Is this what it's like growing up and getting older?

gregoryield

By no means am I contemplating my - or anyone else's - mortality, but I have felt old ever since the Conan performance and would pay good money to translate my thoughts/feelings into words.

It's funny, I can tell you exactly where I was when I listened to each and every Pearl Jam album and appreciate their ability to perfectly capture certain points in my life (the same goes for concerts). I love them for that and I love music's ability to momentarily stop time and provie continuous opportunities in the future to go back to that music, that time, that moment.

In a lot of ways, Pearl Jam will be forever and I will be forever appreciative of their timelessness. But it's got to change at some point, doesn't it? Maybe it already has and I'm just missing it. They're not the same band and I'm okay with that; they've grown up and matured and adapted and we've been right there the whole time.

Part of me doesn't want them to change, doesn't want this to change and doesn't even want to think about things changing.

Do you think this is how our folks felt growing up with a band, too?

mrshock13

I think the fact that we are all there going along for the ride gives us a different perspective of the band. Comparing our opinions to the casual listeners is a clear example. They complain or make comments of how the band has changed too much, yet we have been seeing them live over the years, hearing their musical progression and realizing all the members are maturing and evolving, and we are just there seeing the music unfold, not really taking in how the band is changing. Everything seems to just be happening to a logical progression from our eyes.

Purex37

I agree completely. But at the same time, a few of my friends who are much more casual listeners called me last week to say what they liked about the Tonight Show performance. One of them said that Pearl Jam has 'aged extremely well' and still rocked as hard as ever. All of the casual fans I know, who pretty much just own the first 3 albums, were excited about hearing new Pearl Jam after watching Conan.

Although, the people I'm talking about are also in their mid to late 20's so they've matured and grown older with the band even though they weren't really listening to them for most of the last 15 years.

Vedder_Girl77

I'm just amazed that after 18 years I still LOVE this band! I never thought that I'd love music that I listened to in my teens as much if not more now that I am in my 30's. I still get very excited when I get to see them in concert and when a new album comes out.

gregoryield

Purex37 wrote:

Although, the people I'm talking about are also in their mid to late 20's so they've matured and grown older with the band even though they weren't really listening to them for most of the last 15 years.

And I guess that's what gets me, the fact I've been listening to the same band for the last 17 years, you know?

I realize that I've grown up and grown older over that time, but sometimes I forget the band has done the same thing. As much as I appreciate music's ability to act as a time capsule, sometimes that can be misleading, too.

It's not something I've really thought too much about in the last 17 years, but definitely something I've thought A LOT about in the past two weeks.

The perspective is oddly humbling.

slightofjeff

Sometimes I freak myself out with thoughts such as these:

The distance between Ten and Binaural is the same as the distance between Binaural and Backspacer.

Eek.

STT757

I think those of us in ours 30's (I turn 34 next week) and 40's have a much different experience as Pearl Jam fans than our newer fans, I started listening to Pearl Jam when I was 16. I was in High School from '90-'94, obviously Pearl jam and their music were at the height of popularity during those years. I had the "Singles" cassette in my car and I would play "Breath" and "State of Love and Trust" over and over again, I don't know how many times I had to go out and buy that cassette again because someone stole it from me. I remember laying on my bedroom floor during my Senior year of High School in 1993 watching Pearl Jam on the MTV music awards blast through "Animal" and "Rockin' in the Free World" and just being blown away, I cannot describe the feeling.

I had the same feeling when I heard their April 1994 radio broadcast from Atlanta's Fox Theater, I remember driving around that night listening to that show being blown away. Again when I saw them at Randall's Island in 1996 it was truly a life changing experience. I've flown to California and Seattle to see them live, both trips were like Religious pilgramedes for me. I've got to be honest though, the last time I had that magic feeling from Pearl Jam was in 2003 when I saw them at the PNC Arts Center. They were "ON" and had that magic that night, however when I saw them in 2006 and 2008 I kind of felt there was something a miss. I didn't get any feeling from watching them on the Tonight Show the other night, I liked the song but the connection was not there for me. I felt the same as many have expressed here, seeing Eddie (everyone else looked great) made me feel that those magic days are gone. And that Pearl Jam is not so much about an "experience" anymore, but rather a reunion. It seems they are much more intwined in with whatever they're doing outside of the band (families, side projects, surfing, Skate boarding, Sean Penn etc..), and that "Pearl Jam" to it's members (especially Eddie) is just not as important as it used to be to them. I hope I'm wrong.

