ROCKLINE AN INTERVIEW WITH PEARL JAM
OCTOBER 18, 1993
Live via satellite from Seattle, ROCKLINE and Rolling Stone Magazine present a very special evening with Pearl Jam. And you, one on one. How ya doing? I'm Steve Downs.
Tonight, ROCKLINE is very proud to be in Seattle, home of long time ROCKLINE affiliate KISW to give you the opportunity to speak with Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament of hometown heros Pearl Jam. So get your questions ready for the guys and call us toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK. Thats 1-800-344-7625. One number toll-free from anywhere in the United States, Canada and tonight Australia.
It would be very tempting to wax endlessly about the multi platinum success of Pearl Jam in the two years since their release of Ten. The sell-out concerts, the massive radio play, the MTV Awards, the band of the 90s, etc. But it would seem that is not was this band is all about. Pearl Jam is about the music and perhaps the people who listen to it vs. the hype, the publicity, the videos and the adoration. So let me simply say that tonight we offer the broadcast premier of Pearl Jam's second album. Its called Vs. It will be in the stores tomorrow. A Pearl Jam tour starts October 28th at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. And it is a true pleasure to welcome back to ROCKLINE lead vocalist Eddie Vedder.
Yo, Eddie!
GUEST You are going to have to call me Mr. Vedder! Id like some respect!
HOST Mr. Vedder! His first ROCKLINE appearance tonight, Bass Guitarist, Jeff Ament. Hi Jeff!
GUEST Hi! How are ya?
HOST Good to have you guys here. Congratulations on the new record. When you did Ten the band had very few live performances at that time going into the recording of that album. How do you think two years of touring affected the recording of Vs?
GUEST It took us less takes to actually record the songs this time around. That was one huge thing. Were professionals now!
HOST I see! Thank you Mr. Vedder! Did you record the album live?
GUEST It was all one take actually. We did many days where wed play the whole album all the way through. Just every day wed play the whole record all the way through and then about 12 days wed pick the best days. It was a Wednesday, actually.
HOST Well, it certainly sounds like you picked the best day as the folks will hear tonight. The album takes off like a shot with the first track and I think this was one of the first tracks you wrote and or recorded perhaps for Vs?
GUEST I have no recollection!
HOST It could be and yet again perhaps not. But were going to check it out. From the new album Vs this is Pearl Jam and GO on ROCKLINE.
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HOST Thats Go. The brand new album . The first track off the new album by Pearl Jam. Vs on ROCKLINE. The only national radio show that gives you the chance to talk to the biggest names in rock n roll. Tonight is certainly proof of that. Were in Seattle live with Eddie and Jeff from Pearl Jam. So nows the time to get on the phone and call our toll-free number 1-800-344-ROCK. Thats 1-800-344-7625.
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We are back with a very special ROCKLINE tonight. Live from Seattle and its time to welcome a brand new station into the ROCKLINE family.
Joining us tonight for the very first time are the folks listening to us up in Canada on CHTM in Thompson, Manitoba. We look forward to hearing from you folks tonight and every Monday night. And also joining us tonight we will be broadcasting all the way to Australia via the Triple M Network as part of this evening. Eddie and Jeff are in the studio here. And were going to go to the calls right now. We go to Appleton, Wisconsin to Andy listening to us on WAPL in Appleton. Andy, say hello to Eddie and Jeff, youre on ROCKLINE with Pearl Jam!
CALLER Hi Eddie. Hi Jeff.
GUEST Hi! Hey!
CALLER I was wondering if knowing each others musical style made it easier to record the new album?
GUEST Yeah! Cause we know each other better now. Wed didnt know each other very well before. I think maybe its good to play with people you dont know. Weve played with some musicians that wed never picked up instruments together before the other night was one of the greatest things I've ever heard. You should play with strangers, you should play with friends, you just play. Thas the key. But did it make this one easier? I dont know. If you can write a good song thats what makes it easy. You gotta play to the song.
