A Kinder & Gentler Pearl Jam...

Enable frames

A Kinder & Gentler Pearl Jam...

Photo by Kay McEntee

by Monica Doughty

Pearl Jam

The Palace, Auburn Hills

Saturday, October 7, 2000

About 9 or 10 years ago a new type of music pushed 80's hair metal aside and

broke through the boundaries for music makers.  This music was classified

as Grunge.  Grunge was a style of music with long stringy-haired band

members displaying a style that consisted of flannel shirts, tight drab

jeans and black boots.  Their lyrics concentrated on life experiences,

mostly drug related.  Grunge was a heavier sound, powered by guitars and

angry vocals.  Grunge gave us such bands as Soundgarden, Nirvana and of

course Pearl Jam, whom most will agree, was the founder of the grunge wave.

Pearl Jam started out heavy, with lead singer Eddie Vedder almost going

into convulsions from intensity during performances.  His screams not only

filled radio speakers but venues when they strolled through arenas across

America.  But over the years they have found a softer side.  This softer

side has changed  hard-hitting, vicious vocals to mellow, almost melancholy

tones.  The guitar riffs still hit hard, but in a more subtle way.  The

bass no longer pounds as it did.  Their new sound no longer enhances road

rage or is an outlet for hateful emotions.

Photos by Kay McEntee

When attending a live performance 4 years ago, the whole venue was one

large mosh pit, with all sorts of people banging their heads.  Now crowd

actions are much subtler, rows of folding chairs are carefully placed, and

none are tipped over or piled up from rowdy attendees.

People attend a Pearl Jam show to enjoy the music, not to tear apart the

venue or exert latent angry feelings as back in the beginning.  Now, this

transition through the years has angered some, even brought some to

slipping away from the Pearl Jam fan grouping.

But on the other hand, Pearl Jam has acquired more fans, those of which

have different qualities, and enjoy their music in a different way.  I

think through the long run, Pearl Jam has acquired the respect they

deserve, from the people they deserve it from.

The "headbangers" are not the type of people who should make or break their

success, and Pearl Jam doesn't allow it to be so. Not only has Pearl Jam's

musical capabilities strengthened, but their mental states have as well.

They have developed acceptance among those who used to criticize, and

criticism among those who used to accept.  Pearl Jam has come a long way,

and they are aware of it.  They are a highly venerable group of men.

It was in August 1998 that Pearl Jam had last graced us with their rocking

presence.  More than due time had elapsed for a show from the world's

lasting grunge band, especially since their latest release Binaural has

already released radio singles.

The night was set for October 7, 2000 at the Palace in Auburn Hills - a

night that was well awaited by many, enough to sell out the largest venue

in the Detroit area.  Sonic Youth had been chosen to open other shows, but

Supergrass was scheduled to open this particular evening.

Now that Pearl Jam has reduced themselves to the not so loved " indie-rock"

style, they had the perfect tunes playing while everyone was taking their

seats.

The type of mediocre recording, three-piece band with vocals that make you

cringe, like bands such as the Muffs and Iggy Pop played overhead.  Now,

with Pearl Jam's different sound strategies, Supergrass played  the part of

the pragmatic openers.

They are a more subtle rock band with not so unique sound.  All members

were dressed in the tight vintage jeans and plain T-shirts, a very plain

and mild fashion belonging to that type of style.  The band did play with

wonderful precision, but it just felt as if they didn't belong on an arena

stage - there was too much room than what they knew to do with.  They

belonged in a garage, or a small venue with minimal lighting, huddled close

to each other, frightened to use their once in a lifetime available stage

space.

They spoke a limited amount, only introducing themselves once and only a

few song titles were announced.  They lacked live appeal, but were skilled

in playing their instruments.  Supergrass made it highly obvious that their

influences are among The Rolling Stones, and Iggy Pop.  This would be a

band to own a CD or two of, but not to spend an extensive amount of money

to pay to see live.

Once again, the Muffs' ringing sounds blare over the speakers while the

rest of the Pearl Jam fans who wait until the last minute (those who pound

back a few in the parking lot before the show) to enter and take their (or

any open) seats.

There was no backdrop, allowing the large area behind the stage to seat a

few hundred others and enabling them to join in on the festivities.  The

arena was full to the very top; it was amazing to look around and to see

all the people who paid to see one of the world's greatest bands.  Some

were set for an abrasive night full of pure rock 'n roll, and others a

night of glib sounds and pseudo rock.  Everyone was in for a surprise!

Photo by Kay McEntee

Pearl Jam came on to stage, Eddie in his infamous tight drab black jeans,

torn up Converse All Stars, his vintage denim jacket and chin length curls

and  a beard!  The typical Eddie get-up (except the facial hair).  The

others were in the same over comfort look pertaining of jeans and T-shirts.

I was surprised to see bassist Jeff Ament not wearing a hat or bandana as

he usually does.  Surprisingly, they did not look tired or worn-out; they

had  the look of rock painted upon their faces.  Opening their set with

"GO", a hard-hitting song from the beginning of their days,  proved that

they still can put all aside and completely rock the house!