I'm hoping it's just a phase, the Ten re issue really sparked my memory about a lot of things which I'm sure it did for everyone else including the members of Pearl Jam. It definitely even sparked Dave Abbruzzese to come out of the isolation he's been in for the last 15 to start making contact with Pearl Jam fans once again. He has been posting in a couple of fan forums and set up that You Tube page with his old home videos which is AWESOME. Hopefully the reissues have the same effect on Jeff, Mike, Eddie and Stone as it has on Dave and sparking some emotions and thoughts that probably haven't been around in quite a while. I can't wait for the next reissues, and I'm looking forward to hearing another Brendan O'Brien produced Pearl Jam album and hearing them live later this year.

gregoryield

STT757 wrote:

And that Pearl Jam is not so much about an "experience" anymore, but rather a reunion. It seems they are much more intwined in with whatever they're doing outside of the band (families, side projects, surfing, Skate boarding, Sean Penn etc..), and that "Pearl Jam" to it's members (especially Eddie) is just not as important as it used to be to them. I hope I'm wrong.

But is that necessarily a bad thing?

I can't say I'm as into the band the same way I was when I was 12 as I am now at 29, but I accept and appreciate that. I'm not that kid on the back of the bus listening to Vs. over and over (and over) on my Aiwa tape player, but I do appreciate the music MUCH more than I did back then. I used to listen to the same few songs and fast forward through the rest. That changed with No Code, which taught me to appreciate full albums and not just the singles.

Concerts, in a lot of ways, are perhaps a perfect example of the progression, as that "reunion" aspect is what I think we all appreciate about going to a show. To this day, I still have to convince people to go to a show with me and so appreciate their reaction when it's FAR better than they expected it to be. I appreciate the music from my experience, but appreciate introducing (or, re-introducing) the band to new fans, too. They still come off as a secret I've discovered and can't wait to share with someone else.

Purex37

STT757 wrote:

I had the same feeling when I heard their April 1994 radio broadcast from Atlanta's Fox Theater, I remember driving around that night listening to that show being blown away. Again when I saw them at Randall's Island in 1996 it was truly a life changing experience. I've flown to California and Seattle to see them live, both trips were like Religious pilgramedes for me. I've got to be honest though, the last time I had that magic feeling from Pearl Jam was in 2003 when I saw them at the PNC Arts Center. They were "ON" and had that magic that night, however when I saw them in 2006 and 2008 I kind of felt there was something a miss. I didn't get any feeling from watching them on the Tonight Show the other night, I liked the song but the connection was not there for me. I felt the same as many have expressed here, seeing Eddie (everyone else looked great) made me feel that those magic days are gone. And that Pearl Jam is not so much about an "experience" anymore, but rather a reunion. It seems they are much more intwined in with whatever they're doing outside of the band (families, side projects, surfing, Skate boarding, Sean Penn etc..), and that "Pearl Jam" to it's members (especially Eddie) is just not as important as it used to be to them. I hope I'm wrong.

I'm hoping it's just a phase, the Ten re issue really sparked my memory...

I guess I'm an older fan since I'm 28 and they've been my favorite band in the world since I was in sixth grade. My age (but mostly my mother) prevented me from seeing the band live those first few years, but I still have vivid memories of staying up listening to the monkey wrench radio broadcasts with the next blank cassette tape ready to go. Watching them on MTV back then was life changing for me in a lot of ways. I feel the same exact way as you about seeing them live; it's a very religious experience for me. Their music got me through all of the difficult parts of my adolescence.

I've traveled from Chicago to New York, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan and of course Wisconsin just to see them. There have been some very special moments since 2003 for me. Grand Rapids in 2006 instantly comes to mind.

pjalive21

i just turned 30 this year and i also did some reflection about my relationship with the band and the music evolving over the years and well as my anticipation of new albums and whatnot....i still get pumped when news about a new album comes out or when the band is about ready to tour and wondering what city you are going to attend and making all the plans and all that...i think what keeps me connected is the fact that this band still tours and is pumping out music after all these years and we have been along for the ride with them

i always wondered what my dad was talking about with his music when i was growing up how he felt it was timeless and how he felt connected to it...growing up i always wanted that connection to a band and with music and i was fortunate to come across that band with Pearl Jam and man what a ride its been all these years

just dont reflect on how older you are getting or how old the band is getting just look at it as a new chapter in your life as well as the bands...kind of like a marriage its never the same as it was at first but you evolve and you grow together

loveboatcaptian

Mortality.. it is bone chilling at times and were just waiting around to see how it happens. Listening to PJ reminds me that I'm not alone on this journey and feel they are writing music that mirrors my feelings my life.

