of their songs were used.



I guess they're just looking for their royalties.

PearlJamTour.tv, Episode Eleven

Episode Eleven: The Lineup Connection is now available on Pearljamtour.tv.







The discussion continues here.

Pearl Jam Joins the Close Gitmo Now Campaign

Today, NewSecurityAction.org has announced that several high profile musicians have signed onto their Close Gitmo Now campaign.  I know Pearl Jam's pretty busy, but could we hope for some Close Gitmo concerts?  Wouldn't it suck if you wrote some music with which you were really happy and then you found out that someone decided that your music was a good way to torture people?  Anyhow, here's more:

Despite what Dick Cheney would have us believe, the torture of detainees at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and elsewhere has been well documented. Even Susan Crawford, the Bush Administration’s top official for reviewing practices at Guantanamo has admitted that torture happened there.



Among the types of torture condoned and practiced by the Bush Administration was the use of music in ways the artists themselves never intended. Spin Magazine has reported that "the military is attempting to break down Muslim prisoners by bombarding them with ear-splitting rap and metal," and now the musicians are fighting back. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine - both of whose music we know was used to torture - and the nearly 20 musicians listed below have endorsed our campaign to Close Gitmo Now and our effort seeking the declassification of government documents on music-related abuses.



The use of music as no-touch torture at Guantanamo is nothing new. In fact, most of the abuses we've become far too familiar with - hooding detainees, stress positions, sexual humiliation, exposure to extremes of hot and cold, light and dark, sound and silence - are part of a comprehensive arsenal of techniques first institutionalized in the CIA's cryptically named KUBARK manual from 1963. Human Rights First revealed in their 2006 report "No blood, No foul" how music was used in psychologically breaking detainees as part of the Bush/Cheney "War on Terror." The pseudonymously named Nick, a former prison guard at the Forward Operating Base Tiger near al-Qaim, Iraq described:



So, typical first time interrogation consisted of some kind of heavy metal music really loud, strobe light, lot of yelled questions and stuff like that, until they finally would break down and cry and say "I don't know anything, I don't know anything!" ... He's on his knees, usually a rifle pointed at him, strobe light going, music going, whatever. Then the guys sitting at the desk asking him questions directly. It was always yelling at that point-you had to, in order to hear [over the music].



Outraged over these tactics and the thought that their music might have been used to torture has compelled a growing list of artists to act. Encouraged by the the unequivocal call to end torture and close Guantanamo by President Obama and respected military leaders like former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, they've courageously spoken out. Join them by signing the open letter to Congress. It's time to close Gitmo now.

All That's Sacred, Episode #23

Episode #23 is now available.

As promised, on episode #23 we are playing listener-suggested songs from past Camden, NJ shows to gear up for this 4 night stand in Philly. Seeing as how there is not too much going on this week, I decided to take this episode off from the commentary. Most of the song suggestions didn't come with any stories or memories and once I started putting it together, it just felt natural to make it a sonic snapshot of the band's Camden performances since 2000. So it's bit like a live mixed tape and I actually thought it came together pretty well -- very reminiscent of what we did on #10. Thanks to all of you who wrote me recently – especially with these Philly and Camden suggestions!



On #24 next week, we’ll be revisiting those Philly tracks as Pearl Jam will be right in the middle of their epic run to close the Spectrum. Also, don’t forget we have episode #25 after that dedicated to some of Ed’s better rants over the years accompanied with some aggressive live music. I’ve got a growing list but if you have anything to contribute for either of those shows, please shoot me an email or message me on Facebook or Twitter.



Let the Philly party begin! Sure wish I could be there with you all. Take care of your neighbors and have a blast!

Then head to our forums to discuss it!

Got Some/Just Breathe

Everyone's been yammering on about this being the next single.  It's being called a "double A-side."  Even those who claim to know what that means seem to be just guessing, but it apparently has something to do with both songs getting lots of airplay.  Anyhow, there's been no official announcement, but I would call this picture final confirmation that the rumors are true, although I really wish the owners had pulled that dumb CD out enough for us to see the words "Just Breathe."  What can I say?  I'm a skeptic.

 

The discussion continues here.

