Chicago Observations - "No Even Flow"

Ledbetterman10

My Education wrote:

I offended him with the shirt. And some of the other band members, too (Matt reached out to hand me his sticks after the show, then threw them way out into the crowd; a total FU).

LOL

moses-i

Just a little food for thought. The at issue songs mentioned in this thread and how many times they have been played:

Alive -552
Daughter-391
Small Town-294
Even Flow-631
Jeremy-413
Not for You-171

There are several others like Black, Porch, Animal or Betterman that are well over 300 plays. On the other hand, you have:

Who You Are-34
Smile-50
Around the Bend-9
I'm Open-7
Mankind-34
Tremor Christ-54
Satan's Bed-20

I mean who you are was a single off no code and only 34 plays? As you can tell I am a fan of No Code and Vitalogy. Nonetheless, I think they are better exemplars than songs off the later albums simply because songs that have been around longer get played more. I know that part of the reason that these songs are not played probably has to do with the lack of Jack Irons but it does suck not to hear your favourite song played live.

Don't get me wrong I love Pearl Jam and I think we are lucky that we get such diverse setlists for each tour but having ONLY gone to hometown shows in Toronto, I do feel like I could do without some of the tried and true songs. And I know there is a lot of "the grass is greener" going on here. I feel that Toronto sometimes gets the shaft and we get your sorta best of show while a lot of US dates get better lists. Having said that, I'm sure ppl see TO set lists and say "wow you guys got______! Lucky!"

I don't think there is anything wrong with being sick of a song...I mean we grow and mature and our tastes change. I am sure Pearl Jam are sick of some songs to and ultimately its up to them to play what they play. To some extent they should be thinking that "the customer is always right" and as such play certain songs they might not necessarily like as much and maybe that's what they do when they play Even Flow ad nauseum.

One final thought. I remember YEARS ago listening to an interview with radiohead when they were just breaking big with Creep and they complained about playing shows and seeing people leave right after they played Creep. Like ppl waited just for that BIG song and then they left. So I pose this question:

What is worse-coming just for the HITS and leaving or coming for the rarities, the "real" fan favourites and ducking out during a song you've seen played several times and just have fallen out of love with?

BeerBaron

metsfan wrote:

Indianaboy9 wrote:

I love to have EvenFlow in every set just in case I need to hit the urinals and/or beer line.

+1

There was actually a line up in the mens room at Chi 2 when Even Flow was being played

CROJAM95

This thread/story is the "Boston Puker" of tour 2009!

smarchee

let's not forget that Ed likes the smoke breaks that he gets during this song

ThrowUrArmsAroundMe

It's an interesting point. I mean, I know when I'm listening to bootlegs, I more often than not skip Even Flow. But, when I am at the show, I rock the fuck out to it. I've been to 8 shows, which isn't a whole lot, mind you my first was in 05. I guess the point is that even though it's a song I've heard a million times, getting to see it (or any song) live is always a special treat.

I'm not sure I could just go take a piss during a PJ show...unless I really had to go...and then...well then maybe that'd be the song haha.

ladydocNYC

81 wrote:

no even flow dude.... hell of a way to make a first post

You can say that again!

cincybearcat

Is this serious?

I mean, I was there...to me it seemed like it was all in good fun. I don't really think anyone in the band got upset with the guy...just playing a role on stage...a joke on the guy.

Man, some people are pretty sensative.

LiteTheMatch

cincybearcat wrote:

Is this serious?

I mean, I was there...to me it seemed like it was all in good fun. I don't really think anyone in the band got upset with the guy...just playing a role on stage...a joke on the guy.

Man, some people are pretty sensative.

Indeed!

Dissidentman

It's not like the guy threw a quarter at him or anything. That really pisses him off.

Ricsard

Vedderfan10 wrote:

Simple solution for the folks that are "tired of hearing Even Flow":

Just don't got to any more Pearl Jam concerts! Sorry, but this is getting f'n annoying. If you are tired of hearing it, you've seen the band far too many times and you have lost your respect for the band and for the other fans. Just stay home. Don't go and you won't be ticked off. Let other people go and hear it live for the first time or others who are grateful for the opportunity to see this great band and enjoy EVERY SINGLE moment of the show.

Goddam whiners and elitists. STAY HOME and let people who appreciate whatever they play go and have a good time!! :evil:

Personally I agree with you and I like the way Ed handled this akward situation!

I hate to say many PJ fans seem to be so spoiled and that is somehow one of the consequences of the professional efforts of the band... I mean we tend to forget about other fans that are not so crazy about the band as we are
and
by the way it's so fuckin disrespectful towards the band we supposedly love!

brandon10

Ricsard wrote:

Vedderfan10 wrote:

Simple solution for the folks that are "tired of hearing Even Flow":

Just don't got to any more Pearl Jam concerts! Sorry, but this is getting f'n annoying. If you are tired of hearing it, you've seen the band far too many times and you have lost your respect for the band and for the other fans. Just stay home. Don't go and you won't be ticked off. Let other people go and hear it live for the first time or others who are grateful for the opportunity to see this great band and enjoy EVERY SINGLE moment of the show.