PearlJain

slightofjeff wrote:

Sometimes I freak myself out with thoughts such as these:

The distance between Ten and Binaural is the same as the distance between Binaural and Backspacer.

Eek.

Pearl Jam has been a huge part of our marriage.....especially since 1995! Everything to us is related by a title or a verse of one of their songs. Where is the time going? Geez!

halszka123

Probably I felt the same like gregoryield. But it was when I first time saw I am mine video. I hadn't seen The Band from Ten era on tv, and in concert in '96. So seeing Ed's short hair - stupid, but true - that was the time when I noted The Band grew up.
Now i don't have the feeling, perhaps I can see often new photos and videos here, I mean on internet.

Now I totally except the change touching Pearl Jam. I think it connect with the feelings about my own "mature" or "getting old" - I except it without any fear or astonishment, don't even consider the fact time goes on, just threads like this one makes me stopping for a minute to think about it.

For me the only thing important about the "passing time" is my real, not faltering happiness Pearl Jam still exists and makes music. the happiness is as big as my fear about Their future was 16 years ago, when I started to really be into Them.

weenie

I dreamed last night I met Ed and was trying to tell him what the band had meant to me. I ended up telling him that Pearl Jam had been in my life everyday for at least the last ten years and I was so grateful to them for being there. I think that's the difference for us hardcore fans vs the casual fans. We've grown right along with the band. I hope we continue to have that opportunity for several more years. :P

Mrs.Vedder78

slightofjeff wrote:

Sometimes I freak myself out with thoughts such as these:

The distance between Ten and Binaural is the same as the distance between Binaural and Backspacer.

Eek.

Yikes!
I had never looked at it that way... :shock:

weenie

Simply LOVE that "hair" pic of you Mrs. Vedder. Way cool....

jlarson75

I feel exactly the same way- over the past few weeks, I've been contemplating, for the first time really, what it feels like to get older. I'm 33 now, married and with two kids- a far cry age-wise from that 16 year old high school girl that was totally awestruck by PJ. In some ways, it's been a bit sad. Watching the band get older...watching everyone get older...and understanding that it's nothing that we can control. This seems to state the obvious, but it's really just hit home in the past few weeks. It's like PJ is the measuring stick of time, and since we've beeen with them from the beginning, we have a concrete example of how time passes.

I really need to figure out a different way of looking at al this...because I really don't want to be sad about something that's part of life!! And I have a great life now, not like I'm wishing for the past. Anyone have the same problem?

:?

Purex37

weenie wrote:

Simply LOVE that "hair" pic of you Mrs. Vedder. Way cool....

I love the hoodie too... Must admit that I'm jealous; wish I would have picked one up when I had the chance.

weenie

You'll have more chances. There should be some hoodies in the next tour merch.

slightofjeff

weenie wrote:

I dreamed last night I met Ed and was trying to tell him what the band had meant to me. I ended up telling him that Pearl Jam had been in my life everyday for at least the last ten years and I was so grateful to them for being there. I think that's the difference for us hardcore fans vs the casual fans. We've grown right along with the band. I hope we continue to have that opportunity for several more years. :P

This is another thing that freaks me out. People who have been on board since Yield or Binaural have been around long enough to consider themselves "hard core."

Not meant to diss you or anyone else, at all. It just makes me feel old.

I can remember skipping class to buy Vs. the day it was released. To me, Yield and Binaural seem like the start of Pearl Jam's "old man" phase.

Of course, there are also folks on this board who bought Ten the day it was released and think I'm some newbie, too.

UpSideDown

slightofjeff wrote:

Sometimes I freak myself out with thoughts such as these:

The distance between Ten and Binaural is the same as the distance between Binaural and Backspacer.

Eek.

Sure doesn't feel like it.

Dark Star

What's the main issue some of you people have? The fact that you are getting older or the fact that PJ is getting older? There is nobody in the world that likes aging, but I don't see how that feeling should fall on the weight of Pearl Jam's shoulders, in respect to your lives. They are just five normal human beings like us all. (And who knows, maybe they don't feel too old themselves, Jeff did say 50 was the new 18.)

