Crocodile Cafe 1998!!

A little bonus here In The Present Tense today with the 10/10/1998 performance at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle!! Pearl Jam played this small, small venue in support of Cheap Trick and it is a sweet little set!! Get it in the 1998 bootleg section!!

10/10/98 - Crocodile Cafe: Seattle [39m]
supporting: Cheap Trick
capacity: 341 lucky motherfuckers!!
soundcheck: Naked Eye (bits), Angie (snippets), Corduroy, Not For You, Spin the Black Circle, Leaving Here, Leatherman (little vocals), I Got Shit, MFC (Not included inn recording)
set: MFC, Habit, Corduroy, Immortality, Spin the Black Circle, All Those Yesterdays, Leatherman, Leaving Here, Do The Evolution, Soldier of Love
notes: The rumor that had all Seattle a-buzz came to fruition tonight, the last night of Cheap Trick's three night stand. A very rested and relaxed looking PJ (featuring a newly raven-haired Mr. McCready, sporting the MSG I Van Halen shirt) took the tiny Croc stage after a really warm introduction by Rick Nielsen. The set is notable for the fact that 1) no radio hits, and 2) almost all were songs with Eddie on guitar. This has to be the most adventurous setlist in years. 'Immortality' is nothing short of tremendous thanks to none other than one Matthew D. Cameron, who OWNS the song, to the point that the Cheap Trick fans in the audience all noted it after the set as a standout (and were asking what record it was on!). Ed's eyes are closed and he doesn't start to make eye contact until 'STBC,' where he sheds the guitar and breaks out into the trademark Ed shuffle-dance (as best he could in that tiny space - PJ set up IN FRONT of Cheap Trick's equipment). Mike runs up on top of Rick Nielsen's guitar platform during the song as well, to much amusement. After the song ends, Ed remarks to the crowd that the previous song was about vinyl - "Remember vinyl? ... imagine how different it would be if all Cheap Trick's records had been [and he outlines a cd sized square with his hands] ... 'Got my Kiss CD's out' doesn't have quite the same ring ..." [quoting from Cheap Trick's 'Surrender']. Matt sings backup (along with Stone and Jeff) on a super version of 'All Those Yesterdays.' Jeff plays one of Tom Petersson's 12-string basses on 'Corduroy'; 'Leavin' Here' is notable in that the solo order was Stone, *Jeff*, Ed, Mike. Mike further adds to it by running and grabbing a handful of Rick Nielsen's guitar picks and tossing them at the audience (just like Rick does!). 'Soldier of Love' is not on the setlist, but is added at the last minute after a hurried conference. Tight, razor-sharp and perfect, while staying within the 40-minute time slot allotted to the opening bands.

1998 Bootleg Update!!

Alright! Back with another show from the 3rd leg of the 1998 Yield Tour! This one is actually the first show from leg three in Noblesville, Indiana just outside the beautiful city of Indianapolis! I was actually living and working in Indy at the time of this show but unfortunately didn't make it to the show. I was fortunate enough to go to the Indy 500 when I was living out there though. That was insane! SPEED!!!!! Anyway, the 1998 bootleg section has been updated with the 8/17/98 show!! As always, enjoy the music!

08/17/98 - Deer Creek Music Center: Noblesville, IN [105m]
attendance: 20,500
set: Long Road, Hail Hail, Brain of J, Last Exit, Given to Fly, Corduroy, MFC, (new Jeremy improv), Immortality, Even Flow, Nothingman, Rearviewmirror, Wishlist, In Hiding, Spin the Black Circle, Alive, Go
enc 1: Better Man/(Save it for Later), Daughter, Do the Evolution, Leaving Here
enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter
notes: The first show of the East Leg of the 1998 US Tour finds the band in EXCELLENT energy and spirits. All the members are spotted sidestage rocking out to Iggy Pop's tremendous opening set, and it seems as though his energy inspired them to kick ass. Ed's hair is shorter, blacker and slicked back, and he greets the audience with, "Okay, fuckers, our turn" (making reference to Iggy's rants at the dead crowd for his set). 'MFC' is prefaced with, "If you ever wanna get out of town, expand your boundaries, the best way might not be a tractor... but if a tractor's all ya have, go for it." Ed sings an interesting improv, based on the structure of the new 'Jeremy,' with the lyrics being, "The President spoke in court today." 'Immortality' is a total Matt Cameron-based jam, so much so that Ed makes a point of giving him props at the end. Stone is absolutely on fire tonight, jumping, thrashing, at the front of the stage constantly. 'Nothingman' is dedicated to the lawn (Ed claiming that that's where he would have been at that show, if he hadn't found a way to sneak down front). During 'Alive,' Ed balances on Pete's shoulders to grab hands down front, and then runs to the left and right side to do the same thing, afterwards applauding the crowd: "Good job, Indy - good job tonight." Prior to the first encore, Ed acknowledges some of the signs in the audience requesting songs, as well as one reading "Ed Lewinsky" and then they play a brief clip of Clinton's speech from that afternoon, follow ed by Ed reading excerpts from it; at the end he comments, "I have one word to say - 'consensual'." 'Better Man' is dedicated in turn to both Bill and Hillary Clinton, and the tag has the melody of 'WMA,' but no words are sung. His parting words are, "Behave like rock stars - not like the President." Crowd was amazing and the band was really happy because of it. (On the written setlist but not played: Porch, Indifference, Present Tense, Off He Goes)

