Matt Cameron News

pjl44

Complaining about stage banter is legitimate. If you buy tickets to a concert it's for music. Too much yapping can be tedious. I don’t bother going to Ted Leo shows anymore - great songs but dude does not shut up.

If you've seen a band multiple times and know what you're in for, good for you. Many people at a show are seeing the band for the first or second time. Reasonable to not expect or want long stories.

HughFreakingDillon

Unless you were at St Paul 2014, you have no right to complain about rambling. We got a 25 minute introduction to an EB doctor. 

But Ed's talking is part of the show. It always has been. And Bibleisten is right, it's gotten longer and more often during shows because he and Matt need breathers between songs. Not many people their age still bring the energy like they do; most just stand in place and sing/play. 

Force Of Nature

I love the stage banter and talking. Only person I’ve seen who competes with Ed is Brian Fallon, and I love it. Always makes the show unique and can tell the artist is in a good mood when chatting a lot.

mookeywrench

HughFreakingDillon said:

Unless you were at St Paul 2014, you have no right to complain about rambling. We got a 25 minute introduction to an EB doctor. 

But Ed's talking is part of the show. It always has been. And Bibleisten is right, it's gotten longer and more often during shows because he and Matt need breathers between songs. Not many people their age still bring the energy like they do; most just stand in place and sing/play. 

8.5 minutes, but that's still two forgettable songs we could have heard from lightning bolt instead.

Get_Right

If you do not like Ed's talking do not go see Pearl Jam. It is not complicated. Ed will talk. Every time.

HughFreakingDillon

mookeywrench said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Unless you were at St Paul 2014, you have no right to complain about rambling. We got a 25 minute introduction to an EB doctor. 

But Ed's talking is part of the show. It always has been. And Bibleisten is right, it's gotten longer and more often during shows because he and Matt need breathers between songs. Not many people their age still bring the energy like they do; most just stand in place and sing/play. 

8.5 minutes, but that's still two forgettable songs we could have heard from lightning bolt instead.

seemed like 25. 

Shaindli1

Ed's ramblings are not only legendary, they are some of my favorite things and most memorable moments from past shows and boots. 

THEBIBLEISTEN

Also, Jeff’s speech in Missoula last year was incredible!!! Who was there? 

TinaE

THEBIBLEISTEN said:

Not sure why these 2 are complaining about Ed and his talking? If you don’t like the talking at the shows, just stay home and complain on the internet like a good patriot. I think part of the stories at the shows is to give the guys in the band a breather between songs ( ex Matt) and also to engage with the audience. I know free speech is the hot topic this week but if people who don’t like what he’s talking about, just stay home, it’s Ed’s show and he has the mic. He’s earned the right to say what he wants. The guy has never changed his views in 34 years. Him and the band do a lot of good things for organizations and charities so they have the right to talk. One guy on here thinks Matt quit because of the way Ed answers questions on Howard Stern, haha, weak opinion man. Matt can do what he wants, he’s earned the right as well. PJ gave this guy a ready made rocket ship and it was great for 27 years. They don’t tour a lot so not sure what Matt’s talking about but I have met him a couple times and seems like a nice guy, grounded. Maybe he doesn’t like the travel anymore, or wants to be a lead singer. More power to him. But the trolls calling Ed a poor man’s Springsteen is just sad. I’m guessing they don’t agree with his political views so they need to try and put him down. Some people are just jealous of successful people and their only form of retaliation is to put them down on the internet.  Matt was great for pj and he will be missed but I doubt Matt left because of Ed’s/ the bands politics or how Ed answers questions . Just the weakest post ever imo. 

I completely agree with you on that.

Of The Aggie

I wouldn't stop seeing PJ just because of the talking but it does annoy me and thank goodness they put the talking at the end of the tracks on the boots so I can just skip to the next song!

Loujoe

Gern Blansten said:

I'm surprised he mentioned the three hour show when they haven't done that for years.

