So...what does this band mean to you?

arq

PJ is very important to me.

Evergreen

oh...I have to REALLY restrain myself to stay out of the politics and just post in reference to the original thread subject. I LOOOOOOVE politics and heated discussions! I actually don’t mind Ed’s statements or rants. It is part of him, fuels his passion and enables him to write meaningful songs.

Anyway...

What does Pearl Jam mean to me? I am going to enjoy doing this because I am assuming most of you are like minded individuals, you know, being on this board and such. I have never really been able to convey my feelings of "What Pearl Jam means to me" to my real life friends and for that matter, my family, because when I attempt to, I usually get...

*blank stare*

This is such a simple question when you read it, but it has evoked the most complex sub-questions in my mind, as I try to answer it. It is a loaded question. As I am compiling my answer, questions arise. Why Me? Why this band and not Coldplay? Why does music affect me more deeply than my neighbor? I am lacking something in my life and am making up for it by replacing it with music? On and on and on and on.

I don't think I can even answer this question. Music has the ability to tap into the mysterious, deep well of my emotions It is not possible for me to explain this in ordinary language, as it can only be felt. Music has always been my boyfriend, my drug. As a kid as early as 6, it could take me away. I can remember choregraphing dances in my head, and totally unaware of anything around me. I hung out with bands all through school in Deep Ellum in Dallas and 6th Street in Austin. It has been the underlying force that has taken me, and helped me through, every stage of life. It makes my world cease to exist for a moment. I get lost, I get overwhelmed, I feel. In other words, it makes my soul dance.

Then, the real world kicked in and I got married young and had a kid right away, was working full time so I could continue school and live my dream of being an environmental lawyer. It was all too hard, and I gave myself up for what others said I needed to be. I was drowning in suburbia. That was in 1991. I was 24 and felt I had lived my life already.

As what I see as fate, I went out with one of my best girlfriends on 12/11/91. We went to our usual hangout in Deep Ellum, one of them being Trees. You could not get in the place. Luckily, her brother was in town and knew most of the club owners in the area. He was in a San Diego band called The Rugburns and we got in. He said we needed to see this band. They were called Pearl Jam. They opened with Wash and I was lost once again, and knew I could never lose that feeling again as I once had, and need to fight to get “me” back. It had an epiphany that night. Yes, this sounds trite and all, but I felt ALIVE.

I have lost myself several more times after 1991. And this band has always helped me out of that deep, dark well. It might be a concert, or just a fucking line from a song. “Release” encouraged me to open communication with my Dad who I had not spoken to for years. Life Wasted (the world awaits you just up the stair, leave the pain for someone else, nothing back there for you to find, or was it you, you left behind) literally pulled me out of that well that I might never have returned from. Present Tense got me to the person that I now am and that I now love.

Pearl Jam’s music, their songs, have been the soundtrack to my life in so many aspects. It is always the right time at the right place. ALWAYS. Many times, it has been a wakeup call. Their music takes my mind on a journey that I am unable to lead myself. It endows me not only aesthetically, but provides intellectual pleasure as well. It touches my soul and leaves an imprint, preparing it for something higher.

This was ridiculously long, but it just need to come out. I guess all I am trying to say is that Pearl Jam means a whole fucking lot to me. I owe them “me”.

cincybearcat

What does Pearl Jam mean to me....

Great Music
Great lyrics
Music with meaning and feeling
Having the courage of your convictions

I probably disagree with the band's political point-of-view more often than I agree with it, but I love that they care and they walk the talk. Does it go to far...sometimes, but it's better to care than be ambivalent....even if you disagree with them.

Lizard

The band means a lot---puts me in a good place.

And when I hear their music in an unexpected place or unexpected time, my hear skips a beat!!! :oops:

U R A Crazy Breed

Evergreen888 wrote:

oh...I have to REALLY restrain myself to stay out of the politics and just post in reference to the original thread subject. I LOOOOOOVE politics and heated discussions! I actually don’t mind Ed’s statements or rants. It is part of him, fuels his passion and enables him to write meaningful songs.

