I Believe in Dave Krusen

I remember when I got my first copy of Ten, which was after I got Vs, incidentally. So, my first exposure to the band was actually Dave Abbruzzese. And I remember being confused looking at the CD, which not only had the songs listed on it, but the songwriters, and I saw a name that was unfamiliar to me:

Krusen.

Not a whole lot of internet research you can do in 1993, so I cobbled together what I could from magazine articles. I learned about the Spinal Tap-like revolving drummer's seat for the band. And while at the time, Dave A. was my favorite drummer, I was very curious about where the band would be with the original Dave. 

Vs. may have been my first exposure to Pearl Kam, but Ten brought them to the dance. And the power of that album is still, to this day, undeniable.

To me, Vs. was made during pretty much the apex of recording technology as far as how clear a record can sound. I don't believe it has been matched, or surpassed to this day (some other noteworthy selections: The Shins 'Wincing the Night Away, Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" & "The Suburbs", Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories")

So, to go back and have Ten, and the way it has this bluesy groove under the guise of late 80's/early 90's power rock. All with the undeniable punkiness & funk from all the players involved. It's very much a missing link record.

And that's in no small part to it's rhythm section: Stone, Jeff, and Dave Krusen. Yes, I know Stone is perfectly capable of playing lead and is arguably one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

But when it's time to be in the pocket, Mike is the gunslinger, and Stone is the rhythm. The very foundation of PJ's sound is in that groove, that deep garden of sound. 

It didn't just come from out of nowhere, either. Stone & Jeff had two records in 2 years to help get it right: Apple & ToTD. So, Dave Krusen had the unenviable task of stepping up to provide that support they were looking for.

And he CRUSHED it.

I often need to remind myself the more I learn about the band's history, that it wasn't just one tape that was sent out in 1990... it was 2.

That second tape went to Dave.

And while Matt played Once & Alive on said tape, Dave put his own flair & groove into those songs. 

Once. Even Flow. Alive. Why Go. Black. Jeremy. Oceans. Porch. Garden. Deep. Release.

We can all name them by heart, in order (for the most part😅 I sometimes mix up Deep & Porch due to it's notorious encore spot). But that's all Dave Krusen playing those fills. 

Various tempos, varying speeds, all drum parts tailored for what each song needs. And played with precision, passion, and intensity. 

And that's not even counting songs like Alone, Brother, Wash, or the excellent cover of I've Got a Feeling. Or the demos for Breath and SOLAT.

If you have any doubt that he has lost a step or can't keep up that pace, go back and listen to that Fresno show in 2022. He absolutely NAILED the Ten-era songs on very short notice.

With time & rehearsal, who's to say he can't tackle the whole catalog??

Just for sheer wear & tear, there's probably a few songs that we wouldn't hear live again. Either because they were Matt's, or because they've had their time in the sun.

Running & Whipping are 50/50. The Fixer is most likely retired. Save You & Got Some are gonna be long shots after the DM tour no matter what. But who really knows?

As long as we keep Rearviewmirror, we're golden😂 

I've been listening to Candlebox's 'Happy Pills", and it's actually really good. I kind of fell off their train after Lucy in '95, so it was a nice to travel back to an era dominated by Sugar Ray, Korn, and Limp Bizkit, and hear something still grunge-y.

Beyond all of that, I think it's also the best story for the band overall.

Here's a band that's been around for thirty five years. And a guy who hasn't been in the band for thirty five years.

And yet he is no matter what still a very big part of this band's legacy.

If you see a meme of Jesus skateboarding to Even Flow, it's the Dave Krusen version from Ten.

If you see a person on TikTok lamenting about their heartbreak & yearning while 'Black' plays, that's Dave Krusen driving the song behind Ed's famous lyrics.

There are still people discovering Pearl Jam for the first time in the Gregorian calendar year of twenty twenty-five.

And to this day, Ten remains their most consistent & accessible album (and again, I'm a Vs. Guy!)

This next part might hit a little too close to home, but let's be honest: this band will not turn into the Rolling Stones.

I think Ed will always play shows, no matter what. Whether it's Pearl Jam, Earthlings, or just him and a guitar. That man will go til the wheels fall off.

But Stone & Jeff are still punk rock guys. Art-saavy & cultured, but still very much punk rock guys. And Gigaton & Dark Matter proved that the band could still be relevant with vital new music even after they've been inducted in the rock n' roll hall of fame.

Yet, I don't see them heading into TRUE legacy band territory. They won't let it happen.

When this band's time comes, they will go out still at the height of their powers. 

Maybe it's a few years, maybe it's 5. Forty years seems like it would be a hell of a career. Who knows, really. 

But I do know this: if we only have a short time left, what better story than to finish it with the man who helped create the band's introduction to the world. Who would make a better story than Dave Krusen?

Redemption. Legacy. Full circle.