The band was clearly trying to make things work for him but I get it. Really looking forward to the SG album

I hope for a singer I like. Whatever

DL136722

TinaE said:

THEBIBLEISTEN said:

Not sure why these 2 are complaining about Ed and his talking? If you don’t like the talking at the shows, just stay home and complain on the internet like a good patriot. I think part of the stories at the shows is to give the guys in the band a breather between songs ( ex Matt) and also to engage with the audience. I know free speech is the hot topic this week but if people who don’t like what he’s talking about, just stay home, it’s Ed’s show and he has the mic. He’s earned the right to say what he wants. The guy has never changed his views in 34 years. Him and the band do a lot of good things for organizations and charities so they have the right to talk. One guy on here thinks Matt quit because of the way Ed answers questions on Howard Stern, haha, weak opinion man. Matt can do what he wants, he’s earned the right as well. PJ gave this guy a ready made rocket ship and it was great for 27 years. They don’t tour a lot so not sure what Matt’s talking about but I have met him a couple times and seems like a nice guy, grounded. Maybe he doesn’t like the travel anymore, or wants to be a lead singer. More power to him. But the trolls calling Ed a poor man’s Springsteen is just sad. I’m guessing they don’t agree with his political views so they need to try and put him down. Some people are just jealous of successful people and their only form of retaliation is to put them down on the internet.  Matt was great for pj and he will be missed but I doubt Matt left because of Ed’s/ the bands politics or how Ed answers questions . Just the weakest post ever imo. 

I completely agree with you on that.

I find it funny that folks on here think of themselves as open minded  then the minute someone says something they disagree with it gets crazy just like current society.  Personally, I'd like to see Ed be Ed, like most, I've been a fan of this band for a long time and I admire them for what they do and stand for but I do think Ed has gone from being his unique self to being one of many and that's ok, he can do what he wants and how he likes certainly doesn't mean everyone has to like it.  

And for the record, I didn't say Matt quit the band because of the way Ed answered questions on Howard.  My point was, the way he goes about doing things can wear on some over a period of time so relax.  Over the last 8 years or so, does he come across as a poor man's Bruce, yeah but if you like Bruce, that's not a bad thing, I'm just not that into Bruce.  

Lastly, my original point about stage banter was based on seeing other concerts recently and enjoying the limited banter, again, personally, I liked it.  I'm not expecting for Ed to do less bantering, I've been to 40 PJ shows and 6 of his solo shows, I'm fully aware that his stage banter is part of it but I can also have an opinion that I wish there was less of it while others would prefer more and disagreeing is ok but I haven't said anything negative about anyone thinking the opposite of me but others have no problem doing that to me but think as yourselves as objective.  I get it, Ed is GOD to some of you so to say anything other than glowing things is wrong but I'm willing to bet if PJ did a show with limited stage banter, just focused on their amazing catalog of songs you'd like it just as much as any other show, maybe more or maybe less, either way, it's ok, doesn't diminish the fact they're a great band and stand for amazing causes, most of which I agree with but sometimes you just want to go to a concert simply for the music.  

For those of you calling my post(s) weak, says a lot more about you than anything else.  Again, it's ok to disagree, no need to be go about the way you're reacting.  Are you going to hunt me down now and beat me up now?  Relax and be better

JG242853

Over the years, Ed has definitely gotten chattier.  I agree its part of the show now, and I love what he has to say. 

 In the past few years there's been a couple instances where the F-150 right wing bro near me in the auduence yells out - "Shut up and play!!" during a long take on politics (Philly 2024 N2).  And in Camden in 2022 there was a group of hecklers screaming, "What about the babys rights!!" when Ed went on about reproductive freedom.  These guys tried to instagate a full on fight with me and my friends becuase we were laughing at them.  They got dragged out by security. 

Anyway, I'm here for Ed's rambling... I'll also admit to be slightly annoyed just because in the back of my mind I'm saying to myself, "What song are we missing out on right now I've never heard live because Ed is really taking his time with this part" haha.  

DL136722

Of The Aggie said:

I wouldn't stop seeing PJ just because of the talking but it does annoy me and thank goodness they put the talking at the end of the tracks on the boots so I can just skip to the next song!

I agree wholeheartedly , well said

Gern Blansten

Hebejebe said:

Lots of people call a harmonica a harp or blues harp and Stevie does play a chromatic harmonica which has all 12 notes rather than the standard diatonic harmonica which just has the notes of the key it’s in

This...my grandpa always called his a harp

DL136722

pjl44 said:

Complaining about stage banter is legitimate. If you buy tickets to a concert it's for music. Too much yapping can be tedious. I don’t bother going to Ted Leo shows anymore - great songs but dude does not shut up.

If you've seen a band multiple times and know what you're in for, good for you. Many people at a show are seeing the band for the first or second time. Reasonable to not expect or want long stories.

