Pearl Jam As An Act example essay topic

Another essential event happened in 2000, when nine fun's were killed in the crush of a general entrance audience at Denmark's Roskilde Festival. After considerable sadness and soul-searching, Pearl Jam decided to go on. These days, it's stylish to refer to Pearl Jam as an act that's reached contented middle age. Drummer Matt Cameron turned 40 late; the youngest member is guitarist Stone Gossard. These assertions of comfort and maturity do not so much result from the members's equential ages as the band's aura of stability. McCready admits falling victim to the drug and alcohol excesses of the Seattle scene, abruptly adding that he's now "clean and sober".

Vedder, especially, seems to have outgrown his tortured shy phase. "Early on he was definitely not ready for the explosion of popularity", McCready says of the PJ front man. "Neither was anyone else in the band, but he was the focal point. That was a real burden to him. I think where he's at now, he's a lot more mellow now". McCready adds that Vedder's status as a brooder was part reality and part media overstatement: "He has always had a humorous side to him.

Being angst-ridden and all that, some of that was true, but he had a funny side to him that was never explored. It would just come out. No one is all one thing. I think at this point he's just a lot more comfortable". Pearl Jam has reached a point of real collaboration in their creative dynamic. This is sensitive stuff.

Most of the songs are co-written by band members. No one has final say. Adam Kasper co-produced Riot Act with the band, but it's likely he was more catalyst than dictator. In the studio, McCready ones sad that in the studio there's a push and pull, a lot of compromise, to get to what you hope is the best thing for the song.

One senses that Pearl Jam doesn't sweat a sub-platinum album too much. With 40-million records sold, and a solid place in classic rock radio just a few years off, financial security would seem assured for the guys. And they have an ongoing ace in the hole: Pearl Jam continues to be a extremely regarded live act, still a muscular arena draw. They built their live rep from the get-go in Tampa Bay.

It was late spring of '92. The Ten album had gradually percolated to the top of the charts over more than a few months, coinciding nicely with their local entrance at Jann us Landing. I was not yet a fan of the group but had heard the buzz and joined 1,500 other folks to see what all the fuss was about. The band assaulted the stage, bounding, leaping around, and combining pandemonium with tight group playing.

Vedder began coyly; his hair tucked into a baseball cap. A song or two in, he whipped off the hat and turned into a phantom. At one point, he shimmied up the center-stage pole that holds up its canvas roof; he steadied his tattered boots on a couple of bolts and then launched backward into the welter. Mayhem. The set, which lasted no more than an hour, was pure catharsis. The crowd walked away astonished.

The show has become fable - regarded as one of the best performances to ever take place. It didn't take long for the unrestrained physicality of Pearl Jam's shows to taper off, which has also made a payment to the band's survival.