Merry Christmas, Your 2015 Fan Club Single Has Arrived!

Pearl Jam's 2015 Fan Club Single has started to arrive in mailboxes along with a copy of Deep magazine.  The picture above is from the B side.  It's Ed and Beyonce covering Bob Marley's Redemption Song at last year's Global Citizen Festival.

The B side, which we have not seen yet contains a Free cover, Wishing Well, recorded during the Ten era and previously leaked on this early version of Lost Dogs.  

April 29: Pearl Jam in Philadelphia

April 28: Pearl Jam in Philadelphia

April 26: Pearl Jam in Lexington

Eddie Vedder Joins the Cast of Showtime's Twin Peaks

It was announced today that Eddie Vedder will be appearing with several other musicians as a cast member in Showtime's Twin Peaks series, due out in 2017.  David Lynch apparently pulled in friends like Eddie and Trent Reznor for parts in the series.  The annoucement was made as a 200-name cast list posted on the series' Facebook page.

Rolling Stone dug through the list for you:

The asterisk next to names on the cast list denotes actors and actresses who either appeared on the original Twin Peaks series – like Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Mädchen Amick, Ray Wise and David Duchovny, to mention a few – or its theatrical film Fire Walk With Me, like Harry Dean Stanton and Lynch himself. Even "Log Lady" actress Catherine Coulson, who died in September, is among the Twin Peaks returnees.

Also joining the cast is Michael Cera, Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jim Belushi, Tim Roth, Robert Forster, Ashley Judd, Amanda Seyfried and Lynch vets Laura Dern, Balthazar Getty and Naomi Watts.

April 23: Pearl Jam at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Levee Walkers, Featuring Jaz Coleman

HockeyTalkter Records has just released a 7" single by Levee Walkers, a collaboration between Mike McCready Duff McKagan (Guns 'N Roses), Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees/Mad Season) and Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke).  The single includes two songs, titled Freedom Song and Songs for the West.

You can read Barrett's story about how the songs came together and what, exactly, a levee walker is at HockeyTalkter.  Not to mention, you can purchase the single on black vinyl ($10) or clear vinyl ($20).  

Here's hoping there is more to come from Levee Walkers.

April 21: Pearl Jam in Columbia

Batman by Harper and Eddie Vedder

Eddie Vedder, today, posted a new tune of his rarely used Soundcloud channel.  It is a cover of the Batman Theme by him and his daughter.  I don't know that it will make Album #11, but it might end up on your 2015 Fan Club Single.

Yes, Pearl Jam, we're still waiting on our Fan Club Single.  Cancelling shows is not going to make us forget!

Pearl Jam Cancels Raleigh Show in Support of Transgendered Community

Shortly before taking the stage in Hampton, VA, Pearl Jam issued a statement cancelling Wednesday's show in Raleigh, North Carolina in opposition to North Carolina's passage of House Bill 2 which, among other things, eliminates legal protections against discrimination of gay, lesbian, and transgendered individuals as well at Veterans.

It is hard to say, given the deeply gerrymandered districts in North Carolina whether economic pressure on large, left-leaning cities will make a difference, but Pearl Jam has also donated money to several organizations in North Carolina working against this archaic bill.

Please join us in signing this petition to repeal HB2 http://equalitync.org/action/repeal_HB2/

N.C. Organizations We Are Supporting:

http://equalitync.org
http://www.naacpnc.org
http://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
http://www.qords.org

Some fans will, no doubt, be bitter of the loss of non-refundable travel costs but most will support the band's decision.  Some may even donate the money they would have spent on their tickets to those causes or to the campaign of our Governor's competitor.

Whichever side you fall on, you can join the debate on our Red Mosquito Forum.

April 18: Pearl Jam in Hampton

Pearl Jam Plays Vs. Back-to-Front of Greenville

Despite Jeff's lukewarm take on the practice:

I've never been a fan of that to be honest. Well, that's not true. I saw Cheap Trick do three albums and that was amazing. But for the most part I haven't been a fan of that.

after opening with Corduroy, Pearl Jam just played the album Vs. front-to-back in Greenville, SC.  This makes the fifth time Pearl Jam has played a full album, front-to-back in concert.  When is #6?  What is #6?  Oh my god, the suspense!

Ten: March 13, 1992 in Munich, Germany
Vs.: April 16, 2016 in Greenville, SC
Vitalogy: ??
No Code: October 17, 2014 in Moline, IL
Yield: October 20, 2014
Binaural: ??
Riot Act: ??
Pearl Jam: September 19, 2006 in Torino, Italy
Backspacer: ??
Lightning Bolt: ??

Record Store Day!

This story comes with an apology.  There are four Pearl Jam-related items in stores today for Record Store Day, only two of which have even made the blog.  A day job and parenthood have gotten in the way of proper blogging.

Regardless, if you didn't know these were coming out today, hurry!  Run to your nearest record store.

