Great show in Vancouver last night! Smaller crowd, but the band sounded amazing. It was great to hear Jeff's bass nice and loud as I find it is often muffled in arena shows. Love the songs and really hope they continue as a band. Just so solid. A couple fun notes:
- My wife and I stood to side stage right beside Jeff's amps. It was in a hallway leading to the clubs mens bathroom. Jeff had put his orange balaclava on his amp and during the last song this moron ran past, grabbed the balaclava and ran into the bathroom. RNDM's roadie was right on him, but in the few seconds between grabbing it and running to the bathroom this guy somehow made the balaclava disappear. It was bizarre. The roadie practically stripped the guy down, looked through the bathroom stalls and garbage, nothing. Either this guy did a hand off to a friend waiting in the bathroom to walk out, or he ate the damn thing. Jeff came off stage and asked me what happened. I told him and he said "He's lucky I didn't see that happen. We only have 4 of those left". He seemed genuinely pissed.
- On the back of Jeff's orange bass he has the initials and nicknames for other bass players that he obviously respects. Some of the ones I could read: Dee Dee, Ox (John Entwistle), JPJ (John Paul Jones), Dukowski (Black Flag).
Got the whole band to sign a gig poster. Great night.
As for Jeff, i honestly I just sort of had to march up to him, did my best with pleasantries while others were hovering around. I would have felt a lot better waiting for it to thin out or something, but we were taking the train home and it shuts down stupid early, so we had to leave fast, and I would have regretted not meeting him (and suddenly I found myself with this album with two signatures on it, somehow meaning i needed the third. I didn't like feeling that need for completion and then having to seek it out. So i will probably never do that again; it made me feel a bit cheap, I dunno). But anyway, I shook his hand, mentioned the Tester win, blah blah whatever. He was polite but distracted. Oh well. Honestly, I thought he seemed a bit detached the whole show. Not sure what that was about. Maybe the slightly zombiefied crowd. Or maybe I was just misreading him.
Talked to him after and he was just really, really tired. End of the tour. They played 2 shows (Regular and In Store) on Sunday in Portland, then Vancouver on Monday, then they were leaving for Seattle after the show, and are playing two more shows today (in Store and regular). Think he was just feeling the end of tour blues and thinking about being home today to be honest. Thats the vibe I got from him.
Well if that's why he was detached it makes sense I guess. I was thinking about that schedule before I got there, wondering why they crammed so much into the very end. A day between Portland and Vancouver, and again between Vancouver and Seattle, sounded like a better plan to me... it was probably all they could swing with the venue bookings or something. Anyway, I kind of think that whatever his issue was, he should have kind of pulled himself together and sucked it up better for his band mates if not for the people who bought tickets. Joseph and Richard were fucking awesome, having fun, and Jeff was there looking kind of bored/ indifferent most of the show. That's not super cool. But hey, everyone's human, too (and the crowd WAS lame... nothing to do with size; that place was tiny anyway. Most people were just standing and staring. Wtf happened to rocking out in this city?? Or even just showing a little life. Glad I was up front alongside a couple other stoked people and barely had to look at it. Jeff was staring it in the face all show, and I felt bad about that).
Aside from those things, I was still in heaven - I love this band. And despite feeling weird getting them to sign for me, my album is fucking awesome now - just signed by Jeff, but personalized by Richard (he uses circles to dot his "I"s and "!"s, lol), and got a particularly cool-looking self portrait from Joseph like he does, plus a couple photos of me and him deep in discussion, which we didn't know were being taken by my friend at the time. I have never done the fan thing before like that, so i'm glad i got it out of my system. All in all, it was a great night for me! I bet Jeff will put on more of a special effort for the show tonight in Seattle. Wish I could go to that - lucky Seattle people, always getting tour closers.
Re the ski mask thief - what a little motherfucker. :evil:
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
- My wife and I stood to side stage right beside Jeff's amps. It was in a hallway leading to the clubs mens bathroom. Jeff had put his orange balaclava on his amp and during the last song this moron ran past, grabbed the balaclava and ran into the bathroom. RNDM's roadie was right on him, but in the few seconds between grabbing it and running to the bathroom this guy somehow made the balaclava disappear. It was bizarre. The roadie practically stripped the guy down, looked through the bathroom stalls and garbage, nothing. Either this guy did a hand off to a friend waiting in the bathroom to walk out, or he ate the damn thing. Jeff came off stage and asked me what happened. I told him and he said "He's lucky I didn't see that happen. We only have 4 of those left". He seemed genuinely pissed.