Anyway...

What does Pearl Jam mean to me? I am going to enjoy doing this because I am assuming most of you are like minded individuals, you know, being on this board and such. I have never really been able to convey my feelings of "What Pearl Jam means to me" to my real life friends and for that matter, my family, because when I attempt to, I usually get...

*blank stare*

This is such a simple question when you read it, but it has evoked the most complex sub-questions in my mind, as I try to answer it. It is a loaded question. As I am compiling my answer, questions arise. Why Me? Why this band and not Coldplay? Why does music affect me more deeply than my neighbor? I am lacking something in my life and am making up for it by replacing it with music? On and on and on and on.

I don't think I can even answer this question. Music has the ability to tap into the mysterious, deep well of my emotions It is not possible for me to explain this in ordinary language, as it can only be felt. Music has always been my boyfriend, my drug. As a kid as early as 6, it could take me away. I can remember choregraphing dances in my head, and totally unaware of anything around me. I hung out with bands all through school in Deep Ellum in Dallas and 6th Street in Austin. It has been the underlying force that has taken me, and helped me through, every stage of life. It makes my world cease to exist for a moment. I get lost, I get overwhelmed, I feel. In other words, it makes my soul dance.

Then, the real world kicked in and I got married young and had a kid right away, was working full time so I could continue school and live my dream of being an environmental lawyer. It was all too hard, and I gave myself up for what others said I needed to be. I was drowning in suburbia. That was in 1991. I was 24 and felt I had lived my life already.

As what I see as fate, I went out with one of my best girlfriends on 12/11/91. We went to our usual hangout in Deep Ellum, one of them being Trees. You could not get in the place. Luckily, her brother was in town and knew most of the club owners in the area. He was in a San Diego band called The Rugburns and we got in. He said we needed to see this band. They were called Pearl Jam. They opened with Wash and I was lost once again, and knew I could never lose that feeling again as I once had, and need to fight to get “me” back. It had an epiphany that night. Yes, this sounds trite and all, but I felt ALIVE.

I have lost myself several more times after 1991. And this band has always helped me out of that deep, dark well. It might be a concert, or just a fucking line from a song. “Release” encouraged me to open communication with my Dad who I had not spoken to for years. Life Wasted (the world awaits you just up the stair, leave the pain for someone else, nothing back there for you to find, or was it you, you left behind) literally pulled me out of that well that I might never have returned from. Present Tense got me to the person that I now am and that I now love.

Pearl Jam’s music, their songs, have been the soundtrack to my life in so many aspects. It is always the right time at the right place. ALWAYS. Many times, it has been a wakeup call. Their music takes my mind on a journey that I am unable to lead myself. It endows me not only aesthetically, but provides intellectual pleasure as well. It touches my soul and leaves an imprint, preparing it for something higher.

This was ridiculously long, but it just need to come out. I guess all I am trying to say is that Pearl Jam means a whole fucking lot to me. I owe them “me”.

awesome post! now that's what i'm talking about! you obviously put a lot of thought into your post and why wouldn't you, when there is so much meaning to be found inside...deep inside...it's almost unexplainable in some ways..at least for me.

thanks for sharing!!

JonnyPistachio

Evergreen888 wrote:

oh...I have to REALLY restrain myself to stay out of the politics and just post in reference to the original thread subject. I LOOOOOOVE politics and heated discussions! I actually don’t mind Ed’s statements or rants. It is part of him, fuels his passion and enables him to write meaningful songs.

Anyway...

What does Pearl Jam mean to me? I am going to enjoy doing this because I am assuming most of you are like minded individuals, you know, being on this board and such. I have never really been able to convey my feelings of "What Pearl Jam means to me" to my real life friends and for that matter, my family, because when I attempt to, I usually get...