HOST Thank you Andy for the call. Were going to take it to Wooster, Massachusetts now listening to us on WAAF, 107.3 is Cindy, calling from Townsend, Massachusetts. Cindy, youre on ROCKLINE.
CALLER Hi Jeff! Hi Eddie!
GUEST Hi! Hello!
CALLER I was just wondering why you decided to release Vs on vinyl a week before you released it on CD?
GUEST Viva la vinyl! Do you have a record player, Cindy?
CALLER Yes I do.
GUEST So you use it and stuff still?
CALLER Yup!
GUEST Cause not all records come out on vinyl anymore. Lots of stores dont carry vinyl anymore. And our first record didnt come out on vinyl so I think that might have had something to do with actually being in a position to make sure that it came out in vinyl this time. And it sounds way better. If you A-B your CD player next to your record player youll find that records sound a lot warmer and more human. Theyre cooler to hold in your hands too. And they smell. They have a smell. If you go into an old used record store it smells. Like books. Where the new record stores with just the CDs they dont really smell. Smells like chemicals. It just stinks.
HOST And you can see the album artwork a lot better, too cause its a lot bigger.
GUEST What are we gonna do when this scoopman, these new digital micro-cassettes are the main format. What are they gonna do. By that time no one will pay attention to lyrics. You wont need to print them.
HOST Lets hope that doesnt happen. Cindy, thanks for the call. Were going to take it down South to Rock 105 in Charleston, West Virginia. We have Sean listening to us there. Is that Lucia, Kentucky? Youre on ROCKLINE.
CALLER Hey guys! How would you describe the music on your new album?
GUEST We wouldnt. Wed listen to it. Or tell you to listen to it. I dont know? How would you describe it? Have you heard it?
CALLER No. I havent heard it yet.
GUEST: Well, someday youll be able to go out there and just try. Its weird, you know, about music. Thats the strange thing about doing interviews and talking about it. Thats why we picked a beautiful art form like music. All your thoughts and emotions they come out much clearer and much more intense when coupled with music. All this talk about it. There shouldnt be so much talk. People act like they know about all these bands. But its just from what they read. They dont even listen to them anymore. And they take everyones word. Whatever is printed seems like gospel. I dont know. Youre interpretation is the most important one. And whenever I try to explain a record that I really really like to somebody like if I just bought a record, like the new Liz Phair record, like if I was gonna explain what it sounded like I could never really explain it. I always end up getting caught up and stuttering something and then I say just go buy it cause its really cool.
HOST By the way, youll be able to do that tomorrow. The CD and the cassette will be in the stores.
GUEST Tonight at midnight!
HOST 12:01! Thats very true. And in Australia it could already be out cause its already tomorrow. Thank you Sean for the call. Were going to take another call right now in Orlando, Florida listening to us on ROCK 100 WDIZ is Chris. Youre on with Eddie and Jeff from Pearl Jam Chris!
CALLER Eddie! Jeff! Good to talk to you tonight.
GUEST Hey! Youre not a racist, are you?
CALLER Not at all. Not at all. My question was what kind of pressure, if any, did you get from CBS this time around. Did they harp on you guys at all and also, how hard is it to keep your creative authority within the band?
GUEST There is no problem with it at all. We havent heard a thing from our record company other than how nice we are. How good we are. And all those sorts of things. Do you think wed really listen to someone elses opinion? Theres enough opinions in this band! How about you. If you were making a record would you let them kind of pick the artwork or tell you what song...
CALLER No. No. Thats why I like you guys so much cause I definitely believe that what comes out is from the heart.
GUEST Thats the exciting thing about being in a band or making music or playing live on any level you have like a you know, its all yours. Youre independent of anybody and that is the thing that does. Youre right, it does get threatened getting to these different levels. Because, you cant deny the fact that it means money to some people. But, if you let that effect the art then thats going to effect everything including their money. So, I think they know to kind of let us do things on our own and we did all the things we made the decisions on the first record and it was successful so I guess we earned the right to do it our way now.