Pearl Jam Bootleg Blackberry App

This is a very limited release, and the band doesn't really tell us what a more expanded release would look like.  Frankly, I'm not really sure the point of this when you can get mp3s, flacs, and CDs from 10C at will.  Maybe there's some marketing advantage that my feeble mind cannot comprehend, but I guess it's news none-the-less.

PJ and the Ten Club are further expanding their bootleg program to accommodate mobile devices. We’re starting out small, with the new Pearl Jam mobile bootleg app available Verizon BlackBerry(r) Tour(tm) customers.

To get it, Tour customers text “PJ” to “5509" (standard messaging rates apply). For those of you who have this type of phone, let us know what you think of the bootleg app. We always like hearing your feedback.

Remember, you can still enjoy all of the 2009 and 2008 bootlegs here atpearljam.com. MP3 downloads at 256K for $9.99 a show. Lossless FLAC downloads for $14.99 and made-to-order double (in some cases triple) disc sets for $16.98 with free shipping in the U.S.

Pearl Jam on PBS NewsHour

Tuesday on the NewsHour, Jeffrey Brown reports on Austin City Limits as the PBS music program celebrates its 35th anniversary year -- making it the longest running music series in American television history. We'll post his report here later this evening.



[On their pbs.org], you can watch extended interviews with Austin City Limits executive producer Terry Lickona and musician Carolyn Wonderland, and performances by Ben Harper and the Relentless7, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band and Johnny Cash from his legendary 1987 show.



Also, be sure to check out Austin City Limits online, where you can watch many more performances from that famous wooden stage. And as always, check your local listings for when Austin City Limits airs in your area.

Pearl Jam/Soundgarden Tour 2010?

The Grunge Report has been scouring forums, and apparently, Soundgarden's recent appearances at Pearl Jam shows have spurred some whispers.  Me?  Meh, I'll wait until Ice Cube and the Red Hot Chili Peppers sign on before I get excited.

I know some will rip on me for reporting this as a story but a lot of people don’t have time to scour forums like I do so I thought I would let everybody know.  According to some posts on the PearlJam.com forums and Download Festival forums that Eddie Vedder has said at a few recent Pearl Jam shows, “This will be our last time playing here for awhile.”  Some have speculated this is because Pearl Jam will do limited touring in mid 2010 with Matt Cameron possibly playing with a reunited Soundgarden.  This makes a lot of sense to me since the four Soundgarden guys were hanging out together a couple of weeks ago at Pearl Jam’s LA show and with the recent rumors of Soundgarden possibly playing the Download Festival.  Nothing is concrete or confirmed at this point but things seem to be looking up.

Autographed Flying V

 Ten Club reports:

 

Autographed Flying V up for auction here. Help raise money for Wishlist Foundation. This auction package, benefiting Pearl Jam’s various supported charities, includes;

 

* One Gibson “Flying V” electric guitar with a white pick guard and worn-cherry finish, includes gig bag

* Guitar autographed by Pearl Jam: Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Matt Cameron and additionally Boom Gaspar

* One Pearl Jam swag bag filled with goodies

* One Pearl Jam poster

This Gibson “Flying V” guitar with worn-cherry finish and white pick guard is autographed by grunge icons Pearl Jam; Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Matt Cameron and additionally Boom Gaspar. This guitar is an amazing piece for any guitar collector!

The guitar was signed by the illustrious rock luminaries at the Flight to Mars May 2, 2009 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) fundraiser concert at the Showbox in Seattle. Joining Flight to Mars at this special event was former Guns N’ Roses legendary bassist Duff McKagan and his band Loaded, a surprise appearance by Stone Gossard and Mike McCready's original band Shadow '86, who performed a tribute to Seattle rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

Bid now at Charitybuzz.com

 

PearlJamTour.tv, Episode Ten

Episode Ten: Liam Finn is now available on Pearljamtour.tv.







The discussion continues here.

Spin Magazine's Pearl Jam Issue

 In case finding out that Pearl Jam was on the cover wasn't enough to make you go out and buy the last issue of Spin Magazine, the entire article is now available via their on-line reader.

All That's Sacred, Episode #22

Episode #22 is now available.