:evil: :-x
The balaclavas that have been sold at the shows - are they like the ones the band has (orange w/ black trim), or the ones the 10C has for sale (black w/ orange trim)? If this is the case, and this douche ever dared to wear it to a PJ-related function, he'd out himself as the thief by virtue of its orangeness. He's lucky I didn't see him, 'cause I would have been right behind the crew, ready to be backup for the showdown*. Having worked a lot of shows for my musician friend over the years (merch, tickets, assistant stuff, hauling stuff), I get uppity about people mucking with anything on anyone's stage. :problem: Touring is a weird beast. It's both exhausting and exhilarating, but the weight of each varies by the hour, let alone by the day. The distress of having something stolen - right off the stage - would make any level of exhaustion feel heavier. By the time I spoke to Jeff, he was as I described before. Hopefully he got some much-needed rest on the way back down the I-5.
Last night was also the first time I've ever heard a Kala U-bass in a rock band setting. Love those things; nearly bought one last month.
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
"Sitting in the red room at the Showbox with RNDM (Jeff Ament, Joseph Arthur & Richard Stuverud). We're about to go live with an interview on JetCitystream!"
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
Really? That's too bad. He was really nice & down to earth in Portland.
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
Really? That's too bad. He was really nice & down to earth in Portland.
I still love Jeff. Although i understand where Jeanwah is coming from. His mood was a bit off-putting. But nothing about him suggested to me that he's not down to Earth or nice. He was trying to be polite for sure, and I don't presume that this was normal behaviour for him. He just didn't seem particularly happy to be there in Vancouver, for whatever reason (ths mask stealing that happened before i spoke with him probably didn't help), and that was a shame, and he probably could have sucked it up a bit, since the show must go on. It doesn't change my overall appreciation for the guy though. I'm a big fan, and he's super talented. My appreciation for the other two band members increased dramatically though. I am for sure going to explore their own work more.
Oh, and also, the stage at the Biltmore is very tiny, and obviously there was no room for their normal cool back drop on stage, so they had just written a big crooked "ACTS" on the back wall in what looked like duct tape. Maybe that is what made Jeff grumpy!
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Just a couple pics from last nights show in Vancouver. I was last in line to shake Jeff's hand. I found him to be quite open and gracious. It was dark, but I took a pic of us anyway.
Great show tonight at the Showbox at the Market, last of the tour, super fun! They didn't seem tired although they played Vancouver last night and had a radio gig (KEXP) and a record store appearance today. Authur said the were "the closest to being on psychadelic drugs as they've been on the tour" because they were so exhausted.
The drummer is a maniac. Fun to watch.
McCready joined the stage for Can't Exist right before the break. Jeff introduced him by saying "We'd like to bring up a friend, I don't think he knows how to play this song, I don't think he's even heard it". Mike watched Authur like a hawk for the chord changes (who lost a string on his guitar a couple of minutes into the song), then killed it dueling solos with Authur.
I hope the guys get a good rest. I'd love to see them again.
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
Not sure what mood he was in Montreal. Joe & Richard were cool dudes. Hanging out by the back of the club. They must of been there for almost 30 minutes or so before security told us all to get our butts out of the building. I've seen a few pics posted on Twitter & Facebook of few fans taking pictures & meeting Jeff that night in Montreal. Not sure how. Either stalked them @ the back of the loading docks or something cause we were with Joseph & Richard those minutes before we were escorted out of the building. I wasn't @ the Ottawa show. Heard Jeff also that night didn't hang out for a meet & greet. At the Toronto show, he made his way back to the people!! He was out in full force that night!
Then, I was able to get to the showbox to get right up front and in the middle of the stage with Marcus. The show was amazing, especially since Mike McCready came out and melted all of our faces for "Can't Explain." Got some awesome pics and stickers. After the show we waited it out a little bit and Joseph Arthur came out, got him to sign my ticket and got a picture with him;
Then got Richard Stuverud to sign my other ticket and then Mike came out and not only got to talk to him and get his autograph, also got a picture with him;
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
Not sure what mood he was in Montreal. Joe & Richard were cool dudes. Hanging out by the back of the club. They must of been there for almost 30 minutes or so before security told us all to get our butts out of the building. I've seen a few pics posted on Twitter & Facebook of few fans taking pictures & meeting Jeff that night in Montreal. Not sure how. Either stalked them @ the back of the loading docks or something cause we were with Joseph & Richard those minutes before we were escorted out of the building. I wasn't @ the Ottawa show. Heard Jeff also that night didn't hang out for a meet & greet. At the Toronto show, he made his way back to the people!! He was out in full force that night!