VFC!!!

Today another new section has been added to the site!! That's right it's the 2004 bootleg section containing shows from the Vote For Change tour!! A great set of shows with a great purpose in mind (get rid of the Bush admin.). Well we know that it failed in the sense of getting the U.S. a new president but at least we've got some great shows to remember. What better time to get these shows out there than in another election year. Those of you from the states please make sure you vote and especially vote in your states primary for Gods sake. That's when we actually have a voice in who will get the nomination. I recommend Ron Paul. Check him out if your undecided. He's got some different views from most of the clowns running! OK, end of political rant! So go to the 2004 bootleg section and grab the first three shows from the VFC tour!! Great, great setlists on this little tour!

10/01/04 - Sovereign Center: Reading, PA [140m] (Vote for Change Tour)

Set: Love Boat Captain, Animal, Brain Of J, Do The Evolution, Nothing As It Seems, Insignificance, The American In Me, Gimme Some Truth, Given to Fly, 1/2 Full, Sad, Go

enc 1 (acoustic): Soon Forget, Elderly Woman, Masters Of War, Nothingman, Crazy Mary

enc 2: Last Kiss, Daughter/(Blitzkrieg Bop), Bleed for Me, The New World (w/Tim Robbins), Alive

enc 3: Baba O'Riley, Yellow Ledbetter

notes: After Ed finishes his preset, he says he's going to read a statement, opens up a piece of paper and talks about bringing a conservative senator for Pennsylvania on stage to give the conservatives fair time. An old man with his legs draped in a flag comes out in a wheelchair and he begins to play a song while the crowd boos. He takes hold of the microphone and seems to be electrocuted and he falls and the lights go down. But when the lights return, it was all an act by Tim Robbins and the Gob Roberts set begins. Poor acoustics at this venue and a stack blows to make it worse. A big highlight is 'Sad' (a Binaural outtake appearing on the Lost Dogs release), played at a live show for the first time tonight. The acoustic set begins with Ed saying, "Anybody who is undecided, if you think about it, being undecided is really dangerous, and I have a perfect example: people with mullets. That's indecision. "Do I want it short? Do I want it long? I just can't take a stand.'" Then he introduces 'Soon Forget': "This is for the rich guys, the really rich guys, who love it when you don't vote." Ed later teases that will play 'Bushleaguer,' but instead play a "love song" ('Nothingman'). Tim Robbins helps out with 'The New World' again. Mike totally misses his solo in 'Baba,' then realizes he needs to play (with Stone and Ed both looking his way) and botches it.

10/02/04 - Sports Arena: Toledo, OH (Vote for Change Tour)

set: Long Road, Corduroy, Hail Hail, Save You, The American In Me, Cropduster, I Am Mine, Wishlist, Better Man, I Believe In Miracles, Even Flow, Bleed For Me, Alive

enc 1 (acoustic): Thumbing My Way, Elderly Woman, Black, Harvest Moon (Ed and Neil)

enc 2: All Along the Watchtower, Act of Love, Cortez The Killer, Rockin' in the Free World

notes: Big, big show with Neil Young heard soundchecking with the band. Toward the start of the show, Ed quote some statistics: "Four percent of the whole US population is in Ohio. You account for 25% of the jobs that have been lost in the last four years. That's staggering. And this is a swing state?" At the end of the acoustic set, Ed says something about a friend "... who came a long way, I thought to see us, but really I think he came out to see you" and Neil and Pegi Young take the stage. 'Harvest Moon' ends the acoustic set and is just Ed and Pegi on vocals with Neil playing acoustic guitar. The encore songs include Neil (obviously) and the final three songs also include Neil's wife Pegi, plus Peter Frampton For 'Act of Love,' Ed and Pegi stand to one side providing vocals, with Neil fronting. Neil tells the crowd to get friends registered to vote and "... maybe we can turn this whole thing around."

