Long Time, First Time
Long time reader of the forum, first time poster.
Ten- The first time I encountered Pearl Jam was in late November 1991 when watching Headbanger’s Ball on MTV at a friend’s house (who was a big time metal head). Earlier that summer, I had gone to Lollapalooza 1991 as my first concert and was deep into alternative bands such as Jane’s Addiction, The Pixies, The Cure, NIN, The Replacements and punk bands like Black Flag and Dead Kennedys. By the end of 1991, I had also gotten into Nirvana and Soundgarden and was excited about the “Seattle sound” that was being played up in Spin, Alternative Press and Rolling Stone.
I remember Riki Rachtman teasing and talking up the video for Alive by this new band from Seattle called Pearl Jam. I had read about them, but never heard anything. When the video was finally played I will have to say that I was actually underwhelmed. The song was slower and more classic rock than I had expected, especially for being on Headbanger’s Ball.
Eventually after a few more views on MTV, Alive grew on me and I got Ten on cassette for my birthday that December. After that they quickly became one of my favorite bands with Once, Even Flow, Why Go and Porch being played in frequent rotation.
I tried to see PJ with RHCP and Smashing Pumpkins when that tour came to the Rocky Point Pavilion in Rhode Island, but my friends all bailed. Finally got to see them live during Lollapalooza 1992 on the first day of the Mansfield, MA tour dates.
Favorites songs- Release, Even Flow
VS- Came out the first semester of my freshman year at college. Was going to school about 25 miles outside Boston. Nine of us from my dorm pilled into a pick up truck, of the only kid we knew with a vehicle, and drove in the city to wait in line for the midnight release of VS. We waited for hours at the Tower Records on the corner of Newbury and Mass Ave on that Monday night. Was pissed that I was one of the people who drew the short straw and had to ride home in the bed of the pick up and could not listen to the album being played in the cab. When we got back to campus those in the cab were raving about VS. I ran into the dorm and grabbed my Discman. Skipped class the next day to listen to the album a few more times.
Favorite songs- Small Town, Leash
Vitalogy- By the time this came out my sophomore year, I did not have to buy a copy because everyone on campus owned one and played it non stop. Despite the fact that this is a fantastic album, the white hats and jocks played it so much on endless loops (especially Betterman, Not For You and Corduroy) that I actually got burnt out on the band and started to listen to them less. This began my dark phase of Pearl Jam.
Favorite songs- Whipping, Satan’s Bed
No Code- My friend that I hosted a radio show with used to play some tracks form this album from time to time on during the broadcast, but I never go into it during its release. This was also largely ignored by the other kids at school as they continued to play VItalogy and VS in heavy rotation.
Favorite songs- In My Tree, Present Tense
Yield- The only thing I remember about this album when it came out was the video for Do The Evolution. I was working as a manager at a Coconuts record store and this was one of the only videos worth watching on the monitors that played all day. During an 8 hour shift you would see the same videos 5-6 times a day on average and Evolution was the one ray of sunshine.
Favorite songs- Do The Evolution, Low Light
Binaural & Riot Act- Both were released and I never heard either until years later.
Favorite songs- Insignificance, Nothing As It Seems
Favorite songs- Ghost, Green Disease
Pearl Jam- Was given to me as a gift by friend. It was the first time I actively listed to PJ since Vitalogy and I really enjoyed the album. This is what re-ignited my passion for the band. Also know as the my rebirth of PJ.
Favorite songs- World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand
Backspacer- The was the first PJ album that I went and purchased the day it came out since VS was released. Was really excited when PJ played the 1st episode of The Tonight Show w/ Conan.
Favorite songs- Unthought Known, Got Some
It was during this time that I got into Pearl Jam more than I ever had before. I worked backwards through the catalog to give proper listens to and fall in love with No Code, Yield, Binaural and Riot Act. Binaural became one of my favorite albums and I was mad I had not discovered it for so many years. I also enjoyed going back and listening to Vitalogy on my own terms vs being forced to listen to a hand full of song repetitively. Started to collect their official bootlegs. I have about 5-6 shows from tours supporting each album to make sure I have a representative mix from each era. My two favorites are Philly 10/27/09 and Gorge 7/23/06.
Lightening Bolt- Went to see PJ at Wrigley in 2013 for the first time since 1992. My 21 year gap between seeing them live was not by choice. Lack of funds and life (wife and kids) got in the way. Recently, I lost my job at the place I had worked for 18 years. It was pretty tough being out of work having previously been to bread winner for the family. Pearl Jam’s music became an even bigger part of my life during this time and helped bring lots of joy to otherwise dreadful days. Got a ticket to Wrigley 2 for this summer and am over the moon excited waiting for the show.
Favorite songs- Pendulum, Swallowed Whole
Thanks for reading. Apologies for the long post. Had 25 years of PJ to share.