Part of me thinks that Jeff probably hates how many fans just want a piece of him or just want pics and autographs for multiple items. Being exploited and used would certainly turn me off from talking to fans; it's just a bummer that those of us who are harmless don't get a chance to say thank you, while those who are photo whores or autograph whores end up getting his precious time.
Jeff was in a mood in Montreal too, so the theory that he's in a mood because it's the end of the tour can't be the reason. I don't know what his deal is, but I like Richard and Joe a whole lot better than I like him.
Not sure what mood he was in Montreal. Joe & Richard were cool dudes. Hanging out by the back of the club. They must of been there for almost 30 minutes or so before security told us all to get our butts out of the building. I've seen a few pics posted on Twitter & Facebook of few fans taking pictures & meeting Jeff that night in Montreal. Not sure how. Either stalked them @ the back of the loading docks or something cause we were with Joseph & Richard those minutes before we were escorted out of the building. I wasn't @ the Ottawa show. Heard Jeff also that night didn't hang out for a meet & greet. At the Toronto show, he made his way back to the people!! He was out in full force that night!
Part of me thinks that Jeff probably hates how many fans just want a piece of him or just want pics and autographs for multiple items. Being exploited and used would certainly turn me off from talking to fans; it's just a bummer that those of us who are harmless don't get a chance to say thank you, while those who are photo whores or autograph whores end up getting his precious time.
I dunno... that wouldn't really explain his sombre mood throughout the actual performance (and for me, I was friendly and just happy to meet him, and my album had already been personalized by his band mates, so he knew I was no autograph hound (I was also 6 inches in front of the stage dancing for the whole show). Plus, he's a rock star ... um, people really wanting to meet him and have him sign an album kind of comes with the territory. If it makes him miserable for a whole show simply in anticipation of people wanting him to sign a few things and wanting to meet him, then he might want to have a close look at his career options (or not come out from back stage - in Vancouver he came out very shortly after the show ended). But anyway, I really don't think that was it at all because he was like that all night. Maybe he was just really really tired. *shrug* Anyway, it's all good. I love Jeff - I just noticed that he seemed not too into it on Monday, which was kind of disappointing (not that much though, because he played perfectly - he sounded GREAT!!!), as much as I appreciated him being there. But the audience was disappointing too, so maybe that's fair! Sounds like he put on a good show on Tuesday.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Just a couple pics from last nights show in Vancouver. I was last in line to shake Jeff's hand. I found him to be quite open and gracious. It was dark, but I took a pic of us anyway.
I made that toque he's wearing!! I gave it to him after the show and finally had a chance to say thank you to a member of Pearl Jam!!
It was the first time I had ever met any of the guys and it's funny, but it felt very normal to be able to talk to him, I guess because I feel like I know them all after all these years... even though they don't know me. Anyway, it was a good experience for me, I wouldn't expect any more from Jeff than to be polite and put up with all of us hanging around waiting for him, and I thought he was very gracious. Maybe he's just not a super outgoing guy. He put on the hat I gave him and even if he never wears it again, it still made me happy!
Just a couple pics from last nights show in Vancouver. I was last in line to shake Jeff's hand. I found him to be quite open and gracious. It was dark, but I took a pic of us anyway.
I made that toque he's wearing!! I gave it to him after the show and finally had a chance to say thank you to a member of Pearl Jam!!
It was the first time I had ever met any of the guys and it's funny, but it felt very normal to be able to talk to him, I guess because I feel like I know them all after all these years... even though they don't know me. Anyway, it was a good experience for me, I wouldn't expect any more from Jeff than to be polite and put up with all of us hanging around waiting for him, and I thought he was very gracious. Maybe he's just not a super outgoing guy. He put on the hat I gave him and even if he never wears it again, it still made me happy!
Awesome! I think he'll wear the hat. He likes to wear them, and that one suits him, and I bet he appreciates it.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Part of me thinks that Jeff probably hates how many fans just want a piece of him or just want pics and autographs for multiple items. Being exploited and used would certainly turn me off from talking to fans; it's just a bummer that those of us who are harmless don't get a chance to say thank you, while those who are photo whores or autograph whores end up getting his precious time.
See, and I've been thinking the last couple of days that I may have been too forward meeting him in Milwaukee. As soon as he came outside I think I said "Hi; could I get a picture quick?" And he said yeah, let me go put my stuff on the bus first, and then he came back and signed and posed for EVERYONE. I think it was a combination of nerves and severe cold with me. I even barely talked to Richard while he hung out with us outside for the same reasons. Even still, I feel very privileged to have met the guys and to have seen such a great show up close & personal.