10/03/04 - Delta Plex: Walker (Grand Rapids), MI (Vote for Change Tour)

set: Breakerfall, Last Exit, Save You, Do The Evolution, Even Flow, Light Years, Sad, Not For You, Whipping, 1/2 Full, Bleed for Me, Blood

enc 1 (acoustic): Millworker (Ed solo), Elderly Woman, Footsteps, Masters of War, Crazy Mary

enc 2: Given To Fly, Daughter/(Song X)/(War), Insignificance, The New World, Kick Out The Jams

enc 3: Alive, Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Show begins with a great run of high energy songs. 'Light Years' is dedicated to Johnny Ramone and 'Sad' is dedicated to Linda. A new cover, 'Millworker' is by James Taylor, and starts the acoustic set with Ed playing solo. 'Masters Of War' includes the changed lyrics,"... for threatening my daughter, just born and just named." The 'Song X' tag is particularly appropriate given the times and the cause. Tim Robbins helps out with 'The New World' again. The second encore concludes on a high note with another new cover, 'Kick Out The Jams' by the radical, Michigan-based band, the MC5. Solid show and setlist.

Double Shot From 1998 Tour!!

Two more updates today to the 1998 bootleg section!! What a wonderful tour this was an so many good recordings to remember it by. Both of todays shows are from the 3rd leg of the '98 tour! Enjoy the shows!

09/1/98 - Lakewood Amphitheater: Atlanta, GA [120m]

attendance: 19,000

set: Hail Hail, Animal, Given to Fly, Do the Evolution, Dissident, Corduroy, I Got Shit, Wishlist, Even Flow, In Hiding, Last Exit, (Yeastie Girls song), Off He Goes, MFC, Better Man, Brain of J, Alive

enc 1: Go, No Way, Rearviewmirror, Daughter/(Talk About the Passion)/(All Those Yesterdays)/(The Wrong Child), Black, Porch

enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Ed says the Yeastie Girls are a feminist punk band from San Francisco and he does a rap-style improv with a drum beat provided by Matt: "We're the Yeastie Girls, with yeastie power, We don't shave and we don't shower ..." Ed leads into 'Off He Goes' saying this is what's it's like to be his best friend. They play 'No Way' thanks to the guys down front with a sign and Ed jokingly says he had seen the "No Way" sign at every show and "I don't want to have to see that fucking sign again" (laughter) and they play it. (He also saw a "Lowlight" sign and responded with a confident "no.") Before 'RVM,' Ed says that he remembers playing it at the Fox Theatre the last time they were in Atlanta and that he thought it was on Easter and that "... was when I believed in God, that was a long time ago." Ed asks if anyone is coming tomorrow night to see The Beasties and he says he's going. 'Talk About The Passion' and 'The Wrong Child' are R.E.M. songs (R.E.M. being from neighboring Athens, GA). Ed is very crowd-friendly and comes into the crowd during 'Porch.' The security guard seemed less than thrilled to go after him. [A shirt is tossed onstage reading "stop skateboard harrassment" and Ed says, "Oh, you have that down here, too!" following with, "Well, I think we need to stop concert harrassment," leading to more comments about security being too tight the previous night (NC) and tonight.] He says we were well behaved and their tactics weren't necessary. Stone screws up the beginning of 'Black' and Ed jokes that it was the first time they'd ever played it. Mike's 'Black' solo is wonderful. During 'Yellow Ledbetter,' Ed changes the lyrics to "... actually, I'd like to stay."

