Set List: Grievance (from Binaural)

Chris:
PJ came out after the crew set up the stage between breaks. They didn't warm up in front of the audience at all, but supposedly did on a closed set earlier. Everyone that watched on TV pretty much saw everything that happened, cause soon as they shook Dave's hand, the crew broke down the stage, and PJ left the set.

It was a great show though. I have been to several Letterman tapings and this one was the most electric. Not only was PJ on, but so was Paul Newman & it was Dave's B-day. Overall a special night. Everyone that worked there seemed to know this too, they kept reminding everyone this was one of the best shows they have had in a long time, and they wanted us to make it extra special with our participation.

By the way, PJ got a much louder reaction than Mr. Newman.
I hope everyone in the Jamily enjoys all the upcoming PJ events.

Sound file credit: SMAK - Grievance.mp3 - [22mHz] (right click and Save As to download MP3)

SMAK (mayaspop@uswest.net):
Man, been a long time since I have seen these boys play -- TOO LONG...so, dusting off my trusty PEARL JAM VHS tape to record the performance on Letterman last night...I noted that the last entry on the tape was Letterman in 1998...wow, has it been a YEAR already??? Damn...

Well, needless to say, they came and they rocked...playing a song ("Grievance") that no one really ever expected and showing the poop (typo intended) bands of the world that you DO NOT have to play the single every goddamn time. In a sincere show of love for Dave which was strong, you could just barely catch Eddie handing over a discarded axe from Mike to Dave as they went to commercial after the song (a birthday present from the band perhaps?) -- the song "GRIEVANCE" is great...reminiscent of their harder songs from "Vs" (Animal) or even some of "Vitalogy's" heavier moments (SPIN THE BLACK) -- just in tempo and drive...nothing lyrically or sonically really matches up...this one's new and you can tell the sound of BINAURAL will be one that will truly support the fact that Pearl Jam has the longevity of the greatest rock bands they have long admired and respected themselves. These guys are not going away anytime soon and while they're here they will be doing it the way they want...there's just not enough of that in the scene anymore...

So, thanks to you Pearl Jam and thanks to digitalkat & ofthesea & anyone behind-the-music (scenes) at TEN CLUB...your devotion and dedication does not go unnoticed...

Graham (partgm02@ea.pvt.k12.pa.us)
Well, I stayed up on a school night (and probably failed my math test today), but it was worth it to see the boys rock out on something new. It was Dave's birthday, and Paul Newman's interview was long, but, it was really cool to see a new song performed live. "Grievance" as I've come to know the song has been called, starts out with Matt pounding the skins- kinda tribal music-esque. Then Eddie, Mike and Stone and Jeff came in, and right away, my mind drew a parallel between the song and MFC and Rearviewmirror (I've always thought those two were connected in some way), except Grievance isn't riff based as the others are. There were many shots centered on Ed, Mike with Jeff to his right near the set, and to the right side of Matt's set, showing him drumming. There were almost NO shots of Stone though!!! I was kinda pissed, the only time I got to see him was when there was a group shot or something, and his back was usually turned to the camera. Anyway - chill song, can't wait for the album!! later on

OH yea! At the end, Ed gave Dave Mike's guitar!! (I don't think it was one of Mike's regulars, it was a Strat with a 70s style jaguar/jazzmaster headstock.)

Francesco Marchione (fmarchione@hotmail.com):
I couldnt believe it. That was the first time I had seen PJ since '98 in Cleveland, and it felt like I was coming home again. After getting over the initial shock of not hearing "Nothing As It Seems" like everyone expected, (the song was "Grievance" from Binaural) my attention turned to Mike McCready, who was rocking like a madman in the left corner of the stage!! It was unbelievable! The whole band seemed to be in top form. Ed's vocals were electrifying, Stone was jamming, Jeff was the backbone as always, and Matt was tearing it up on the kit. Very impressive all around. After Mike threw his guitar down after the song, Ed even tried to hand it to Letterman to see if he wanted to play right before they cut to a commercial!! Being able to see the band again was a huge relief after months of anticipation and speculation. Binaural seems like its going to rock really hard, and we are all waiting!