Just a couple pics from last nights show in Vancouver. I was last in line to shake Jeff's hand. I found him to be quite open and gracious. It was dark, but I took a pic of us anyway.
I made that toque he's wearing!! I gave it to him after the show and finally had a chance to say thank you to a member of Pearl Jam!!
It was the first time I had ever met any of the guys and it's funny, but it felt very normal to be able to talk to him, I guess because I feel like I know them all after all these years... even though they don't know me. Anyway, it was a good experience for me, I wouldn't expect any more from Jeff than to be polite and put up with all of us hanging around waiting for him, and I thought he was very gracious. Maybe he's just not a super outgoing guy. He put on the hat I gave him and even if he never wears it again, it still made me happy!
Awesome! I think he'll wear the hat. He likes to wear them, and that one suits him, and I bet he appreciates it.
Thanks, I hope so! It's my new dream to stumble across a photo of him wearing it at some other random (or RNDM!) event. How awesome would that be!!??
:fp: What the fuck? Why did I just buy that? I'm in job action with my union. I can't afford this poster, but just bought it anyway. I have a problem. :oops: But I am feeling just so in love with RNDM now! I couldn't help it! And I really dig that poster. :fp: ... But it looks like it's already gone, so now I'm less disgusted with myself, and pretty please I got in on it.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Part of me thinks that Jeff probably hates how many fans just want a piece of him or just want pics and autographs for multiple items. Being exploited and used would certainly turn me off from talking to fans; it's just a bummer that those of us who are harmless don't get a chance to say thank you, while those who are photo whores or autograph whores end up getting his precious time.
See, and I've been thinking the last couple of days that I may have been too forward meeting him in Milwaukee. As soon as he came outside I think I said "Hi; could I get a picture quick?" And he said yeah, let me go put my stuff on the bus first, and then he came back and signed and posed for EVERYONE. I think it was a combination of nerves and severe cold with me. I even barely talked to Richard while he hung out with us outside for the same reasons. Even still, I feel very privileged to have met the guys and to have seen such a great show up close & personal.
I think you were fine. I didn't even get a pic with him, though I did with Richard. He seemed a little miffed about the guy who wanted his guitar signed though, esp. when the guy initially wanted a picture of him and the guitar.
Comments
- My wife and I stood to side stage right beside Jeff's amps. It was in a hallway leading to the clubs mens bathroom. Jeff had put his orange balaclava on his amp and during the last song this moron ran past, grabbed the balaclava and ran into the bathroom. RNDM's roadie was right on him, but in the few seconds between grabbing it and running to the bathroom this guy somehow made the balaclava disappear. It was bizarre. The roadie practically stripped the guy down, looked through the bathroom stalls and garbage, nothing. Either this guy did a hand off to a friend waiting in the bathroom to walk out, or he ate the damn thing. Jeff came off stage and asked me what happened. I told him and he said "He's lucky I didn't see that happen. We only have 4 of those left". He seemed genuinely pissed.
- On the back of Jeff's orange bass he has the initials and nicknames for other bass players that he obviously respects. Some of the ones I could read: Dee Dee, Ox (John Entwistle), JPJ (John Paul Jones), Dukowski (Black Flag).
Got the whole band to sign a gig poster. Great night.
This song was KILLER live!!!! So much fun...I hope I get to see them again!
Aside from those things, I was still in heaven - I love this band.
Re the ski mask thief - what a little motherfucker. :evil:
:evil: :-x
The balaclavas that have been sold at the shows - are they like the ones the band has (orange w/ black trim), or the ones the 10C has for sale (black w/ orange trim)? If this is the case, and this douche ever dared to wear it to a PJ-related function, he'd out himself as the thief by virtue of its orangeness. He's lucky I didn't see him, 'cause I would have been right behind the crew, ready to be backup for the showdown*. Having worked a lot of shows for my musician friend over the years (merch, tickets, assistant stuff, hauling stuff), I get uppity about people mucking with anything on anyone's stage. :problem: Touring is a weird beast. It's both exhausting and exhilarating, but the weight of each varies by the hour, let alone by the day. The distress of having something stolen - right off the stage - would make any level of exhaustion feel heavier. By the time I spoke to Jeff, he was as I described before. Hopefully he got some much-needed rest on the way back down the I-5.
Last night was also the first time I've ever heard a Kala U-bass in a rock band setting. Love those things; nearly bought one last month.
*I'm half-kidding.
http://www.quuit.com/Quu/listenlive/241
"Sitting in the red room at the Showbox with RNDM (Jeff Ament, Joseph Arthur & Richard Stuverud). We're about to go live with an interview on JetCitystream!"
