It was nice to hear Eddie and Jeff speak at such length, especially after so many years of relative silence, but this interview was such a missed opportunity. Here is Pearl Jam with a new album, their first in over six years, and there was minimal discussion of the content of this album. (Look at the Variety piece with Josh Evans for contrast.) What ideas were animating you when you wrote and recorded this album? What were you trying to say with these songs? Jeff, tell me about the songs you wrote for this album. Why did he spend so much time discussing the 1990s? This era has been documented in excruciating detail in various media. The answer to the question is because that's the period when Simmons paid a lot of attention to Pearl Jam, and he sees everything through the filter of his own experience. More than once, he either said or implied, "You peaked in the 1990s." Who says that to a band here to talk about its exciting and long-anticipated new release?
How many times do you think Simmons has sat down with "Gigatron" (sic) since he was fortunate to get his hands on a copy of it long before its official release? I mean, actually sat down with the music-- not as background-- reading the lyrics and thinking about the content of the songs, presumably knowing that he was going to have this almost unprecedented opportunity to converse with band members and formulating questions about this new material. Pearl Jam (especially Ed) are famously reticent to delve into the meaning of particular songs, and that's their prerogative, but ask the questions and let them answer or not answer.
When Simmons brought up the Great Woods show 1998 (one of two shows at that venue on consecutive nights that year) and then talked about how "super-nerdy" Pearl Jam websites agree that it was one of the greatest shows they ever played, it revealed his solipsism.
This was a nice conversation that I'm glad I was able to hear, but I would love to hear a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer with a broad understanding of contemporary popular music and the catalog of this band get this same opportunity to do an in-depth interview that's not equally about the interviewer.
Sounded like Ed had some help locally recording the audio (plus Skype) and sent Simmons the file, wish Jeff did the same.
You can tell Bill is a big but casual fan, not like us. That being said he did a good mix of everything - the bands history, Seattle, covid19 changing the tour, the new album and sports. Of course we all wish there was more hardcore fan stuff but that was never going to happen.
Ed was pretty funny throughout and gave some great stories which was surprising, guess he’s better at this sort of thing than he realizes. Jeff you can tell likes his personal space and has no problem being fairly direct but his love of sports was awesome. I wish those guys would do more media related stuff.
overall I enjoyed it and hope it’s a sign of more things like this to come.
Beacon '08
Philly 2-4 '09
Newark '10
MSG 1+2 '10
E.V. Beacon 1+2 '11
Made in America Festival '12
Worcester 1+2 '13
Brooklyn 1+2 '13
Global Citizens Festival '15
MSG 1+2 '16
Fenway Park 1+2 '16 Ohana '17 Home Shows 1+2 '18 Ohana '18 Ohana '19 Sea Hear Now '21 Ohana '21 LA 1+2 '22 Austin 1+2 '23 Ohana '23 Vegas 1+2 '24 LA 1+2 '24 MSG 1+2 '24 Ohana '24
Sounded like Ed had some help locally recording the audio (plus Skype) and sent Simmons the file, wish Jeff did the same.
You can tell Bill is a big but casual fan, not like us. That being said he did a good mix of everything - the bands history, Seattle, covid19 changing the tour, the new album and sports. Of course we all wish there was more hardcore fan stuff but that was never going to happen.
Ed was pretty funny throughout and gave some great stories which was surprising, guess he’s better at this sort of thing than he realizes. Jeff you can tell likes his personal space and has no problem being fairly direct but his love of sports was awesome. I wish those guys would do more media related stuff.
overall I enjoyed it and hope it’s a sign of more things like this to come.
I just watched a video on a PJ superfan who collects everything and has met and knows the band a bit. (I guess many of you know him and he is here)
Anyway he said he met Eddie and Ed likes him, Mike likes him, Stone tolerates him, Matt is ambivalent and Jeff does not like him.
Jeff not down with the stalkers and yes likes his privacy.
It was nice to hear Eddie and Jeff speak at such length, especially after so many years of relative silence, but this interview was such a missed opportunity. Here is Pearl Jam with a new album, their first in over six years, and there was minimal discussion of the content of this album. (Look at the Variety piece with Josh Evans for contrast.) What ideas were animating you when you wrote and recorded this album? What were you trying to say with these songs? Jeff, tell me about the songs you wrote for this album. Why did he spend so much time discussing the 1990s? This era has been documented in excruciating detail in various media. The answer to the question is because that's the period when Simmons paid a lot of attention to Pearl Jam, and he sees everything through the filter of his own experience. More than once, he either said or implied, "You peaked in the 1990s." Who says that to a band here to talk about its exciting and long-anticipated new release?
