***DAVE KRUSEN - Message Pit Interview***

LeatherMosquitoMan

Dave Krusen, as most of you may know, and some of you may not, was the drummer featured on the studio recording of Pearl Jam's Ten.
Every time you hear a studio version of a track from Ten, you're listening to the drumming of Mr. Dave Krusen. For over 20 years, almost every other day we've listened to him play drums on an album that began and defined what is, to us, the greatest Rock Band ever.
With the impending PJ20 festival, and all the hype surrounding it, i'm trying to gain some interviews w/some former band members in an attempt to make PJ20 all encompassing.

In talking to Dave just this morning, i proposed to him a Message Pit interview, and he has agreed.
The format will be as follows:

Post any question you have for Dave. I'll give this a few days, until probably friday, then i'll pick the best 20 questions.

I'll forward them on to Dave, he'll answer them over time, then i'll re-post the transcript to the Message Pit.

I'll keep your message pit handle attached to your question also, to not take anything away from any of you individually.

So... fire away!

EB105744

I'm curious if Spinal Tap jokes are ever made given the history of drummers with PJ.

Ledbetterman10

EB105744 wrote:

I'm curious if Spinal Tap jokes are ever made given the history of drummers with PJ.

Yes many times.

jjflash

Very cool.

Here's a question for Dave that comes to mind: "What's your take on the evolution of Pearl Jam since the seminal sounds of Ten that you helped create?"

YieldToNothing

i'm curious to know that if he decided to sit on his ass all day and not work, could he get by comfortably just off ten royalty checks.

LeatherMosquitoMan

jjflash wrote:

Very cool.

Here's a question for Dave that comes to mind: "What's your take on the evolution of Pearl Jam since the seminal sounds of Ten that you helped create?"

I like this. Thank you.

Given to...

First off, tell the man "Thank You"! from me and a few million others...

I see the super early footage of these bums in Seattle and it just blows my mind that they were on the razors edge of complete failure and through a handful of random choices evolved into Pearl Jam. What was your mindset at the time? The Seattle sound and grunge vibe produced a few noteworthy bands, but also left thousands of flannel clad wanna-be's in the waste and rubble. Did you have any vision past the next few months or were so simply riding the wave that alot of those were at the time?

Peace

HeavyHands

Do you know how many takes were done of each song you guys wrote?

Do you know if there are any fully completed/ near fully completed songs that have not been released yet? Kind of like "Brother" was not released for a long time.

LeatherMosquitoMan

Given to... wrote:

First off, tell the man "Thank You"! from me and a few million others...

I see the super early footage of these bums in Seattle and it just blows my mind that they were on the razors edge of complete failure and through a handful of random choices evolved into Pearl Jam. What was your mindset at the time? The Seattle sound and grunge vibe produced a few noteworthy bands, but also left thousands of flannel clad wanna-be's in the waste and rubble. Did you have any vision past the next few months or were so simply riding the wave that alot of those were at the time?

Peace

Will do

Kloddz

Who do you think is PJ's best drummer: Dave A, Jack, or Matt?

I'm just kidding, of course.

What about:

Are you still in contact with anyone from the band these days? Any thoughts on whether you will be guest starring at the PJ20 festival?

Edit: By the way, all bullshitting aside, thanks for doing this man!

LeatherMosquitoMan

HeavyHands wrote:

Do you know how many takes were done of each song you guys wrote?

Do you know if there are any fully completed/ near fully completed songs that have not been released yet? Kind of like "Brother" was not released for a long time.

Perfect! Thank you!

LeatherMosquitoMan

Kloddz wrote:

Who do you think is PJ's best drummer: Dave A, Jack, or Matt?

I'm just kidding, of course.

What about:

Are you still in contact with anyone from the band these days? Any thoughts on whether you will be guest starring at the PJ20 festival?

Edit: By the way, all bullshitting aside, thanks for doing this man!

No problem. I'm working on a few other things as well... we'll have to see if they work out...

By the way, don't forget Matt Chamberlain

eyejacker

GREAT!

I'd like to know what his take is on the remixed and remastered TEN that was released not so long ago. Did he think that the changes were necessary? Does he like the way it sounds now more? Did the band consult him when they decided to change it? Thanks!

satansbed

Out of the Pearl Jam drummers that followed you, who's drum sound impressed you the most

and

are you kicking yourself you didn't manage to stay in the band

pdalowsky

Does he own a reeenk roink?

does he know how many were ever made?

capecodriot

Can you play unemployable??

PilateOfTheStorm

wow very cool thanks for doing this

the drumming on Ten is amazing, so great

Most of the questions I thought of have already been asked, some very good ones.

The Ten Redux one is one of my mine - what did he think of it ?
as well as the question about the whole grunge Seattle thing

Has he kept in contact with the band? Ever been asked/considered playing for them again?

Has the evolution of PJ's sound surprised him? What does he think of the later music and sound compared to when they started out?


Thanks again

CJMST3K

GREAT IDEA!


Mr Krusen:

Your time with the band has been the most mysterious, as it is the least documented. I'm glad you're participating in this!

What was the reason for your departure?

Have you been in contact with the band since your departure?

What did your kit on the recording of Ten consist of?
(cymbal brand and types and drum brand and types - however general or specific)

Do you have any photos of your time in the band that you can share with us?

Do you currently listen to Pearl Jam's music? If so, aside from Ten, what are your favorite album(s)?

How would PJ's sound have progressed if you remained in the band?

What are your favorite bands/albums in your collection?

Have you been asked to participate in any way in the PJ20 festival? If not, would you be interested to participate, if asked?

...and, will you sign my Ten super deluxe edition? (if so, please send me a PM with his address)

SavedFucker

Q: What was your drum setup like in the studio during the Ten sessions? Cymbals, Brand of drums, etc?

Q: Who were some of your inspirations during the writing/jamming process of Ten?

typical drummer questions, i guess. Ten was the first album that I spent hours and hours and hours trying to play along to....key word: "Trying" haha

SavedFucker

CJMST3K wrote:

...and, will you sign my Ten super deluxe edition? (if so, please send me a PM with his address)

CJMST3K

What have you been up to since 1991?

Have you seen any Pearl Jam concerts since your departure? If so, and if multiple, what were your favorite?

What was the mood of the band when you joined, and when you left?