09/15/98 - Great Woods: Mansfield, MA [109m]

set: Sometimes, Corduroy, Hail Hail, Animal, Given to Fly, Daughter, Immortality, Rearviewmirror, (Crazy Mary), Wishlist, Jeremy, Even Flow, Nothingman, Brain of J, In Hiding, Alive

enc 1: Elderly Woman, Not for You, Last Exit, Do the Evolution, Black, Fuckin' Up

enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Ed comes out looking really happy. 'Wishlist' has the "radio song" last verse; during 'In Hiding' instead of singing "cracks along the wall" he fucks up and sings "I had a bong" (lol!). During 'Alive,' Ed takes Mike out on the front of the stage, and Mike falls to the ground, rolling around and playing. During 'Not For You,' Ed drapes himself over the monitors and plays lying on his back. For the encore, he comes out and says, "What an unbelievably shitty Seattle day it's been!" (it had rained earlier in the day). "Actually, there's a couple of things in common between Boston and Seattle: you got history and old buildings, and we got Jimi Hendrix. So, fuck you ... and we got Mike McCready, and also, via San Diego, we got Matt Cameron." and then gives Matt's side project, Wellwater Conspiracy, a big plug.

Sheessel, Germany

The 2007 bootleg section has been updated with a mix soundboard/audience recording of the Hurricane Festival in Germany from 6/24/2007!! Since the band did not release official bootlegs for the 2007 tour this is probably as good as it gets for sound quality from the 07 tour!! The Vic was awesome too however as far as audience recordings go! Enjoy the show!!

06/24/07 - Hurricane Festival, Scheessel, Germany
set: Why Go, Save You, Severed Hand, Grievance, Dissident, Interstellar Overdrive, Corduroy, Faithfull, Green Disease, Given to Fly, Throw Your Hatred Down, Jeremy, Elderly Woman..., Even Flow, Black, Rearviewmirror
first encore: World Wide Suicide, Better Man, Life Wasted, Blood, Baba O'Riley, Yellow Ledbetter
TFT Notes: Pearl Jam headlined the third day of this three-day festival. After five upbeat songs to start the show, Ed says "hello" to all the campers, and gets a loud response. He urges the crowd to take a look at the "beautiful moon in the back row". In the outro to "Faithfull", Ed changes the line "What's a boy to do" to "What's a grown man to do". Ed decribes "Given to Fly" as a Mike McCready song that's "always nice to play in the deep blue sky, underneath it anyway.". "Throw Your Hatred Down" is introduced as a song "by our Uncle Neil ... Neil Young" and contains a energetic, three-phase noisy ending (Ed: "We just wanted him to hear that loud enough in America."). During "Elderly Woman...", Ed sings that "lifetimes they're catching up with all of us." Like other times in 2007, possibly to make it easier to sing, "Life Wasted" is played tuned a half-step lower. Ed sings to the fans during "Black", singing "I'm surrounded by you kids at play / I can feel your laughter, so why do I sear." "Black" ends with "We belong together (2X)/ Maybe we don't belong (2X) / So for the better ... (3X)". The band appreciates the singing at the end of "Black", with Ed mentioning "There's a lot of power up here - a lot of electricity to get the sound and the lights for all the bands that have played over the last few days. Out there, up here, there's wires this thick (holds up hands) to get all this electricity up here, all this power. But there's absolutely more power out there. You have the power and don't you forget it. And we know this because we felt it just now." Ed nods the other bands on the bill, saying "before we continue, there's been kings (Kings of Leon) on this stage, licks (Juliette & The Licks) , and gods (Sonic Youth), so I guess that makes us jewelry." Mike throws the riff of "Voodoo Chile" into the end of Baba, and the show ends with "Yellow Ledbetter".

MSG II 1998!!!

So this is night two at Madison Square Garden in New York 1998. An amazing set all the way through but this show is most known for the first time the boys played "Breath" in a very long time. It was a long campaign by the fans that made it all happen. You'll hear Ed remark about the whole thing just before they deliver this gem of a song! Interestingly enough I seem to recall another song campaign beginning at the Garden in 2003 when Ed read the sign that started it all: "Play Leash You Pussies!!" They eventually did 'drop the leash' but we had to wait until Boston 2006 for that one! Anyway, this is a great show. Hope you enjoy it. Got to the 1998 bootleg section to get!! Notes below are from Two Feet Thick!!