I had this same conversation with a friend Saturday night at the Wolf Alice show.  She really enjoys stage banter and we went back n forth about it to the point it became comical anytime the lead singer said anything, we had fun with it.  For the record, Wolf Alice had limited stage banter which, for me, made for a great experience.  My friend also enjoyed the show and felt the stage banter was good enough to appease her appetite for it.  We also discussed the Pixies show that we both saw.  In my experience, Frank Black doesn't banter to much if at all during Pixies or solo shows which I like but she hated.  Again, my wife and I really enjoyed the show and my friend and her husband did as well but their only complaint was no bantering - I certainly don't think less of them for thinking that.

DL136722

Gern Blansten said:

Hebejebe said:

Lots of people call a harmonica a harp or blues harp and Stevie does play a chromatic harmonica which has all 12 notes rather than the standard diatonic harmonica which just has the notes of the key it’s in

This...my grandpa always called his a harp

Until he referred to it as so, I always heard it called a harmonica - same difference, now I know but I'll still call it a harmonica in passing conversation when it's brought up. 

DL136722

JG242853 said:

Over the years, Ed has definitely gotten chattier.  I agree its part of the show now, and I love what he has to say. 

 In the past few years there's been a couple instances where the F-150 right wing bro near me in the auduence yells out - "Shut up and play!!" during a long take on politics (Philly 2024 N2).  And in Camden in 2022 there was a group of hecklers screaming, "What about the babys rights!!" when Ed went on about reproductive freedom.  These guys tried to instagate a full on fight with me and my friends becuase we were laughing at them.  They got dragged out by security. 

Anyway, I'm here for Ed's rambling... I'll also admit to be slightly annoyed just because in the back of my mind I'm saying to myself, "What song are we missing out on right now I've never heard live because Ed is really taking his time with this part" haha.  

I'm right there with you, I say the same exact thing every time -  "What song are we missing out on right now I've never heard live because Ed is really taking his time with this part" I get it, it's mostly for a quick breather/break but does all that talking really give you break after singing?  Maybe but have a sip of wine and let Stone sing a song or let the guys do an instrumental jam like Brother or Cready Stomp - if not , no worries

DL136722

THEBIBLEISTEN said:

DL136722 said:

THEBIBLEISTEN said:

DL136722 said:

It's funny how signs are sort of front of you but you don't realize them until later.  When I watched them on Howard Stern's show while Eddie was talking about Waiting For Stevie, he described a harmonica as a chromatic harp, I got the sense that the other guys were like, "seriously?"  It was a weird energy that I didn't think much about but now that time has passed with Matt saying why he left, it makes me wonder if he just had enough of Eddie being Eddie, if so, I understand. 

I noticed in his recent interview, he mentioned recently talking to Jeff and Stone who he's obviously known longer so that makes sense but I can't help but think he was over Eddie being a poor man's Springsteen especially working on his own stuff and the new Soundgarden album, listening to CC's vocals and thinking how Chris was as a front man vs how Ed is.  Like most on here, I'm a huge fan, I've been lucky enough to go to a ton of their shows but fatherhood and growing up in general has changed Ed a bit, he's embraced his status which I don't fault him for one bit but I can see how fans and even bandmates feelings are affected.

It's amazing how they play 2.5-3hr shows changing the setlist each night then cutting it down a bit and now we know why but one could argue that if Ed simply did less talking that would reduce the length of the show.  This past year I've been lucky enough to see Jack White, QOTSA and NIN, all 3 had very little talking/banter or storytelling and just smashed through their amazing sets.  Personally, I think PJ is better than all those bands but the talking about baseball buddies and bringing celebs onstage is sort of lame & unneeded and maybe Matt felt the same way.  It should be about the music not the spectacle that comes with it.

Whatever the case, PJ is still going on which is always a good thing and Matt is continuing on as well with his projects which are awesome so overall though sad, the party continues.

I think you are reaching a lot 

Possibly but we'll actually never know

So just make stuff up based on your assumptions ? Weak take imo. Actually one of the worst ones I have read on here. Just my opinion. 

99% of the post on the forum are assumptions, you simply don't like mine and that's ok.  If you think that's one of worst, ty, I strive to be the best at whatever I do, appreciate the acknowledgement.  Please, keep having your opinions, they're very enlightening :-) 

DL136722

deb1211 said:

I love Ed's storytelling and rambling. He gets a singing break and we get some fun stories that are often specific to the area of the show. I think it makes the shows more unique and personal. 

As far as his word choice, he is a songwriter . Words are part of his instrument. I think he even studies the dictionary.

I agree but I suspect that some of that is forced because he doesn't want to be known as an uneducated dumb musician especially when he's talking about politics.