• Green River's 1984 Demos LP - 2000 available
• The Sonics Live at Easy Street (featuring an appearance by Eddie Vedder) - 3500 available
• Judgement Night Soundtrack - 2000 available
• KEXP Presents: Raw Power, A Tribute to Iggy Pop and the Stooges - 2500 available

April 16: Pearl Jam in Greenville

April 13: Pearl Jam in Jacksonville

April 11: Pearl Jam in Tampa

Raw Power Added to Record Store Day 2016

I just checked the Record Store Day list last night, but it must have been a bit early.  The Ten Club announced today, via their newsletter, that Mike McCready's Stooges tribute atop the Pike Place Market with Duff McKagan, Mark Arm, and Barrett Martin will be available this coming weekend, April 16th.

It's classified as an "RSD First" release, so presumably it may be available later, but quantities are super limited.  Here are the details from the Record Store Day website.

Format: LP
Label: Monkeywrench
Quantity: 2500
Release type: 'RSD First' Release

On August 23rd 2015, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Duff McKagan (Guns n Roses), Mark Arm (Mudhoney), and Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees) performed a free live show on the rooftop of Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA to help benefit the new home of independent radio station KEXP. The group performed a tribute set to Iggy & the Stooges in front of a crowd of thousands that filled the streets outside of Seattle's world famous Pike Place Market. Proceeds from the sale of the vinyl record will benefit KEXP Radio.

1. Little Doll
2. T.V. Eye
3. I Got A Right
4. I Need Somebody
5. Down On The Street
6. Search And Destroy
7. Loose

Pearl Jam Slip Mats Now Available

Pearl Jam vinyl enthusiasts have been begging for a Pearl Jam slip mat for years, and now, you can have one.  Head the the Ten Club shop with $12 ($5.99 domestic S&H) to get yours today.

Do The Evolution Art Book Coming This Fall

This weekend at Emerald City Comicon, IDW Publishing has announced the release of Pearl Jam: Do The Evolution, an art book showcasing the work of Todd McFarlane and Kevin Altiere on Pearl Jam's 1998 video, Do The Evolution.

Here's the text from IDW's press release.

IDW, in association with one of rock n’ roll’s greatest acts in history, proudly presents Pearl Jam: Do the Evolution. IDW, in association with one of rock n’ roll’s greatest acts in history, proudly presents Pearl Jam: Do the Evolution.

Drawing inspiration from the Grammy Award nominated music video of the same name, Do the Evolution takes fans inside this unforgettable work of art. Directed by visionary comics legend Todd McFarlane (Spawn) and veteran animator Kevin Altieri (Batman: The Animated Series), this achievement in animation told a graphic and dark history of the world in four gripping minutes and is widely considered one of the best music videos of all time.

Now, the full story of the making of this historic video will be told in the Do the Evolution art book from IDW. Lushly illustrated by the video's striking animation cells with never before seen storyboards and designs from the video, the video's co-producer, Joe Pearson, will guide readers through the fascinating process of bringing the band’s vision to life in this one-of-a-kind art book.

Pearl Jam: Do the Evolution takes its next step into comic shops this October.

Pre-order details are, presumably, upcoming. Check for your Pearl Jam newsletter, tomorrow.

April 9: Pearl Jam in Miami

April 8: Pearl Jam in Ft. Lauderdale

Flight To Mars 2016, Tickets on Sale Now

I'm still playing catch up from last week, but we now know more about the mystery project on which Mike McCready was collaborating with Chris Friel and Kim Virant. Mike's UFO cover band, Flight to Mars, will be playing at The Showbox Market on Friday, May 20th and 21st for their 14th annual benefit with a special tribute to David Bowie.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's Camp Oasis program.

Both shows will feature a special “Tribute to David Bowie” opening set, curated by the Chris Friel Orchestra. Each night will include special guests including members of Screaming Trees, Sweet Water, Stereo Embers, and other artists including Sean Bates, Jeff Rouse, Kim Virant, and many others.

$25 advance tickets are on sale now (tickets will be $30 day of show). Ticket information is available at ShowboxPresents.com.

Also, you have an opportunity to be the first through the door.

Concert-goers will have the opportunity to be the first in the door and 'ride the rail' through an exclusive VIP fundraising opportunity through the Wishlist Foundation – a fan-run grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Pearl Jam’s charitable and philanthropic goals. For more information visit www.wishlistfoundation.org.

Happy Birthday, Mike McCready!

Pearl Jam Adds Another Summer Festival, Pemberton!

Pearl Jam is working on a very busy summer.  They've just been announced as headliners for the Pemberton Festival in British Columbia this July 14th - 17th.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am local time.  All the info is at the Pearl Jam website.

Eddie Vedder Solo Summer Date, Ohana Festival!

This morning, Pearl Jam has announced another chance to hear Eddie Vedder this summer.  He will be playing the Ohana Festival in Doheny State Beach, California on August 27th.  

Jack Irons is among the musicians appearing.  Does that mean we'll get a taste of him behind the drums for some No Code or Yield tunes?   One can hope!

All the info for ticket purchases is on the Pearl Jam website.