Eddie Vedder is not the most inclined to vocalize his thoughts at a

concert; he keeps quiet, allowing more time for music.  The third song into

the evening was preceded by the mumbling of "This one may be too small for

Detroit, but maybe we keep getting smaller and smaller". Then they started

playing "Corduroy", which just about everyone knows.

I was highly impressed by the fact that they only played 4 songs of their

newest release, Binaural.  The band chose to stick to the harder radio

hits, and only a few mild pieces found their way into the set.  They played

songs that I never expected to hear other than on my CDs.  "State of Love

and Trust", a track off of the "Singles" soundtrack surprised me, as well

as "Rearview Mirror", both not very well-known Pearl Jam songs, but two of

my favorites.

Throughout the set, mild, warm, tender lights lightly highlighted the

members, barely showing more than their mere presence.  There was no

special lighting gimmicks here, no disco ball effects, and no extreme

technical works at this show - just plain solid lights appropriately placed

on the band.

During the beginning of "Better Man" the stage was dark except the passionate

purple streams placed on Eddie's face as he growled the hurtful opening

lyrics.  When the band joined him, the lights slowly brightened, not

distracting anyone from the intensity of the song.  Toward the end of the

song, where it seemingly fit, they played a bit of English Beat's "Save it

for Later."

You could definitely tell that the band was excited to be playing for their

fans again.  They were bound and determined to play until they passed out.

Lead guitarist Mike McCready was full of energizing bite!  I have never

seen him play like that before.  He took his corner of the stage and used

it to his full capacity.  He was bouncing anywhere he could, with

uninhibited freedom, trying to avoid running into anything, but ending up

doing so anyway.

The energy level may have been because this was the beginning of the first

leg of the tour, but it was well needed.  Rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard

played with overwhelming strength, but tended to stay to himself, until he

and Ament jammed together.

If you have ever seem Pearl Jam perform live you will understand me when I

say that when the vocals are pushed aside and the band members play music,

Eddie stands to the side, taking it all in with his head bowed, mildly

shaking it. That is a distinct characteristic of Eddie, of which he still

holds.

I can honestly say that I never saw Eddie stumble from intoxication. He may

have done so, but possibly only when my eyes were wandering around the

arena in complete awe and admiration of the crowd.  The most astounding

activity was to witness Eddie jumping and doing scissor kicks from

beginning to end.  These are not the ordinary Eddie actions.

Although he did not vigorously convulse, climb speakers or jump into the

crowd during songs like "Even Flow" or "Jeremy", where one would expect it,

you could still tell that the band was truly enjoying themselves.  They are

also very respectful to the fans that are less fortunate and obtained seats

behind the stage, not forgetting where they are.

"This is the longest title in the Pearl Jam catalog, it's called 'Elderly

woman behind a counter in a small town", Eddie once again mumbles.

 It was breathtaking to hear, not Eddie's voice, but the roar of the crowd

singing the lyrics of that song.  They completely over powered him and the

band.  The audience overtook other popular songs with poignant lyrics and a

quieter sound such as "Daughter", and "Given To Fly" as they sang with

passion.

Eddie's voice was nowhere to be found.  We all could see his lips moving,

but not a growl was to be heard.  It was beautiful.

The guitar in "Thin Air" was breathtaking.  All of the members did such a

wonderful job, not only as entertainers, but also for their well-meaning

attitude.  I have never heard Eddie's voice hold such perfection.  His

screams were mind altering.  As his voice came out of the speakers, it gave

me goose bumps.

This show should have been bootlegged and produced.  I picked up Live On Two

Legs, which is their professionally mastered bootleg and it compares as

nothing to the quality throughout the entire concert of which I attended.

Nearing the end of their lengthy set, as Eddie recognizes the rising

temperatures, he takes off his denim jacket and hooded sweatshirt beneath

it.

 "It's f*&ing hot in here.  It was snowing when we landed.  I like it. I

like it!"  Everyone else had recognized the heat factor, and had removed

articles of clothing to comfort them, except Eddie.  It makes me wonder.

 Eddie claimed to have made a mistake, one that I did not notice.  "That

was the biggest mess-up, and it was all my fault.  It's good to see Detroit

is so forgiving."

Perhaps we were so forgiving because we didn't notice.  Eddie put his

jacket back on, said his good-byes and vacated the stage.  Mike carefully

placed his guitar level on the stage floor and they all disappeared.  The

echoes of the guitar filled the arena as the crowd waited an encore.  In

time they returned, playing a very unimpressive song, and once again left

the stage.

Was the show over?  We all hoped not.  To end a wonderful evening with no

bang at all, would they expect their fans to return next time?

The band decided to salvage the evening and returned for a second encore.

This was the greatest 20 minutes of the entire show.  With no strings

attached, they rocked.  They chose to tighten the ending with their

rendition of "Last Kiss" which was executed with intelligence and beauty.

Eddie was thrown a tambourine from a technician, and he politely played it

until things got a little crazy and he decided to put his head through the

center.  He ran around to the back of the stage and handed it to a fan.

The band kept playing as Eddie decided to play circus clown.  He took his

microphone stand and balanced it on the palm of his hand, and then of

course let it fall, and without a doubt, smashed it on the stage a few

times.

A true ending! Oh, to see Pearl Jam live again.

Enable frames