Ten- The first time I encountered Pearl Jam was in late November 1991 when watching Headbanger’s Ball on MTV at a friend’s house (who was a big time metal head). Earlier that summer, I had gone to Lollapalooza 1991 as my first concert and was deep into alternative bands such as Jane’s Addiction, The Pixies, The Cure, NIN, The Replacements and punk bands like Black Flag and Dead Kennedys. By the end of 1991, I had also gotten into Nirvana and Soundgarden and was excited about the “Seattle sound” that was being played up in Spin, Alternative Press and Rolling Stone.
I remember Riki Rachtman teasing and talking up the video for Alive by this new band from Seattle called Pearl Jam. I had read about them, but never heard anything. When the video was finally played I will have to say that I was actually underwhelmed. The song was slower and more classic rock than I had expected, especially for being on Headbanger’s Ball.
Eventually after a few more views on MTV, Alive grew on me and I got Ten on cassette for my birthday that December. After that they quickly became one of my favorite bands with Once, Even Flow, Why Go and Porch being played in frequent rotation.
I tried to see PJ with RHCP and Smashing Pumpkins when that tour came to the Rocky Point Pavilion in Rhode Island, but my friends all bailed. Finally got to see them live during Lollapalooza 1992 on the first day of the Mansfield, MA tour dates.
Favorites songs- Release, Even Flow
VS- Came out the first semester of my freshman year at college. Was going to school about 25 miles outside Boston. Nine of us from my dorm pilled into a pick up truck, of the only kid we knew with a vehicle, and drove in the city to wait in line for the midnight release of VS. We waited for hours at the Tower Records on the corner of Newbury and Mass Ave on that Monday night. Was pissed that I was one of the people who drew the short straw and had to ride home in the bed of the pick up and could not listen to the album being played in the cab. When we got back to campus those in the cab were raving about VS. I ran into the dorm and grabbed my Discman. Skipped class the next day to listen to the album a few more times.
Favorite songs- Small Town, Leash
Vitalogy- By the time this came out my sophomore year, I did not have to buy a copy because everyone on campus owned one and played it non stop. Despite the fact that this is a fantastic album, the white hats and jocks played it so much on endless loops (especially Betterman, Not For You and Corduroy) that I actually got burnt out on the band and started to listen to them less. This began my dark phase of Pearl Jam.
Favorite songs- Whipping, Satan’s Bed
No Code- My friend that I hosted a radio show with used to play some tracks form this album from time to time on during the broadcast, but I never go into it during its release. This was also largely ignored by the other kids at school as they continued to play VItalogy and VS in heavy rotation.
Favorite songs- In My Tree, Present Tense
Yield- The only thing I remember about this album when it came out was the video for Do The Evolution. I was working as a manager at a Coconuts record store and this was one of the only videos worth watching on the monitors that played all day. During an 8 hour shift you would see the same videos 5-6 times a day on average and Evolution was the one ray of sunshine.
Favorite songs- Do The Evolution, Low Light
Binaural & Riot Act- Both were released and I never heard either until years later.
Favorite songs- Insignificance, Nothing As It Seems
Favorite songs- Ghost, Green Disease
Pearl Jam- Was given to me as a gift by friend. It was the first time I actively listed to PJ since Vitalogy and I really enjoyed the album. This is what re-ignited my passion for the band. Also know as the my rebirth of PJ.
Favorite songs- World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand
Backspacer- The was the first PJ album that I went and purchased the day it came out since VS was released. Was really excited when PJ played the 1st episode of The Tonight Show w/ Conan.
Favorite songs- Unthought Known, Got Some
It was during this time that I got into Pearl Jam more than I ever had before. I worked backwards through the catalog to give proper listens to and fall in love with No Code, Yield, Binaural and Riot Act. Binaural became one of my favorite albums and I was mad I had not discovered it for so many years. I also enjoyed going back and listening to Vitalogy on my own terms vs being forced to listen to a hand full of song repetitively. Started to collect their official bootlegs. I have about 5-6 shows from tours supporting each album to make sure I have a representative mix from each era. My two favorites are Philly 10/27/09 and Gorge 7/23/06.
Lightening Bolt- Went to see PJ at Wrigley in 2013 for the first time since 1992. My 21 year gap between seeing them live was not by choice. Lack of funds and life (wife and kids) got in the way. Recently, I lost my job at the place I had worked for 18 years. It was pretty tough being out of work having previously been to bread winner for the family. Pearl Jam’s music became an even bigger part of my life during this time and helped bring lots of joy to otherwise dreadful days. Got a ticket to Wrigley 2 for this summer and am over the moon excited waiting for the show.
Favorite songs- Pendulum, Swallowed Whole
Thanks for reading. Apologies for the long post. Had 25 years of PJ to share.
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'13: 10/27 Baltimore
'15: 9/26 New York City
'16: 4/16 Greenville (VS!), 4/26 Lexington, 4/28 Philly, 8/20 Wrigley
'18: 9/02 Fenway
'22: 9/16 Nashville
’24: 8/26 Noblesville, 9/12 Baltimore
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