HOST Thanks Chris for the call. Tonight on ROCKLINE all the music that we will hear will be from the new album Vs. and were going to play a cut right now called Glorified G. I was wondering if you could kind of set us up on this. I think this has some very interesting things to say musically as well as lyrically on this cut.
GUEST I didnt write this song. I heard it. Someone was talking in a room. I just wrote down everything they said.
HOST Wow! On ROCKLINE from the new album Vs this is Pearl Jam and Glorified G.
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HOST Its the broadcast premier of the new album by Pearl Jam. Vs. were live from Seattle tonight with Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament on ROCKLINE. Back to the phones we go to Redding, California. Mike is listening to us on 93 dot 9 in Chico. Youre on ROCKLINE Mike.
CALLER Right on! Hows it going guys?
GUEST Good!
CALLER My question I got was on Temple of the Dog, Times of Trouble. I noticed it was just about the same exact music as Footsteps. And I wanted to know which one you guys writ first and you know...
GUEST Writ or wrote?
CALLER Wrote, excuse me.
GUEST Is your teacher listening tonight!
CALLER (laughing) If she is shes rolling over!
GUEST Which did we do first? The Footsteps version was first. The tape that Eddie got of the Stones songs and at the very same time we were putting together the Temple of the Dog thing and Chris heard that song and really really liked it and semi-rearranged it to fit some words that he had and consequently there were two versions that were being worked on at the very same time. So, Footsteps was first but we didnt really follow through with it cause it ended up on the Temple record. Hey, Mike. You ever put those three songs together? You probably read about it ,Alive?
CALLER Yeah. I appreciate it guys. One more question. Are you guys planning on going to Reno on the tour anytime?
GUEST Oh yea. Were going to be a week in Reno I think. You want backstage passes?
HOST Eddie, you brought up the thing about putting the three songs together, of which, I believe, Footsteps was the final part of that story.
GUEST Yeah. Yeah. We played it actually on this radio program and we played it and expected someone to put it all together and make a B-Movie about it. Cause it had all the good B-movie things. Incest and murder. Its all right there for you.
HOST Thats right. I believe thats the only recorded version of Footsteps was done on ROCKLINE here last year.
GUEST Well, I got my 4-tack version.
HOST Thats true. Hey, Mike. Thanks a lot for the call and yes, Pearl Jam will be in Reno on the 2nd of December at the Lawyler Events Center. And well have some other dates to give you here in terms of the upcoming Pearl Jam Tour. Were going to take our first call now from Australia. And we have David listening to us on the Triple-M Network down under. Hey, David!
CALLER Goodday! How are ya?
GUEST Great!
HOST Youre on ROCKLINE.
CALLER I wanted to ask the guys how they find touring with Neil Young through Europe and America?
GUEST Im happy to finally have an adult in my life that leads by example. Ive had some crazy adults in my life and its about time I got one that inspires me. His whole band. Very, very quiet leadership like all the way around. Probably the most inspiring thing that weve ever been involved in in terms of just watching every night and not really talking about it, just kind of taking it in. So I hope you get a chance to do it someday.
HOST And talk about a guy in Neil Young who has certainly taken his share of chances musically over his career. There are very few stones hes left unturned musically. Which I think is somewhat of a rarity. Hey, thanks for the call there David, and we hope to hear from some more folks down in Australia tonight which would be a lot of fun. Live from Seattle tonight with Eddie and Jeff from Pearl Jam and the broadcast premier of the new album Vs. on the Global Satellite Network.
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Welcome back. Tonight were here in Seattle with Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament in the broadcast premier of the brand new Pearl Jam CD called Vs. We have another tune here we want to play. It has a great acoustic feel to it. It is called Daughter on ROCKLINE.
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HOST Its Rockline tonight with Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam and the broadcast premier of the brand new album, Vs. That was a track called Daughter. We got a ton of calls to get to, so lets get going here. Well take it to St. Louis. KSHE95 is the station. Kathleens listening to us. Youre on ROCKLINE with Pearl Jam, Kathleen.
CALLER Hi Eddie! Hi Jeff!