If watching PJ on Conan makes you feel older..., then looking at your parents, old high school friends, or a picture of yourself 20 years ago will obviously cause the same reaction. Doing these things makes me feel older too but that doesn't make me dissapointed by my parents, friends, or old pictures..., I just know my time of being older is upon me, and they are all in the same boat. Fact of life.

Some people may think "Man, Eddie looks beat up, tired, and fat, where did the last 10 yrs of my life go?" and I do understand your sentiments. (Even though in this case I thought he looked fine.) It is a rare thing to grow up side-by-side with a band that has affected your life for so many years, so it's only natural for us die-hard fans to try and find that common ground between PJ's career span and our own life's progression. Can you think of any other band from 1991 that your friends have had similar experiences? Probably not. Even the Beatles only lasted 6 or 7 years.

If you don't like their last few albums and are asking yourself "why not, maybe I am too old" or "maybe the band is too old." The real answer is: Your overall satisfication in their music has not been delivered by the band like it once used to be. (This isn't the case for me.) I think those feelings have less to do with age and more to do with art appreciation and personal taste. Yes, Ed's voice isn't as powerful as it once was. Yes, as you get older (busier) you find less time to dedicate your life to music, as a fan and musician. Yes, you lose the teenage angst that PJ effectively addressed in the earlier years. Sure, fans will continue to grow apart from PJ but the parting of fan & band has always been a forward linear equation, as is with all relationships.

So to answer the posters question. Yes, this is what it's like getting older. I'm sure my parents feel old when they hear "Yesterday" or "In My Life" by the Beatles, but that is hardly the Beatles fault. Blame the aging process for feeling older, not PJ. We should count our blessings that an amazing rock band is still around and making viable music. I hope I can live to see them around a long time.

State of Mind

jlarson75 wrote:

I really need to figure out a different way of looking at al this...because I really don't want to be sad about something that's part of life!! And I have a great life now, not like I'm wishing for the past. Anyone have the same problem?

:?

I can really relate to how you feel! It makes me think of The Who. I saw their "first" farwell tour in 1982 and it was absolutely incredible. Saw them other times, but seeing them on stage right after John Entwistle died was so emotional, I was wondering how they could play and sing when I was out on the lawn crying at times.
Personally, I love being a fan and showing my love at concerts. As much as I love to sit at home for a night with the headphones or blasting PJ from my car, I think the best way, well, my favorite way to hear their music is at an arena with thousands of other lunatics like me screaming our heads off!! If The Who or even Pearl Jam were so old that they were in wheelchairs and couldn't really sing or play, I would not care if they had to be up on stage with their own music blaring on speakers behind them, I'd be there with my walker, taking out my false teeth so I could yell louder!! As long as they want to be on stage, I will be there as an appreciative and grateful fan!

weenie

slightofjeff wrote:

weenie wrote:

I dreamed last night I met Ed and was trying to tell him what the band had meant to me. I ended up telling him that Pearl Jam had been in my life everyday for at least the last ten years and I was so grateful to them for being there. I think that's the difference for us hardcore fans vs the casual fans. We've grown right along with the band. I hope we continue to have that opportunity for several more years. :P

This is another thing that freaks me out. People who have been on board since Yield or Binaural have been around long enough to consider themselves "hard core."

Not meant to diss you or anyone else, at all. It just makes me feel old.

I can remember skipping class to buy Vs. the day it was released. To me, Yield and Binaural seem like the start of Pearl Jam's "old man" phase.

Of course, there are also folks on this board who bought Ten the day it was released and think I'm some newbie, too.

I don't take it as a diss. I was actually living in Seattle when Ten broke. I bought it and became a fan instantly. However, I was married at the time to someone who didn't like music and really gave me a hard time about being a fan. I wanted to join 10C in '91 but he gave me such a hard time, I didn't. (Just think what my number would be....... ) Anyway, I only count the last 10 years because that's when I got divorced and was able to start going to concerts and really be a fan. I guess that's why I consider myself hardcore, because I really was onboard in '90 & '91, but wasn't able to "enjoy" PJ until I got divorced. Sad but true.

norm

slightofjeff wrote:

weenie wrote:

I dreamed last night I met Ed and was trying to tell him what the band had meant to me. I ended up telling him that Pearl Jam had been in my life everyday for at least the last ten years and I was so grateful to them for being there. I think that's the difference for us hardcore fans vs the casual fans. We've grown right along with the band. I hope we continue to have that opportunity for several more years. :P

This is another thing that freaks me out. People who have been on board since Yield or Binaural have been around long enough to consider themselves "hard core."