Goddam whiners and elitists. STAY HOME and let people who appreciate whatever they play go and have a good time!! :evil:

Personally I agree with you and I like the way Ed handled this akward situation!

I hate to say many PJ fans seem to be so spoiled and that is somehow one of the consequences of the professional efforts of the band... I mean we tend to forget about other fans that are not so crazy about the band as we are
and
by the way it's so fuckin disrespectful towards the band we supposedly love!

You two take things far too seriously. Settle down. Some people would just prefer to hear some other songs. It's not that big of a deal. I wouldn't mind if they played Black at every single concert I went to. But that's because I like the song better than Even Flow. It's just a preference thing. And that's what these message boards and fun t-shirts are for, stating preferences.

So take your noses out Eddie's ass and get a life.

LiteTheMatch

brandon10 wrote:

Ricsard wrote:

Vedderfan10 wrote:

Simple solution for the folks that are "tired of hearing Even Flow":

Just don't got to any more Pearl Jam concerts! Sorry, but this is getting f'n annoying. If you are tired of hearing it, you've seen the band far too many times and you have lost your respect for the band and for the other fans. Just stay home. Don't go and you won't be ticked off. Let other people go and hear it live for the first time or others who are grateful for the opportunity to see this great band and enjoy EVERY SINGLE moment of the show.

Goddam whiners and elitists. STAY HOME and let people who appreciate whatever they play go and have a good time!! :evil:

Personally I agree with you and I like the way Ed handled this akward situation!

I hate to say many PJ fans seem to be so spoiled and that is somehow one of the consequences of the professional efforts of the band... I mean we tend to forget about other fans that are not so crazy about the band as we are
and
by the way it's so fuckin disrespectful towards the band we supposedly love!

You two take things far too seriously. Settle down. Some people would just prefer to hear some other songs. It's not that big of a deal. I wouldn't mind if they played Black at every single concert I went to. But that's because I like the song better than Even Flow. It's just a preference thing. And that's what these message boards and fun t-shirts are for, stating preferences.

So take your noses out Eddie's ass and get a life.

+2

srousseau

My Education wrote:

An Open Letter To Pearl Jam and Its Fans

**Edited for space**

Sincerely, and with remorse,
The "No Even Flow" Guy

PS- Please take my picture down. The posting is really very invasive.

Yeah, I thought it was a big joke at first, too. Then Ed seemed a bit peeved by it all by the end. The kicker was when Matt made to hand his sticks to you then launched them. Felt pretty bad for you after that. I figured the shirt was a (poorly done) attempt at a joke with good intentions that just got away from you.

Either way, sounds like you feel bad about it. I agree that your pic shouldn't be put all over the place.

RVM1978

I still love the song, but I just wish they would change it around in the set list sometimes. More often than not, you always hear it around song 8 through 12 in the main set. It would really rock the (expletive deleted) out of the place if they came out and opened with Even Flow, or first song of the encore, or even closed the main set with it. Definitely don't get rid of it, just move it around the set list more.

bootlegger10

The song itself is awesome, but the long solo in the middle has to go. I'm sorry, but Mike's soloing has gone downhill the last few tours. There is nothing fluid about the solos. A buddy of mine after the show who doesn't go to many shows said it seems like Mike spends more time figuring out what to play next in his solos than actually soloing. Mike's guitar playing made me want to be a guitar player, but man, get some melody into these solos! Make them memorable!

I still enjoy PJ shows as much as ever, this is a just a critique I've had for the last few years.

malcyrvs

I just think everyone has the right to make any statement they wish to make about this band, whether it be good or bad. Some of the comments in response to the original post are bordering on the obsessive.
After all, and one of the things the Band do hold precious to their hearts is Free Speech, which I thought as Americans, with The First Amendment to your Bill Of Rights, you more than anyone else would understand.
It bugs me like hell, but if I hear one more fan state the songs from a particular set list weren't obscure enough, I'll..., oh..., I don't know what I'll do, it's such a ridiculous statement to make.
Maybe I'm taking myself TOO seriously with what I've just said, I don't know.

Get me, politicising Pearl Jam, never done that before. Just shows what their body of work can do to people. Even Flow, or Not, as the case may be.

patrickredeyes

mca47 wrote:

Well, considering they have played it at 99% of shows in the last 10 years it's no surprise that people are "semi"-sick of it.

I know I am!!


Again, I know they have to play the favorites to those 20% who aren't die-hards or who haven't been to multiple shows but F ME...

So sick of Even Flow!

Yea I've had my fill of Even Flow.

RearViewMirror67

If I see someone wearing a "No Even Flow" shirt.. They will be wearing my beer.

Dissidentman

I'm gonna head to Philly with my "More Even Flow" T-shirt