PJ breaking the rules in the UK

Jeanwah · August 2009

Nice to see that the guys still won't take NO for an answer!

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2009/08/19/10 ... ertainment

Pearl Jam breaks the rules in U.K.
By WENN.COM

Rockers Pearl Jam infuriated bosses at a London concert venue after their Tuesday night gig overran - with frontman Eddie Vedder staging a sit-down protest as organizers attempted to force the band offstage.

The Alive hitmakers began their gig at the British capital's O2 Arena 15 minutes late and played right up until the venue's official curfew at 11:00 p.m. (local time).

But the rockers were having so much fun, they decided to keep going, much to the delight of the star-studded audience, which included actors Josh Brolin, Jonah Hill and Tim Robbins.

After concluding their third encore, singer Vedder told the crowd, "We usually finish after this song - but not tonight!"

The band kept playing for another 20 minutes until organizers turned on the houselights, signalling the end of the show.

The rockers said their goodbyes but Vedder sat down cross-legged in the middle of the stage clutching his microphone until his bandmates grabbed their instruments and joined him for one more tune.

The group is also facing a fine from O2 Arena bosses after Vedder was spotted sparking up cigarettes on stage, flouting the U.K.'s smoking ban. The regulations ban smoke from all public places, including concert venues, and offenders can face penalties of up to $4,000.

The Rolling Stones previously caused controversy at the arena by lighting up during their last concerts there in 2007, but the legendary musicians were spared a fine by O2 bosses.