*blank stare*

This is such a simple question when you read it, but it has evoked the most complex sub-questions in my mind, as I try to answer it. It is a loaded question. As I am compiling my answer, questions arise. Why Me? Why this band and not Coldplay? Why does music affect me more deeply than my neighbor? I am lacking something in my life and am making up for it by replacing it with music? On and on and on and on.

I don't think I can even answer this question. Music has the ability to tap into the mysterious, deep well of my emotions It is not possible for me to explain this in ordinary language, as it can only be felt. Music has always been my boyfriend, my drug. As a kid as early as 6, it could take me away. I can remember choregraphing dances in my head, and totally unaware of anything around me. I hung out with bands all through school in Deep Ellum in Dallas and 6th Street in Austin. It has been the underlying force that has taken me, and helped me through, every stage of life. It makes my world cease to exist for a moment. I get lost, I get overwhelmed, I feel. In other words, it makes my soul dance.

Then, the real world kicked in and I got married young and had a kid right away, was working full time so I could continue school and live my dream of being an environmental lawyer. It was all too hard, and I gave myself up for what others said I needed to be. I was drowning in suburbia. That was in 1991. I was 24 and felt I had lived my life already.

As what I see as fate, I went out with one of my best girlfriends on 12/11/91. We went to our usual hangout in Deep Ellum, one of them being Trees. You could not get in the place. Luckily, her brother was in town and knew most of the club owners in the area. He was in a San Diego band called The Rugburns and we got in. He said we needed to see this band. They were called Pearl Jam. They opened with Wash and I was lost once again, and knew I could never lose that feeling again as I once had, and need to fight to get “me” back. It had an epiphany that night. Yes, this sounds trite and all, but I felt ALIVE.

I have lost myself several more times after 1991. And this band has always helped me out of that deep, dark well. It might be a concert, or just a fucking line from a song. “Release” encouraged me to open communication with my Dad who I had not spoken to for years. Life Wasted (the world awaits you just up the stair, leave the pain for someone else, nothing back there for you to find, or was it you, you left behind) literally pulled me out of that well that I might never have returned from. Present Tense got me to the person that I now am and that I now love.

Pearl Jam’s music, their songs, have been the soundtrack to my life in so many aspects. It is always the right time at the right place. ALWAYS. Many times, it has been a wakeup call. Their music takes my mind on a journey that I am unable to lead myself. It endows me not only aesthetically, but provides intellectual pleasure as well. It touches my soul and leaves an imprint, preparing it for something higher.

This was ridiculously long, but it just need to come out. I guess all I am trying to say is that Pearl Jam means a whole fucking lot to me. I owe them “me”.

Wow, that was a good read. I love when people share such awesome personal experiences that are attached to a particular song. I think Present Tense did the same thing for me. And Hard to Imagine has inspired me in so many ways I cant begin to explain.
Very cool that you saw them so ealry on. I bet that was quite the experience.

Spags

Not to turn this into a therapy session, but initially I’d say Pearl Jam’s music helped me process how I felt about my dad walking out when I was little. I always managed to twist Eddie’s words to fit what my mind needed to get some catharsis going on. Things disappear in life and change wildly, yet bizarrely this band has been one of the things I’ve always been able to depend upon and my relationship with their music is one of the longest I’ve had. You know when Eddie sings the higher part of Immortality “Can not stop the thought…”? That feeling doesn’t go away no matter how many times I hear it.

fortyshades

What does this band mean to me?

A philosophy; an stand on how to look on life. It transcends to me politics.

Lone Wolf

It´s not just the music though obviously that´s the reason I got into them...
Sad to say I think Obama appears to be a fraud indeed......It´s Wall Street etc. dictating once again.......

Meet the new boss.......

In Europe banks already act like there´s never been a crisis...It´s fucked up :twisted: .....Don´t know ´bout the U.S. though....

Backspacer_Backer

i didn't read any of the replies because i just want to answer the original ? in the purest way possible. plus, i'm lazy.

i'm somewhere between a 10c nutswinger and an "EdVed is the messiah" worshipper.

I think people who don't get it are fucking morons and i hate all of them.

