Take Me Out To The Ball Game...
We're happy to say that Mike McCready is now doing well again after breaking his collarbone on June 28th while playing baseball during a break from recording Pearl Jam's fifth album. He injured his left shoulder diving for an Eddie line drive. Doctor's orders were six weeks of sitting still so Mike has lots of time to think about shagging the next EdVed ball! He should be off the disabled list soon. :)Strike Three, It's An Out...
There's been a lot of talk lately about a Pearl Jam "lost album" that was supposed to come out about six months after No Code. It's just not true. Strike out that rumor! Pearl Jam have been in and out of the studio since the beginning of the year working on their fifth album. That's the fact, Jack. [We loved Stripes.] Instant replay: They are not finished with the new record and there was no other record planned for release.7th Inning Stretch...
All of the band have been writing the new, harder-edged music and the untitled-so-far album is nearly completed. It won't be a rumored double CD...new single pretty soon...and it looks like it'll be out before the end of the year.There's been no change to the plan to do live shows in the U.S. this fall and they are hoping to do more shows than last year. After the plans are finalized, we'll know more. To clarify from the previous RP, the last word on the Australian visit was maybe this winter...that's winter in Seattle, not Oz.
Covering All The Bases...
We're still looking forward to the Bridge School album with the Pearl Jam appearance, the Ramones' home video with the Eddie appearance and there's a possibility that a song from the Tibetan Freedom concert, performed by Mike and Eddie, will appear on a release benefiting the Milarepa organization. Pearl Jam are in constant motion and the status of things keeps changing. No new word to mention right now about home vids, a PBS show, or other possible TV appearances.Brad had a great time on their tour and they are all eager to go out on the road again so if you missed them on their first outing, hopefully you'll be able to catch them next time. There were additional songs recorded during the "Interiors" sessions that will be available on international Brad releases. Look for a new Brad song titled, "Seance" for another lead vocal extravaganza by Stone.
Those are the highlights so far. We're going to go grab more peanuts and Cracker Jack and watch the rest of the game. Take a break...relax and enjoy your summer...fall is getting closer in the U.S. and it's going to get busier... :)
Gear...
"Before we answer these questions we must tell you that they all have a lot of different equipment, and they change what they like to use quite often, so if you see them using other gear..."Q: What kind of guitars do Stone and Mike play?
A: Most of the time Stone plays Gibson Les Pauls and Mike uses Fender Stratocasters.
Q: What type of strings does Stone use on his Les Paul?
A: Metal ones
Q: I was wondering what type of Strat exactly does Mike play (American Standard or Lonestar, etc.)?
A: Most of the time he uses a '58 or '59 Sunburst
Q: I was just wondering what guitars the band uses. Is Eddie's a Telecaster?
A: Eddie uses Tele's. (see disclaimer)
Rumors, Rumours, Rumors...
PEARL Rumor: Pearl Jam will be playing at the 1997 Bridge School Benefit.
JAM Fact: No.
PEARL Rumor: Eddie is doing a solo album.
JAM Fact: No.
PEARL Rumor: Jeff and Barry Ament directed the "Oceans" video.
JAM Fact: It was Josh Taft.
PEARL Rumor: Pearl Jam is switching from Epic to Loosegroove Records.
JAM Fact: No.
PEARL Rumor: Mike has formed another band from the the Mad Season project, a band called Disinformation.
JAM Fact: Yes.
PEARL Rumor: The band is putting together an album made up of rare stuff (Christmas singles, b-sides, unreleased songs) to be released exclusively to fan club members. T/F?
JAM Fact: No plans yet.
~Q&A~Q&A~Q&A~Q&A~
Q: Are there any plans to release PJ's latest 2 singles - 'Hail, Hail' and 'Off He Goes' - in the UK?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Pearl Jam have plans to release a live album in 1998?
A: No.
Q: By the way, is the song "Open Road" a Pearl Jam song, or is it another cover? [song was done in Phoenix '95]
A: It's a Pearl Jam song.
Q: Why did Brad use Ticketmaster? (I felt like an idiot having to buy a ticket to see "THE MAN" who had the cahones to fight Ticketmaster.)
A: Brad is not in the position to take on TM, unless that is, you don't want them to tour.
Q: In the liner notes it says, "Concept of No Code by Jerome Turner." Is "Jerome Turner" code for Eddie Vedder?
A: Oui. [Yes in French. - RP]
Q: Is it possible to get a tape of a Pearl Jam concert through Pearl Jam?
(not a bootleg). Someone told me they released a few in Europe.
A: Australia.
Q: Tell me fellas. What was the first Pearl Jam song released from 'Ten' for radio play in the U.S. My friends are telling me it's Alive but I think it's Even Flow.
A: It was Alive.
Q: I'm from the U.S. and I am in the fan club. Will I be able to choose tickets from around the whole U.S. or just to shows that are in my location for the next live shows?
A: Anywhere. [In North America. -RP]
Q: If Pearl Jam doesn't play Canada on their next live show schedule, then will the Vitalogy Health Club still offer me tickets for the U.S shows since I live in Canada?
A: Yes.
Q: Will there be a song from Pearl Jam's Letterman appearance on one of the series of albums of songs from his show that Dave Letterman is planning on releasing?
A: No.
Q: Was the Budapest show [from '96 tour] broadcast on TV?
A: No.
Q: On the "Vs." lyrics book, there's a page dedicated to a "Bite the Bullet" theme, and it seems like there are full lyrics there. Is this an outtake song from Vs. or just a page of ramblings?
A: [We've asked about this a number of times without a definite answer. We take that to mean that it's for you to interpret, as are the lyrics. - RP]