09/11/98 - Madison Square Garden: New York, NY [130m]
support act: Ben Harper
set: Release, Hail Hail, Animal, Even Flow, Given to Fly, Corduroy, MFC, Habit, Faithfull, Daughter/(Beginning to See the Light)/(WMA), Wishlist, Nothingman, Immortality, RVM, Brain of J, Black, Do the Evolution
enc 1: Breath, State of Love and Trust, Off He Goes, Leatherman, Better Man/(Save it for Later), Mankind, Baba O'Riley
enc 2: Indifference (with Ben Harper), Alive
notes: Returning for the encore and yet another sea of "Breath" signs on ever single level of the Garden, Ed tells the crowd they are never satisfied:
"You fucking cocksuckers. [shakes head] You fucking bitch! You know, we come up here as a collective band and we give and we give and you just fucking want more ... and you know what? You deserve it. This is like some kind of organized religion here; I've never seen anything like it. Do you see what's happening? ... the third night in a row, right? [applause] Well, fuck you. We're gonna play it!"
Leading to the first playing of 'Breath' since 1994!!! woo hoo!!! With a brief announcement ("same record, different track"), they follow with 'SoL&T.' 'Mankind' is introduced by Stone saying, "Well, since we're playing every song in the catalog..." 'Baba' is intro'd as being a response to "corporate rock bands who make the mistake of trying to cover a real rock song." 'Indifference' is played with an ecstatic Ben Harper (who has been including 'Indifference' at some of his shows). During 'Alive,' Ed makes four attempts to toss his microphone over the vocal monitor rig above his head, and finally gets it over, but instead of just standing there, he proceeds to CLIMB UP THE MIC CORD and hang there for the rest of the song. Possibly the best show the band has ever played in their life. Period. (And they knew it, too.)

MSG I 1998

Another update to the 1998 bootleg section today with the addition of the 9/10/1998 show at Madison Sqaure Garden!! Remember the "Breath" campaign? It's in full swing on this night New York but it would not be until the following night that the dream was realized!! As always enjoy the show!

09/10/98 - Madison Square Garden: New York, NY [114m]
support act: Ben Harper
set: Long Road, Corduroy, Brain of J, Last Exit, Given to Fly, Animal, Dissident, Jeremy, Daughter/(Mother), Even Flow, In Hiding, I Got Shit, Better Man, Do the Evolution, All Those Yesterdays, Alive
enc 1: Wishlist, RVM, Hail Hail, Black, Elderly Woman, Fuckin' Up
enc 2: Soldier of Love

WPB 1998!!!

Today brings another update to the ever popular 1998 bootleg section!!! Added today is the 9/22/1998 show in West Palm Beach, FL! Below are some fantastic notes on the show from the folks at Five Horizons. As always enjoy the show! More updates are on the way.

09/22/98 - Coral Sky Amphitheatre: West Palm Beach, FL [113m]
set: (Interstellar Overdrive)/Corduroy, Brain of J, Hail Hail, Animal, Red Mosquito, Given to Fly, Even Flow, MFC, Improv/Habit, Wishlist, Daughter, Jeremy, In Hiding, Lukin, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Do the Evolution, Porch
enc 1: Last Exit, Leatherman, Better Man, (Angie), State of Love and Trust, Alive
enc 2: Baba O'Riley
notes: Stone is spotted during Rancid's set from side stage; he appears to know all the lyrics. The lead-in music is 'Aye Davanita' again. It is a hot, humid night and Ed jokes about how the humidity is fucking up his hair (he has a serious 'fro thing going on). The improv leading to 'Habit' (sounding much like the 2/20/98 Maui improv musically), includes the lyrics "dropped three times." Instead of a "speaking as ..." line, Ed plays a slow, distinctive guitar riff. Before 'In Hiding,' he comments how the next song has a chorus he'll need help with from the crowd and how he has trouble remembering ... it "must be that pot I smoked last night." During the 'RVM' solo, Ed strikes a pose with one arm to the right while he is looking left, and he's totally still, not moving, but his sweat is pouring down. More effects on the backdrop: clouds on 'GTF;' water on 'Immortality;' lightning on 'Better Man.' During the 'Porch' jam, Ed starts singing "last dance ... last chance." (Donna Summer anyone?) The 'Angie' snippet is a surprise, seeming as if the intent is to play the entire song but they abandon it after Mike and Ed can't quite get it together after the first few notes. Ed tosses the microphone above the scaffolding during 'Alive' (he doesn't climb the cord), and it isn't retrieved but remains looped into the final encore. Before 'Baba,' Ed thanks Rancid and challenges them to play a Who song. Rather than tossing the tambourine into the crowd during 'Baba,' he throws it frisbee-style at the backdrop, and he joins in on guitar for a rousing ending. A rocking show with the band having fun, despite the heat. (On the setlist but not played: 'Black,' 'Go' and 'Nothingman.')