Not a whole lot of new news to report and so we are going to take the opportunity to get caught up on some awesome listener requests on episode#22. I make mention of it on the podcast, but I also wanted to reiterate my gratitude here to all of you for your incredible suggestions for the upcoming Philly and rant episodes. I’ve gotten a HUGE response and as a result, I think we are going to have to do 2 episodes dedicated to the 4 night stand in Philly! 



Next week on #23, we are featuring music from past Camden, NJ performances (almost Philly). Then the following week on episode #24, we will feature requests from past Philadelphia performances with the podcast falling right in the middle of the run to close the doors on the Spectrum. Considering the significance of the occasion and considering how Pearl Jam wrapped the western leg of the tour, it’s sure to be an epic event! I hope the podcast can help amp the lucky ones in some small way.

Then head to our forums to discuss it!

Update on Radio Takeover

Members of the Ten Club woke up to this news in their inbox.  It's an update on Pearl Jam's radio show today and includes information about where us non-Seattlites can catch the show and an opportunity to get some bonus material by donating to Feeding America.

 

Feeding America is excited to announce that Pearl Jam has produced an exclusive one-hour radio special to be aired on Entercom radio stations Tuesday, October 13th at 12:00 pm PDT in conjunction with the launch of the new Feeding America PSA. Markets and stations set to air the broadcast include WAAF (Boston), WTPT (Greenville), KQRC and KRBZ (Kansas City), WMMM (Madison), WKBU (New Orleans), KNRK (Portland), WBZA and WCMF (Rochester), KRXQ (Sacramento) and in the band's hometown on KISW and KNDD in Seattle. Please visit www.Pearjamradiotakeover.com to donate, for bonus material from the show and to sign up for a trip to see Pearl Jam in Philldelphia.

 

The Pearl Jam/Feeding America radio special will be made available to national audiences October 14th - 18th through the following Westwood One stations: WRXP (New York), WKQX (Chicago), KITS (San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose), WWDC (Washington, DC), WRIF (Detroit), KXXR (Minneapolis - St. Paul), (WHDR Miami - Ft. Lauderdale), WKRK (Cleveland-Akron), KPNT (St. Louis), WEND (Charlotte), WRZX (Indianapolis), WCHH (Baltimore), XTRA (San Diego), WRQQ (Nashville), WFTK (Cincinnati), WWMM (Birmingham), WQXA (Harrisburg), KXTE (Las Vegas), WSFX (Wilkes Barre), WXZZ (Lexington), WXEG (Dayton), WZNN (Green Bay-Appleton), WEBX (Champaign-Springfield-Decatur), KRNA (Cedar Rapids), KRZQ (Reno), KKTX (Tyler), WWCT (Peoria-Bloomington), KNRQ (Eugene), KQWB (Fargo-Valley City), KJEE (Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo), KATS Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick), WSFM (Wilmington), KBAZ (Missoula)WNNX (Atlanta), WRKR (Kalamazooand) and WOUR (Utica). (Please check your local channel listings for exact date and time.)

To aid Feeding America in their important efforts, Pearl Jam has also created a special limited-edition Backspacer t-shirt in conjunction with eco-friendly clothing company, Loomstate. Designed by famed cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, T-shirts are available now at select Target locations and at target.com. Feeding America anticipates that the $30,000 donation from Pearl Jam and Loomstate from the sale of these shirts will translate to roughly 210,000 meals nation-wide.

In addition to the t-shirt partnership, Pearl Jam donated $1 per paid ticket from their two, sold-out hometown shows to Seattle Feeding America affiliate, Food Lifeline. Target matched this donation.

Feeding America is able to provide seven (7) meals for every dollar donated, to over 36 million Americans who are currently facing hunger. For more information on Feeding America, please visit feedingamerica.org.

 

Merchandise Update

There are quite a few new items popping up in Pearl Jam's Goods Section.

• By the end of the week, all of the shows through LA4 will be available for download and burn-to-order CD (per 10C e-mail).
• There is a shirt and a Sigg water bottle with the "Built to Last" logo.
• The 10C e-mail tells me that they've added a new "Ten of Clubs" hoodie and t-shirt and a Backspacer onesie.  They're pictured below, but as of this posting, I don't see them in the Goods section.  We'll just figure that they're coming soon.