How many times do you think Simmons has sat down with "Gigatron" (sic) since he was fortunate to get his hands on a copy of it long before its official release? I mean, actually sat down with the music-- not as background-- reading the lyrics and thinking about the content of the songs, presumably knowing that he was going to have this almost unprecedented opportunity to converse with band members and formulating questions about this new material. Pearl Jam (especially Ed) are famously reticent to delve into the meaning of particular songs, and that's their prerogative, but ask the questions and let them answer or not answer.
When Simmons brought up the Great Woods show 1998 (one of two shows at that venue on consecutive nights that year) and then talked about how "super-nerdy" Pearl Jam websites agree that it was one of the greatest shows they ever played, it revealed his solipsism.
This was a nice conversation that I'm glad I was able to hear, but I would love to hear a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer with a broad understanding of contemporary popular music and the catalog of this band get this same opportunity to do an in-depth interview that's not equally about the interviewer.
It was nice to hear Eddie and Jeff speak at such length, especially after so many years of relative silence, but this interview was such a missed opportunity. Here is Pearl Jam with a new album, their first in over six years, and there was minimal discussion of the content of this album. (Look at the Variety piece with Josh Evans for contrast.) What ideas were animating you when you wrote and recorded this album? What were you trying to say with these songs? Jeff, tell me about the songs you wrote for this album. Why did he spend so much time discussing the 1990s? This era has been documented in excruciating detail in various media. The answer to the question is because that's the period when Simmons paid a lot of attention to Pearl Jam, and he sees everything through the filter of his own experience. More than once, he either said or implied, "You peaked in the 1990s." Who says that to a band here to talk about its exciting and long-anticipated new release?
How many times do you think Simmons has sat down with "Gigatron" (sic) since he was fortunate to get his hands on a copy of it long before its official release? I mean, actually sat down with the music-- not as background-- reading the lyrics and thinking about the content of the songs, presumably knowing that he was going to have this almost unprecedented opportunity to converse with band members and formulating questions about this new material. Pearl Jam (especially Ed) are famously reticent to delve into the meaning of particular songs, and that's their prerogative, but ask the questions and let them answer or not answer.
When Simmons brought up the Great Woods show 1998 (one of two shows at that venue on consecutive nights that year) and then talked about how "super-nerdy" Pearl Jam websites agree that it was one of the greatest shows they ever played, it revealed his solipsism.
This was a nice conversation that I'm glad I was able to hear, but I would love to hear a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer with a broad understanding of contemporary popular music and the catalog of this band get this same opportunity to do an in-depth interview that's not equally about the interviewer.
That's just not who Simmons is. He doesn't have a musical background nor is he a reviewer. He probably put the album on while working and liked what he heard. He's a sports/pop culture guy. It's not surprising he often went back to a time when Pearl Jam was at their most popular. I thought he did as good as job as capable mixing in some history, sports stuff, and talking about present day issues.
It was nice to hear Eddie and Jeff speak at such length, especially after so many years of relative silence, but this interview was such a missed opportunity. Here is Pearl Jam with a new album, their first in over six years, and there was minimal discussion of the content of this album. (Look at the Variety piece with Josh Evans for contrast.) What ideas were animating you when you wrote and recorded this album? What were you trying to say with these songs? Jeff, tell me about the songs you wrote for this album. Why did he spend so much time discussing the 1990s? This era has been documented in excruciating detail in various media. The answer to the question is because that's the period when Simmons paid a lot of attention to Pearl Jam, and he sees everything through the filter of his own experience. More than once, he either said or implied, "You peaked in the 1990s." Who says that to a band here to talk about its exciting and long-anticipated new release?
How many times do you think Simmons has sat down with "Gigatron" (sic) since he was fortunate to get his hands on a copy of it long before its official release? I mean, actually sat down with the music-- not as background-- reading the lyrics and thinking about the content of the songs, presumably knowing that he was going to have this almost unprecedented opportunity to converse with band members and formulating questions about this new material. Pearl Jam (especially Ed) are famously reticent to delve into the meaning of particular songs, and that's their prerogative, but ask the questions and let them answer or not answer.
When Simmons brought up the Great Woods show 1998 (one of two shows at that venue on consecutive nights that year) and then talked about how "super-nerdy" Pearl Jam websites agree that it was one of the greatest shows they ever played, it revealed his solipsism.