Vedder Wins Golden Globe!!!

In The Present Tense would like to congratulate Mr. Vedder on his Golden Globe win last night!! Ed won the award for best original song for a movie for his beautiful song Guaranteed which he wrote for Sean Penn's film "Into the Wild"

Guaranteed:

On bended knee is no way to be free
Lifting up an empty cup, I ask silently
All my destinations will accept the one that's me
So I can breathe...

Circles they grow and they swallow people whole
Half their lives they say goodnight to wives they'll never know
A mind full of questions, and a teacher in my soul
And so it goes...

Don't come closer or I'll have to go
Holding me like gravity are places that pull
If ever there was someone to keep me at home
It would be you...

Everyone I come across, in cages they bought
They think of me and my wandering, but I'm never what they thought
I've got my indignation, but I'm pure in all my thoughts
I'm alive...

Wind in my hair, I feel part of everywhere
Underneath my being is a road that disappeared
Late at night I hear the trees, they're singing with the dead
Overhead...

Leave it to me as I find a way to be
Consider me a satellite, forever orbiting
I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me
Guaranteed

4/3/1994

One the all time greatest shows ever recorded is now available here for your enjoyment! Atlanta, Fox Theater, 4/3/1994!! If you haven't heard, or for that matter heard of, this show... you need it in your collection. Incredible!!! is the only way to discribe it! I remember listening to this on the radio in my bedroom when it was broadcast! I probably still have the cassetttes I recorded it on somewhere. Go to the 1994 bootleg section to get it!

04/03/94 - Fox Theater: Atlanta, GA [150m]
attendance: 4,500 (Imagine being one of those lucky bastards)
support act: King's X
soundcheck: (partial list) Go, Better Man, WMA (X2), Manic Depression (Jeff & Stone w/ King's X singer and drummer)
set: Release, Rearviewmirror, Whipping, Even Flow, Dissident, Why Go, Deep, Jeremy, Glorified G, Daughter/(ABitW-II), Go, Animal, Garden, State of Love and Trust, Black, Alive, Blood/(Not for You), WMA, Better Man, Elderly Woman, Rats, Satan's Bed, Once, Sonic Reducer, Porch/(Androgynous Mind), Indifference

First Update of 2008!!

Happy New Year to all our visitors!! Had a nice little vacation from everything for a while but getting back in the spirit of updating the site now. The first update of the new year is 8/31/1998 in Raleigh, North Carolina!! See details below. Visit the 1998 bootleg section to get it!! Hope you enjoy the show. More shows on the way soon!

08/31/98 - Hardee's Walnut Creek Amphitheatre: Raleigh, NC [117m]

set: Sometimes, Corduroy, Animal, Given to Fly, Tremor Christ, Hail Hail, Not for You, Habit, Wishlist, Even Flow, Daughter/(Beginning to See the Light), Footsteps, Immortality, Brain of J, Faithfull, Go, Jeremy, Alive

enc 1: Do the Evolution, State of Love and Trust, Black, Elderly Woman, Better Man