Not meant to diss you or anyone else, at all. It just makes me feel old.

I can remember skipping class to buy Vs. the day it was released. To me, Yield and Binaural seem like the start of Pearl Jam's "old man" phase.

Of course, there are also folks on this board who bought Ten the day it was released and think I'm some newbie, too.

haha...i was gonna call you out...although i didn't buy ten the first day i did buy it late 91 and have been a fan since....

PearlJain

jlarson75 wrote:

I feel exactly the same way- over the past few weeks, I've been contemplating, for the first time really, what it feels like to get older. I'm 33 now, married and with two kids- a far cry age-wise from that 16 year old high school girl that was totally awestruck by PJ. In some ways, it's been a bit sad. Watching the band get older...watching everyone get older...and understanding that it's nothing that we can control. This seems to state the obvious, but it's really just hit home in the past few weeks. It's like PJ is the measuring stick of time, and since we've beeen with them from the beginning, we have a concrete example of how time passes.

I really need to figure out a different way of looking at al this...because I really don't want to be sad about something that's part of life!! And I have a great life now, not like I'm wishing for the past. Anyone have the same problem?

:?

You're STILL young!!!! Enjoy! Being 33 was the GREATEST age I ever was and probably ever will be! It was FAN -FRIKON -FABULOUS!

yellowporch

STT757 wrote:

I had the "Singles" cassette in my car and I would play "Breath" and "State of Love and Trust" over and over again, I don't know how many times I had to go out and buy that cassette again because someone stole it from me. I remember laying on my bedroom floor during my Senior year of High School in 1993 watching Pearl Jam on the MTV music awards blast through "Animal" and "Rockin' in the Free World" and just being blown away, I cannot describe the feeling.

that gave me goose-bumps! Im a younger fan (21) and WISH i could have had those memories in high school!

musicismylife78

while they are different they are very much the same. The values and ideals the band stood for 1991, they still stand for. They remain to this day, one of a select few bands, String Cheese Incident is one of them, Trent Reznor the other, to challenge Ticketmaster publicly.

They still make important music and art. They make music that isnt created to fatten Ed's bank account. Its art for arts sake, and I love that.

I am the same way, I was 10 in 1994 when Kurt died, but indeed PJ's music and grunge in general evokes a time in history, a time in my life.

We change as people. Why would you expect to feel and be the same person you were 15 years ago?

Pearl jam remains a great band. I just have come to the realization, there are many great bands. At one point I was into Pearl Jam and ONLY Pearl jam. Now I know, Pearl Jam is very important to me, but I also know Explosions in the Sky, or Dylan, or Uncle Bruce, or Iron and Wine etc... are just as important. All are reasons why I am who I am today. All are essential pieces of the puzzle

musicismylife78

focusing on ONLY one band is not something I am into. Yes, this band is hugely important, and I wouldnt be here if it wasnt for the songs, but as I said, Indifference is a mindblowing song. But so is Your Hand in Mine by Explosions or Vaka by Sigur Ros or Sunset soon forgotten by iron and Wine

PearlJain

I drive down the roads on my way to run errands, for my job, etc, and I see these young guys in "stocking caps" - during June, even here in Panama City, Florida. They sit there - and they wait for the trolly system. Those guys still look hot ( not that I'm "looking" or anything - Ha!). I just think it's really cool that Pearl Jam still exists, that a younger generation(s) love their music, and that together - we keep their music relevent and alive. There is so much room for all of us to appreciate the music - and that's what counts.

littlewingfridays

yellowporch wrote:

STT757 wrote:

I had the "Singles" cassette in my car and I would play "Breath" and "State of Love and Trust" over and over again, I don't know how many times I had to go out and buy that cassette again because someone stole it from me. I remember laying on my bedroom floor during my Senior year of High School in 1993 watching Pearl Jam on the MTV music awards blast through "Animal" and "Rockin' in the Free World" and just being blown away, I cannot describe the feeling.

that gave me goose-bumps! Im a younger fan (21) and WISH i could have had those memories in high school!

Awesome that you are a "younger" fan, getting old myself
Nice job!