This was a nice conversation that I'm glad I was able to hear, but I would love to hear a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer with a broad understanding of contemporary popular music and the catalog of this band get this same opportunity to do an in-depth interview that's not equally about the interviewer.
I loved the podcast. It was so fun to just hear them talk casually. Not sure if this has been said yet but...drink every time you hear Eddie's zippo light up.
I loved the podcast. It was so fun to just hear them talk casually. Not sure if this has been said yet but...drink every time you hear Eddie's zippo light up.
That would get you even more drunk than if you drank every time Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the word "ventilator."
I loved the podcast. It was so fun to just hear them talk casually. Not sure if this has been said yet but...drink every time you hear Eddie's zippo light up.
Nothing about music in this interview. It would have been nice to learn about the creative process. We get that Bill Simmons likes basketball.
I agree... Bill has a one track mind and it always runs through basketball. But to be fair... Ed rarely gives up much inside info. He was asked a couple of music/concert related questions that he flat out refused to provide an answer for. Ed likes to talk about other bands and sports but he really doesn’t open the vault on his creative process too much. I don’t think you can really blame that too much on Bill.
1996: Randall's Island 2 1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2 2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel 2005: Atlantic City 1 2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV) 2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4 2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2 2011: Toronto 1 2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore 2015: Central Park 2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD) 2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF) 2020: MSG | Asbury Park2021: Asbury Park 2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville 2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore
Comments
How many times do you think Simmons has sat down with "Gigatron" (sic) since he was fortunate to get his hands on a copy of it long before its official release? I mean, actually sat down with the music-- not as background-- reading the lyrics and thinking about the content of the songs, presumably knowing that he was going to have this almost unprecedented opportunity to converse with band members and formulating questions about this new material. Pearl Jam (especially Ed) are famously reticent to delve into the meaning of particular songs, and that's their prerogative, but ask the questions and let them answer or not answer.
When Simmons brought up the Great Woods show 1998 (one of two shows at that venue on consecutive nights that year) and then talked about how "super-nerdy" Pearl Jam websites agree that it was one of the greatest shows they ever played, it revealed his solipsism.
This was a nice conversation that I'm glad I was able to hear, but I would love to hear a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer with a broad understanding of contemporary popular music and the catalog of this band get this same opportunity to do an in-depth interview that's not equally about the interviewer.
You can tell Bill is a big but casual fan, not like us. That being said he did a good mix of everything - the bands history, Seattle, covid19 changing the tour, the new album and sports. Of course we all wish there was more hardcore fan stuff but that was never going to happen.
Ed was pretty funny throughout and gave some great stories which was surprising, guess he’s better at this sort of thing than he realizes. Jeff you can tell likes his personal space and has no problem being fairly direct but his love of sports was awesome. I wish those guys would do more media related stuff.
overall I enjoyed it and hope it’s a sign of more things like this to come.
Philly 2-4 '09
Newark '10
MSG 1+2 '10
E.V. Beacon 1+2 '11
Made in America Festival '12
Worcester 1+2 '13
Brooklyn 1+2 '13
Global Citizens Festival '15
MSG 1+2 '16
Fenway Park 1+2 '16
Ohana '17
Home Shows 1+2 '18
Ohana '18
Ohana '19
Sea Hear Now '21
Ohana '21
LA 1+2 '22
Austin 1+2 '23
Ohana '23
Vegas 1+2 '24
LA 1+2 '24
MSG 1+2 '24
Ohana '24
https://twitter.com/pti/status/1243661828368019462?s=21
Jones Beach NY 1 + 3 - '00
MSG 1 + 2 - '03
Boston Garden - '04
Montreal - '05
Boston Garden 1, Meadowlands 1 + 2 - '06
Mansfield 1 - '08
(EV solo) Boston 1 - '08
Chicago 1 - '09
MSG -'10
Brooklyn 1+2 - '13
Central Park - '15
MSG - '16
Fenway - '16
Wrigley - '16
(RRHOF) Brooklyn - '17
Fenway - '18
MSG - '22
MSG 1 - '24
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Seattle, Seattle, Denver, Council Bluffs, Fargo, St. Paul, Chicago, Seattle, Gorge, Denver, Denver, Portland, Gorge, Gorge, Seattle, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
Great listen. Kind of awkward at times, but it was enjoyable and informative. He closed it by calling the album Gigatron lol.
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
That would get you even more drunk than if you drank every time Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the word "ventilator."