enc 2: Soldier of Love

notes: Mike and Ed are in particularly great spirits. 'Corduroy' features a great Townshend leap by Ed with his white Gibson SG. The 'Wishlist' lyrics include "I wish friends would always be friends until the bitter end." Ed notes, "We've been tryin' to feel y'all out ... we think you can handle this," introducing 'Footsteps.' During 'Brain of J,' a someone in the third row passes out and while everyone is helping her, Ed is watching throughout the whole song (not dancing) to make sure she is OK. He even throws one of his water bottles out to one of her friends for her and comments, ""We've got people passing out up here ... I can only imagine what its like in the back" (big roar from back of the lawn). 'Faithfull' is dedicated to the people in the back. Mike tears the stage up on 'Go,' playing the entire solo for about a minute with the guitar behind his head and seems to get stuck near the edge of the stage and a bed of speakers, prompting Stone to ask if he had gotten stuck! Upon returning for the first encore (Ed sporting a 'blonde era' Lou Reed shirt), the crowd cheers wildly and Ed says, "Aww, you probably say that to all the bands. You're probably the same assholes that were cheering Dave Matthews here last night!" During 'State', Mike starts doing laps around the stage and Ed turns his mic to follow him. On his second lap Ed nails him with a shoulder and almost knocks him down and changes the lyrics to refer to Mike ("help him from himself"). Ed tells a humorous tale about the Mudhoney show the previous night in Chapel Hill, where he bought a beer for some guys standing by him and heard one of them say "I'm under" to which he said "Don't worry, man, I got you covered." He thought the guys were short on cash but they were saying they were underage. The two guys got dragged out of the show halfway through because some "celebrity asshole" (Ed calls himself that) got them in trouble. Ed calls them "poor fuckers" then says he made it up to them and they had backstage passes and definitely had beers in their hands right now! 'Better Man' is dedicated to Michael Jordan, with Ed just referencing someone in a light blue jersey, with number 23. Before the last encore, Ed looks at the crowd and mouths "fucking awesome." Once again, Ed brings a fan onstage for the final encore and has him hold his song book while he sings 'Soldier of Love.'

1994 Update!!

The 1994 bootleg section has been updated with the 4/12 show at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, Mass. This was third of three shows in Boston that year! As usual those fuckers up there are very lucky when it comes to legendary PJ performances! The Two Feet Thick notes are below. Enjoy and visit again soon! More from 1998 on the way shortly!!

04/12/94 - Orpheum Theater: Boston, MA [130]
set: Oceans, Even Flow, Sonic Reducer, State of Love and Trust, Hard to Imagine, Immortality/(Hey Hey, My My), Go, Animal, Glorified G, Daughter/(Suck You Dry), Alone, Not for You, Better Man, Rats, Blood
enc: Release, Tremor Christ, Once, Fuckin' Up, Dirty Frank, Yellow Ledbetter, instrumental jam, Rearviewmirror, Elderly Woman, I've Got a Feeling/jam
notes: The crew created this setlist, full of new songs and b-sides. Mark Arm joins PJ for 'Sonic Reducer.' Standout version of 'Immortality.' Ed's comments: "This is the second to the last night of this fucking tour. Play New York and we are going home. We would like to thank our crew, speaking of 'Rats.' You should also thank the one who made the setlist tonight, cause somebody else made it. This is a fucking awesome place you live in. Lots of history. It is definitely one of the places I want to live." Mike pretends to hide during the appropriate 'Dirty Frank' lyrics. Having a rather cheerful night, Ed quips, "I really shouldn't let you all see me this happy ... people might expect it all the time." During the extended (20+ min.?) 'I've Got a Feeling' jam, Ed lifts a young female attendee from the crowd and puts her on his shoulders, dances a bit and returns her to her seat, giving her some roses.

1998 Bootleg Update

The 1998 bootleg section has been updated this morning with the 9/19/1998 Voters For Choice show in Washington, DC. A fabulous concert with a cause! I can't say much more than the Two Feet Thick notes below but this definately one of the must have shows for any collector out there. Hope you enjoy the show! Much more coming to In The Present Tense!

09/19/98 - Constitution Hall: Washington, DC (Voters for Choice benefit) [125m]

set: I Am a Patriot (before Hovercraft); Long Road, Act of Love, Hail Hail, Dissident, Given to Fly, Corduroy, Wishlist, Not for You, All Those Yesterdays, Daughter/(Roc kin' in the Free World)/(WMA), Whipping, Immortality, Push Me Pull Me, Faithfull, Present Tense, Rearviewmirror, Black, Do the Evolution