GUEST Hi!
CALLER Its funny. You guys just played the song Daughter. And thats what I wanted to ask you about. What inspired you to write that?
GUEST Im not going to answer that. Its a good question, though. No offense. Have you got another one? Where are you again?
CALLER Im in St. Louis.
GUEST Thats a strange town, huh?
CALLER Huh?
GUEST I was kinda wondering if we could ask you a question. If, since the floods, we havent really heard anything about St. Louis because its not news, obviously. Thats the way the media works, but I was wondering what was going on there in terms of the flood situation.
CALLER I just know that the water is down I guess and the homes, people still out of their homes cause of the electricity and gas just being ruined.
GUEST And everyones feet make that really weird nose when they walk. Did you have a daughter?
CALLER What?
GUEST Do you have a daughter, Kathleen?
CALLER No. I have a son, actually.
GUEST Oh... Thats good.
HOST I think Daughter will be left to your interpretation, Katheleen. And thanks for the call. Were going to go to Indio, California and Robert who is listening to us on 93 KCLB in Palm Springs. Youre on ROCKLINE Robert.
CALLER Hello Jeff and Eddie!
GUEST Hello. Whats your question?
CALLER Ive been following your careers forever. I caught the first and last Lalopalooza shows at Shoreline in Irvine. Youre coming to my hometown on November 5th, strangely enough pop culture as it were, hits the Coachella Valley. What I wanted to know was what brings you guys out here 2 1/2 hour drive from LA as opposed to playing say a larger venue in the metropolitan area?
GUEST Okay, you know. Raise your hand. Do this with me. Raise your hand like youre trying to get the teachers attention.
CALLER All right.
GUEST I know you didnt do that when you were young. You were hoping they didnt call you. But if you raise your hand and make a fist, up there on top is Washington, Seattle, around your wrist, were looking at the West Coast here now. Get it! Around your wrist is Oregon, around your elbow is the capitol, Sacramento. Right around your armpit is Los Angeles. So were going to go in a little bit and play the nipple or something like that. Indio, is that where were playing?
HOST Yup. November 5th Indio.
GUEST So well see you there.
HOST We have some other dates to pass along here. I think if Sacramento would be the elbow then I guess San Francisco would be somewhere in the forearm. But youll be in San Francisco. The tour opens there on the 28th in Whitfield.
GUEST And were playing with a gentlemen in San Francisco whose albums...we wont tell you his name. But it will be a little riddle for you. You can look up his name by his albums, Family Butt and Human Man. Thats who well be playing with in San Francisco.
HOST October 30th at the Events Center in San Jose, California. On the 31st, Halloween, at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. November 2nd and 3rd at the Civic Theatre in San Diego and then on the 5th in Indio, California. And well have some more dates to pass along there to you in just a bit.
GUEST And in San Diego were playing with bands whose records are called Everclear and Mercury. Next ones going to be called Urethane. Amazing band. A tribute to your first skateboard. Maybe my favorite band.
HOST Great. Look forward to it. Were going to go to Houston, Texas now. 101 KLOL. Warren is listening to us in Houston. Youre on ROCKLINE with Eddie and Jeff.
CALLER Good evening Eddie. Good evening Jeff.
GUEST Good evening to you, sir!
CALLER Yeah, first I wanna say I love you guys music. I got all your import stuff and is there anyway I can get your guys autographs and have you say hi to my wife Crystal and my boys Eric and Christian?
GUEST Hello. I just hate being asked for things.
CALLER Okay. Well, Im sorry. Anyway, the question is Id like to know the reason for the two different covers on the early vinyl release and the CD release coming out tomorrow and also the reason the new album was changed from 5 Against One to Vs.in the last month?
GUEST Your second question is the question of the week. The answer to the first question was to get people who play records something unique and something special. And that was kind of the idea behind the whole packaging of the whole thing. Anybody who played the record then they would have something different from all those digital people buying CDs.
HOST And what about the title change?