Really? That's too bad. He was really nice & down to earth in Portland.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
Oh, and also, the stage at the Biltmore is very tiny, and obviously there was no room for their normal cool back drop on stage, so they had just written a big crooked "ACTS" on the back wall in what looked like duct tape.
http://s1343.beta.photobucket.com/user/Oracula/library/RNDM%20at%20the%20Biltmore
The drummer is a maniac. Fun to watch.
McCready joined the stage for Can't Exist right before the break. Jeff introduced him by saying "We'd like to bring up a friend, I don't think he knows how to play this song, I don't think he's even heard it". Mike watched Authur like a hawk for the chord changes (who lost a string on his guitar a couple of minutes into the song), then killed it dueling solos with Authur.
I hope the guys get a good rest. I'd love to see them again.
Not sure what mood he was in Montreal. Joe & Richard were cool dudes. Hanging out by the back of the club. They must of been there for almost 30 minutes or so before security told us all to get our butts out of the building. I've seen a few pics posted on Twitter & Facebook of few fans taking pictures & meeting Jeff that night in Montreal. Not sure how. Either stalked them @ the back of the loading docks or something cause we were with Joseph & Richard those minutes before we were escorted out of the building. I wasn't @ the Ottawa show. Heard Jeff also that night didn't hang out for a meet & greet. At the Toronto show, he made his way back to the people!! He was out in full force that night!
Many thanks!
73864_524345694243936_867496626_n by ricoborrego, on Flickr
Then, I was able to get to the showbox to get right up front and in the middle of the stage with Marcus. The show was amazing, especially since Mike McCready came out and melted all of our faces for "Can't Explain." Got some awesome pics and stickers. After the show we waited it out a little bit and Joseph Arthur came out, got him to sign my ticket and got a picture with him;
59047_524345924243913_477573832_n by ricoborrego, on Flickr
Then got Richard Stuverud to sign my other ticket and then Mike came out and not only got to talk to him and get his autograph, also got a picture with him;
604040_10151953630191777_811347478_n by ricoborrego, on Flickr
The night was mind blowing and a full review with more picture later....now, it is naptime.
Eddie Vedder- 7/16/11
Brad- 4/21/12 (RSD Performance), 4/27/12, 8/10/12
Flight To Mars- 5/23/12
RNDM- 11/27/12
PEARL JAM- 12/6/13 I have finally seen Pearl Jam live!
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
Haven't seen any yet up on YouTube / Vimeo. Hopefully someone was able to audience record this baby & spread it to the heavens ...
Part of me thinks that Jeff probably hates how many fans just want a piece of him or just want pics and autographs for multiple items. Being exploited and used would certainly turn me off from talking to fans; it's just a bummer that those of us who are harmless don't get a chance to say thank you, while those who are photo whores or autograph whores end up getting his precious time.
I made that toque he's wearing!! I gave it to him after the show and finally had a chance to say thank you to a member of Pearl Jam!!
It was the first time I had ever met any of the guys and it's funny, but it felt very normal to be able to talk to him, I guess because I feel like I know them all after all these years... even though they don't know me. Anyway, it was a good experience for me, I wouldn't expect any more from Jeff than to be polite and put up with all of us hanging around waiting for him, and I thought he was very gracious. Maybe he's just not a super outgoing guy. He put on the hat I gave him and even if he never wears it again, it still made me happy!
See, and I've been thinking the last couple of days that I may have been too forward meeting him in Milwaukee. As soon as he came outside I think I said "Hi; could I get a picture quick?" And he said yeah, let me go put my stuff on the bus first, and then he came back and signed and posed for EVERYONE. I think it was a combination of nerves and severe cold with me. I even barely talked to Richard while he hung out with us outside for the same reasons. Even still, I feel very privileged to have met the guys and to have seen such a great show up close & personal.
Thanks, I hope so! It's my new dream to stumble across a photo of him wearing it at some other random (or RNDM!) event. How awesome would that be!!??
and...
:fp: What the fuck? Why did I just buy that? I'm in job action with my union. I can't afford this poster, but just bought it anyway. I have a problem. :oops: But I am feeling just so in love with RNDM now! I couldn't help it! And I really dig that poster. :fp: ... But it looks like it's already gone, so now I'm less disgusted with myself, and pretty please I got in on it.
I think you were fine. I didn't even get a pic with him, though I did with Richard. He seemed a little miffed about the guy who wanted his guitar signed though, esp. when the guy initially wanted a picture of him and the guitar.