Pearl Jam was essentially formed from the remnants of another Seattle band, Mother Love Bone. When that band collapsed following the overdose death of vocalist Andrew Wood in 1990, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament formed a new band, briefly called Mookie Blaylock. Lead guitarist Mike McCready was recruited, and they got temporary help on drums from Soundgarden's Matt Cameron. A demo tape was made, which was sent to surfer dude Eddie Vedder in San Diego, who overdubbed vocals. Dave Krusen was brought in as permanent drummer, and this lineup recorded the band's debut, Ten.
Ten was released in 1991 but didn't really take off until 1992, after Nirvana's Nevermind blazed the course, inspiring interest in the whole Seattle scene, which came to be called Grunge Rock. Once Pearl Jam was discovered, they took off, eclipsing even Nirvana in sales.
There was a very intense rivalry between Nirvana and Pearl Jam fans in those days. Nirvana owed more of a debt to punk, and went for sloppy immediacy. Pearl Jam took its cues from 70's hard rock and metal, and came up with crafted, hooky hard rock.
Both were important bands, and history will give Nirvana the nod for leaders of the scene, but Pearl Jam had something special, too. Eddie Vedder's rich, hearty, expressive voice is one of the most instantly recognizable in rock, clear and articulate over a bedlam of grunge noise.
Krusen left the band in 1992 and was replaced on drums by Dave Abbruzzese. Throughout the year, the Lollapalooza tour, MTV, and constant radio airplay turned them into bigtime headliners. Abbruzzese would eventually be fired and replaced with Jack Irons (ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers).
And here is where the story gets interesting. Pearl Jam developed a reputation as a band of impeccable integrity; almost every career move they've made since then was one designed to bolster this reputation, often with very real financial loss for the band.
Article comments
1 - redrider
An history of Pearl Jam cannot be complete without a mention of Temple Of The Dog. That album was recorded as a tribute to Mother Love Bone's Andrew Wood and features Gossard, McCready and Amment (who would soon form Pearl Jam) teaming up with Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron (who would join Soundgarden). Vedder participated in the recordings provinding backup to Cornell's vocals on some songs and even lead vocal on one.
That album is notherworthy because its sheer strenght and power and because it defined and crystalized Pearl Jam's sound even before Ten was recorded. The teaming of Gossard's and Cornell's songwriting skills contributes greatly to the brilliance of this recording. It is great document on the early days of grunge.
See www.reachdown.com for Temple Of The Dog's history and more.
2 - Mat
Thanks for the memories. I must have played Ten and Vs a million times. Like most of the world I fell away from PJ after Vitalogy, but my brother-in-laws undying devotion to the band has brought me back to listening to their later stuff. I suspect to be a real fan again very soon.
3 - Tom Johnson
There is also Green River, which featured Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, too, prior to Mother Love Bone (not to mention Mudhoney, who also rose from the ashes of Green River.)
I love the newer Pearl Jam material, and I hardly consider myself a die-hard. Binaural gets low marks from fans, seemingly, but it's my favorite. A great straight-ahead rock album, with a fantastic and intriguing production helmed by master of the binaural recording, Tchad Blake. In fact, I think I prefer the post-Vitalogy material. Blasphemer!
4 - Douglas Mays
uao, this article touches my heart (go to my name after clicking 'See all Blogcritics'). It is good to see Mother Love Bone mentioned. Their "Apple" album I think is the best album to come out of the 'grunge' era.
Funny, I saw MLB a few times, but one was at a club with this band "Alice In Chains" opening. S.S. (Soundgarden Mgt.) told me to watch them, she was thinkin' about signing them.
Oh, good mention of Mookie Blaylock (the grunge royalty thought the basketball player had an interesting name)becoming Temple of the Dog. I saw their live performance in tribute to Andy Wood. Can't remember if they were MB or T ofthe D for the show.
Anyway, thanx for the article. It all was a good time despite the tragedy involved...
peaceloveguidance
5 - shane robertson
Great trip down memory lane. I look foreward to the due album due this spring.
Thanks
6 - James
Pearl Jam has gotten better with every album. Period. Riot Act is unlike anything, not only that they have done, but that anyone is doing. I am a huge music fan. There are so many "The" bands out now that all sound the same - I guess people got tired of trying to clone the PJ sound so they're copping each other now. Pearl Jam has never catered to the masses and have always maintained integrity by doing things their own way - musically and otherwise. And therefore will never go unnoticed, at least by this fan. Hail spring.
7 - Shawn
What I've always loved about Pearl Jam is that they've always gone their own way. They have never released a song that can be considered to be part of a current fad or trend. When Riot Act was released, I instantly loved it. What else was coming out around that time? New age punk, alterna-rockers, etc., that all seemed to sound the same, following the same sort of sound that the labels 'want the kids to hear.'
Pearl Jam has been going strong over 12 years. Their shows are still jam packed or sold out for good reason. They are a talented, real rock band who stay true to themselves and their fans.
I've been a true fan since I first heard Evenflow and will continue to be for the rest of my years.
8 - Tom
Nicely done by a non-diehard fan. Being one - having seen the boys again only this week - I must quickly correct you on Footsteps. Not "newer stuff" it in fact started as one of three instrumental tracks recorded by Stone, Jeff, Mike and Matt Cameron (along with tracks that became Alive and Once) passed along by Jack Irons to Eddie the San Diego surfer boy. Didn't make it on Ten, but was on Temple of the Dog - with Chris Cornell lyrics and vocals as Times of Trouble.