GUEST They were writing all these articles, you know. Our band against somebody elses band. What the hell are they talking about? Dont try to separate the powers that be. Were all in this together. They should take all those award shows, instead of giving you an award, I think there should be some kind of competition where the bands go up and you have a semi play-off and a play-off and then a super bowl... A battle of the bands. One band can actually win and pour champagne over each other and they could be champion band of the world. How ridiculous is that!
HOST They could put you all into divisions and leagues.
GUEST So, we were being cynical by calling it Vs. Sometimes that doesnt work. U2 is being cynical when they printed dollar bills with their faces on it and spewed them out to the audience and they said things like, Watch more TV and I think some people might be doing that right now.Our thing is watch more radio!
HOST There you go! Ill have my vote for that. And I believe there are actually some cassettes, the initial cassette printings have the original title which is 5 Against One and then now the original CD pressings are untitled.
GUEST And there will be another title before this record is done.
HOST I think youve hit on a whole new deal here. Its like change the title of the album every two or three months. I think it could be something worth thinking about. Actually, 5 Against One is also in a lyric in one of the songs which is one were going to play right now called Animal. From the new album by Pearl Jam in the stores tomorrow. Were giving you a preview tonight on the Global Satellite Network.
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HOST From Seattle, Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam on the Global Satellite Network. Were going to go right back to the phones now. Take it again to St. Louis. To Pat whose listening to us. Pat, youre on ROCKLINE.
CALLER My question is for Eddie. The first thing I was wondering was I remember hearing interviews with Eddie a while ago about how he didnt like to talk about the meanings of the lyrics to the songs because he didnt want to give away anything to the personal individual feeling of the song and I just recently read their article in Rolling Stone where he described what Alive means and the meanings of some lyrics and I was wondering what changed your mind? Why did you decide to talk about the meanings?
GUEST Hey. You know were giving away shoes tonight. Lets give away some better stuff then that. Lets give away a harmonica, a wine bottle, a mask. Pat. Well give this harmonica to you. Whats your last name.
CALLER Brennen.
GUEST Okay, sir. Youve just won a harmonica. Thanks very much.
HOST Stay on the line, Pat. Were going to go to Jacksonville, Florida and Rock 105. Juanita is listening to us down in Jacksonville. Youre on ROCKLINE with Pearl Jam tonight.
CALLER Yeah. I was wondering how they felt about parents blaming the music for violence and stuff?
GUEST Wow! Nothing changes. The world goes on and youre gone. The best revenge is to live on and prove yourself. Be stronger then those people. And then you can come back. Thats kinda what I did. Now all those people who were my enemies want to be my friends. They dont understand why I dont respond to them.
HOST Thats a great answer. Were going to go to Davenport, Iowa and 97X , Jamie is listening to us there. Hows the floodwaters out in Davenport these days, Jamie?
CALLER Oh, its gone. But were still recovering.
HOST Good. Whats your question for Eddie and Jeff?
CALLER I want to know how you guys feel about the different video awards and stuff that youve won, cause Im a young video director and I would like to pursue a career in this. I just wanna know how you guys feel about it?
GUEST Make movies. Dont make videos. Videos are evil. MTV is a tremendous thing, a tremendous forum. You can make films for videos. Thats what we try to do. I mean some people consider it instead of the best video of the year the best commercial for your CD, you know, we see it as art. We didnt want it to interfere with the music. The first two were just live with live sound, etc. The third one we tried to interpret a little bit and you see what happened. The problem is if you recall, do you remember the first time you saw that video, do you still remember?
CALLER Yes. I love it.
GUEST And maybe it hit ya kinda hard? Or made you think about something?
CALLER Yeah!
GUEST Cause after it was seen a hundred thousand times or even the normal viewer saw it a thousand times it didnt mean anything anymore. Oh yeah, this is the video where the kid kills himself. Which is exactly why the song was written to bring it to light, you know and all of a sudden it was something we didnt think about any more. Thats the only thing that kind of a you know that can kind of upset me about it, you know, and I think that weve talked about, we dont want to be remembered for our videos, you see?