Lauri

U R A Crazy Breed wrote:

For some...it's just music..they don't like Ed "preaching" to them and they don't share his feelings on the war or Bush.You know, the "shut up and sing crowd" as i like to call them.(republicans? probably..and no, i'm not a democrat)

others agree with anything Ed says and don't seem to possess a mind of their own...like the people who swing from the 10c sac and act like surrogate mods always quick to point out that your thread belongs elswhere or what you can and can't/should or shouldn't say on the board.

Me? I love the music..and I agree with a lot of things Ed says...That's what got me into them in the first place..i feel we are very like minded on many issues..it stops at Obama..he is a fraud and i can't believe Ed can't see that...

anyway..what do they mean to you..just music? or does it go beyond that?

and how do you feel about the bands/Ed's politics?

It definitely goes beyond music historically, but right now, it's music and enormous amounts of respect.

I've never agreed with EV about everything, but when I was younger and impressionable- 14, 15, etc., just the very fact that the band I loved cared about anything at all was a huge influence on my life. I don't think I ever thought any social issues until discovering Pearl Jam...and now well, it's what I study and what I do for a living, and I care about a lot of other social issues outside my field. I think that Pearl Jam had a BIG hand in steering me that way, I'm not going to deny it. The other thing Pearl Jam did for me as a kid was inspire me to be more creative and even work harder in school. That was extremely important as well.

Now, I love the music, agree with a lot of what EV has to say, cherish my history as a teenager growing up with this band, and respect them like crazy for their musical talent, their commitment to their music AND their politics, their enthusiasm, and the way they do business/treat their customers.

3legged dog

The music of Pearl Jam has healed my soul for me are all one spiritually but on the political side I an no republican sure is not a democrat either but I am an independant conservative. Eddie made me think about politics too, but made me research both sides of the story and not agree with some of his politics. Private sector should be able grow and government should have less of a role in our lives. Besides that, the music/band rocks and this entire fan base!!! Checks and balances!!

Evergreen

awesome post! now that's what i'm talking about! you obviously put a lot of thought into your post and why wouldn't you, when there is so much meaning to be found inside...deep inside...it's almost unexplainable in some ways..at least for me.

thanks for sharing!!

You're welcome...it came pretty easy, but you are right, it's deep and very hard to put into words.

megatron

well. i've mentioned this before on here..so i'll do it again.

when i met mr. mccready he pulled out a camera and asked me this question, "what do you love about pearl jam?"


uhhhh
*blank stare*

Lauri

MEGATRON wrote:

well. i've mentioned this before on here..so i'll do it again.

when i met mr. mccready he pulled out a camera and asked me this question, "what do you love about pearl jam?"


uhhhh
*blank stare*

During my last term in college, I took a class in rock history and culture. In the LAST class of my entire college career, my professor actually asked me:

"what do you think of Eddie Vedder?"

My answer?

"uuuhhhhhhh.....he's cool...."

megatron

Lauri wrote:

MEGATRON wrote:

well. i've mentioned this before on here..so i'll do it again.

when i met mr. mccready he pulled out a camera and asked me this question, "what do you love about pearl jam?"


uhhhh
*blank stare*

During my last term in college, I took a class in rock history and culture. In the LAST class of my entire college career, my professor actually asked me:

"what do you think of Eddie Vedder?"

My answer?

"uuuhhhhhhh.....he's cool...."

Evergreen

MEGATRON wrote:

well. i've mentioned this before on here..so i'll do it again.

when i met mr. mccready he pulled out a camera and asked me this question, "what do you love about pearl jam?"


uhhhh
*blank stare*

I LOVE that! I simply CAN NOT speak to, ask for autographs, or anything either. EVER.

Smarter_Than_U

They have given meaning where there was little and purpose when the way forward was unclear. "Alive" propelled me to meet my father in 92 and "Sleight of Hand" led me to walk away from nepotism a decade later. When I was reading Emerson in college, "Who You Are" was playing in the background. When I was checked out from politics in the mid-2000s (in DC no less!), Pearl Jam helped me care again by putting a face on a nation in turmoil. Vitalogy--"Immortality" specifically-- helped all of us who loved Nirvana process the loss of one of our own and move on. While "Whipping" ... well ... maybe some things are better left unsaid.