HOST You are also not going to be doing videos right away behind Vs. right?
GUEST We just dont know. Our mind is on music right now. Well record another record and maybe even before well do that. Our mind is on music which is probably a real good thing for everybody. Wed love to do things on MTV and just have it be a different form of public access. You know, I dont have MTV. I dont have cable. And so I dont even know, thats how it was at the awards. I just didnt know what it meant, really. It was a strange form of appreciation I showed, I know, but ...
HOST Jamie, thanks a lot for the call. We appreciate it. Still lots of time for you to speak with Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam. That number is 1-800-344-ROCK. And more from the new album Vs live from Seattle.
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HOST Welcome back to ROCKLINE coming to you live from Seattle tonight . We are joined tonight with our friends in Australia who are listening to us all over Australia on tonights ROCKLINE. Were going to go to Melbourne, Victoria and put Danielle on the ROCKLINE with Eddie and Jeff from Pearl Jam.
CALLER Hi guys!
GUEST Hello! Hey, how are the waves?
CALLER Its not quite summer yet. I havent been to the beach.
GUEST Well, well wait till then to come.
CALLER Oh, fantastic. Okay, Ive got two questions for you. I heard you mention that youve played live on ROCKLINE on previous show. Is there any chance of you playing live tonight?
GUEST I'll do some spoken word later on.
CALLER Oh, fantastic! Fantastic! And also, I was wondering how special was the experience of working with Chris during the Temple of the Dog project?
GUEST It was pretty amazing. It was so special. Chris is a great, great songwriter. So on a musical level it was really great and just to kind of do something with some of these people who have been friends for a long time and to kind of combine the two things and to get along to make music and to learn and to be open and to I dont know, it was a great experience all the way around. Chris is a great guy. Danielle, for asking us a question about one of our favorite people, were going to reward you with one of my masks, one of my favorite ones, so stay on the line and theyll take your address and if you wear this mask with a friend you can come out and drink beer with us at the show. Isnt that nice. Then you get a pair of shoes and a record too!
HOST How about that Danielle. Thanks for calling and were going to go to Oklahoma City now and rock 100.5 the KATT. Darrin is listening to us in Oklahoma City. Youre on ROCKLINE Darrin.
CALLER Hello Eddie. Hello Jeff. How ya doing tonight?
GUEST Good. Have you ever heard of the band Babes in Toyland?
CALLER Yes, I have.
GUEST Good for you sir!
CALLER Theyre a good band. I had a question about another one of your favorite people, I think and certainly a favorite songwriter of mine. Victoria Williams.
GUEST Hell probably want a mask now too!
CALLER Yeah. Thanks a lot. How did it come about for Pearl Jam to be involved with the Sweet Relief project and how did you choose Crazy Mary? Great song.
GUEST The song was picked out for us. Lou Reed is married and his wife gave us the tape and suggested that song which I thought, we had seen her, as soon as I turned on the tape I remember I was on an airplane I think I was coming back from that Bob Dylan fest and as soon as I heard her voice I knew wed had just seen her so to hear that she was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis and her life was in the balance, etc I dont know, those are one of the moments you stop taking for granted that you are living and have the use of all your limbs, etc, etc. Something that no one should take for granted and if all we had to do was record a song to help her out then I think well do that.
HOST Thank you very much...
GUEST But you like it, huh?
CALLER Crazy Mary is indeed a great song and the new music that Im hearing tonight , especially Daughter I heard it for the first time over the weekend on KATT-FM, they kind of sneeked-peaked the album over the weekend and...
GUEST Theres the Babes in Toyland connection...
CALLER Daughter really impresses me and Crazy Mary has impressed me since the first time I heard it. Its a great song.
GUEST You like the slow stuff? Well make a record of all the slow stuff and then well make a record of all the fast stuff and then you know people who dont like the fast stuff they wont have to sit through it.
HOST Dan, thanks a lot for the call. We got one of the faster things I think from the Vs. album that we want to get to right now. This is called Dissident from Pearl Jams new album on ROCKLINE.
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