There are so many things (often covered by journalists) I could say about what Pearl Jam means--like how much integrity they have fighting TM and how loyal they are to their fans. But it's the smaller things that have added a bit more value to my life. Like the fact that Ed--a high school dropout no less--compelled me to pick up a dictionary to look up words like "Dissident" and "Nemesis" back in 1993 and got me excited about language. Or the speech Ed gave at Randall's 2 about needing to change yourself to change your world. These are moments that ultimately led me to turn my life around from a complete fuck up in High School to graduating with honors from college and having a job as an adult that means something beyond making money (though I do OK).

I got lucky on the Vote for Change tour and scored front row seats from the presale arranged by 10C (the one, the only!). Having never been that close to the stage over the previous 12 years, I was impressed with the sincerity and intensity they played --like on "Go" where Ed kept looking down sadly at his Johnny Ramone t-shirt still mourning the loss of his friend. Toward the end of that show, during "Alive" Ed came to the side of the stage where my wife and I were standing (Stone's side). As the crowd began the inevitable fist-pumping punctuated by Yeahs, Ed looked at my wife and me and mouthed three words: "This is fun." Surely those couple seconds have been long-forgotten by Ed, but they still mean so much to me (and my wife!).

Being alive and sharing space and time with Pearl Jam -- what could be more fun? What could be more meaningful?

Evergreen

Smarter_Than_U wrote:

They have given meaning where there was little and purpose when the way forward was unclear. "Alive" propelled me to meet my father in 92 and "Sleight of Hand" led me to walk away from nepotism a decade later. When I was reading Emerson in college, "Who You Are" was playing in the background. When I was checked out from politics in the mid-2000s (in DC no less!), Pearl Jam helped me care again by putting a face on a nation in turmoil. Vitalogy--"Immortality" specifically-- helped all of us who loved Nirvana process the loss of one of our own and move on. While "Whipping" ... well ... maybe some things are better left unsaid.

There are so many things (often covered by journalists) I could say about what Pearl Jam means--like how much integrity they have fighting TM and how loyal they are to their fans. But it's the smaller things that have added a bit more meaning to my life. The fact that Ed--a high school dropout no less--compelled me to pick up a dictionary to look up words like "Dissident" and "Nemesis" back in 1993 got me excited about language. Or the speech Ed gave at Randall's 2 about needing to change yourself to change your world. These moments cannot be dismissed as a moments that ultimately led me to turn my life around from a complete fuck up in High School to graduating with honors from college and having a job as an adult that means something beyond making money (though I do OK).

I got lucky on the Vote for Change tour and scored front row seats from the presale arranged by 10C (the one, the only!). Having never been that close to the stage over the previous 12 years, I was impressed with the sincerity and intensity they played --like on "Go" where Ed kept looking down sadly at his Johnny Ramone t-shirt still mourning the loss of his friend. Toward the end of that show, during "Alive" Ed came to the side of the stage where my wife and I were standing (Stone's side). As the crowd began the inevitable fist-pumping punctuated by Yeahs, Ed looked at my wife and me and mouthed three words: "This is fun." Surely those couple seconds have been long-forgotten by Ed, but they still mean so much to me (and my wife!).

Being alive and sharing space and time with Pearl Jam -- what could be more fun? What could be more meaningful?

Very nice to read this. It feels good to read stories like this. At first I felt a little weird posting my big long one and putting myself out there, but got it out anyway.

The band should be touched, and for that matter, proud, that their art has effected people so deeply. That is HUGE.

Nice post!

hitman

LukinFan wrote:

The band ranks up there with me as a great slice of pizza and the finest herb-packed bowl

i agree with and love this... though you failed to mention the cold beer to complete the trio! : )