enc 1: I Got Shit, Better Man, Alive, Soldier of Love

enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Ed says, "Hi, it feels like we're in the White House ... we haven't played a place with carpet in a while; I think this place is the last bastion of sanity in town. Music is the choice; we're here tonight, you're gonna hear words and entertainment, not in any particular order; Hovercraft's gonna come out (applause ... someone shouts 'Ed for President') ... It's not gonna happen, unless you agree to release the tapes that say, 'Ed was sitting in his hotel room smoking pot out of a bong (applause)" and he goes into 'I Am a Patriot.' Several speakers follow from Voters For Choice, and then Gloria Steinem speaks: "I pledge to you that I will go to jail before I tell Ken Starr anything that goes on here tonight ... These guys live their beliefs; they're smart and good-hearted; they use their heads and their minds, they started out, they had tough times, but they weren't broken by them, and it's rare that any other group that they've remained themselves with their success ... they look after their true selves and your true selves" and then she introduces the band, making mistakes on Stone and Mike's names. =) The band comes out and Ed says, "You know why we're here; we'll talk later." During 'Not for You,' Ed comments: "We want to dedicate this next set of lines to the CC" before the "all that's sacred line" (referring to the Christian Coalition, who are meeting in DC this week). Ed's delivery during 'All Those Yesterdays' is particularly notable and distinct. 'Push Me Pull Me' is a little rough, and Ed shrugs at the end, and then says, "This one we'll do better ..." leading to 'Faithfull.' Somebody passes up a big sign, and he reads it: "Dear PJ: word up, dogs ... you guys fucking kick it. Look us up when you're back in DC, we're in the book; Bill, Hillary and Chelsea." (That was not what the sign really said =)). And then in a Clinton voice, Ed says, "He just needs to go on TV and say, 'Shoot, it's no big deal'...but I guess he already did that a couple of weeks ago." Someone shouts "I love you Eddie," and he replies, "Watch it, keep it consensual ... this isn't about issues." Then someone yells, "I love PJ" and Ed says, "Well, so do I ... this just is bipartisan politics in motion, that's what's ruining the country, ruining the office of the President ... people are playing king of the hill while there's people with lives, families, debts and injury who really need help," before starting 'Present Tense.' Mike's solo during 'Black' is right on, and Ed applauds him, and notes him when the song is over. "The last time we played here was with L7 and Young Neil ... he gave me a song writing lesson at a half-price rate; this is what I came up with ... on my final, he gave me a B+ I think" leading to 'I Got Shit.' Mike sings with Ed during 'Better Man' during the "she dreams in color" line! Ed has a bunch of VFC condoms inside his tambourine and starts handing them out toward the end of 'Alive.' Ed thanks the VFC people, "They're not up there to lead any one astray; don't let the funny business down the street think that voting isn't worth it. Vote for what you believe." 'Soldier of Love' is dedicated to "people on the other side of the issue." Gloria comes out with roses before 'YL,' and says, "There's history here tonight; this is the first time Hovercraft has played Voters for Choice; Pearl Jam's third; Sadie 7 is really Beth Liebling, Ed Vedder is Ed Vedder; these are two artists, married to each other, here tonight, both for this cause, and dedicating their time. I want to thank Stone and Mike for not getting pissed at me for messing up their names. I don't know if I can get Beth out here .. (the audience chants 'Beth, Beth') ... this is the crew's bread and butter, I want to thank them for donating their time tonight." Then Beth comes out, takes a rose, she and Ed do a little dance; Beth leaves, and Gloria says, "Democracy comes to those who vote," and the band goes into 'YL.'

1994 Update

The 1994 bootleg section has been updated with the 3/20 show in Ann Arbor, Michigan!! Enjoy!

03/20/94 - Crisler Arena: Ann Arbor, MI [115m]
attendance: 8,000
set: Jeremy, Go, Animal, Dissident, Even Flow, Glorified G, Daughter/Improv/WMA, Breath, State of Love and Trust, Last Exit, Garden, Why Go, Deep, Alive, Porch
enc: Nothingman, Three Little Birds, Yellow Ledbetter, Black, Rearviewmirror, Not for You, Blood, Indifference
notes: PJ required that 2,000 tickets be set aside for students. A fun show, with the band playing "Name That Tune" with the audience. To "keep each show different," PJ encores with a "few mellow song." This is the first time 'Nothingman' has been played live. 'Three Little Birds' is a Bob Marley song. Ed jokes about a bomb threat in Indiana and then, "... they tell us that there's escapees from the insane asylum. They can be identified by the yellow wristband." The floor audience holds up their arms, displaying their yellow wristbands. Ed ends the show by pleasing the crowd with: "Detroit rock city, we'll come back again."

Verona 2000!!

The 2000 bootleg section has been updated with another stellar show!! Verona, Italy 6/20/2000!! The setlist pretty much speaks for itself but as you know the Italian shows always have a little something special about them. This is a must have from this tour in my opinion! Enjoy!!!

06/20/00 - Arena: Verona, Italy [139m]
attendance: 15,000so
set: Long Road, Grievance, Corduroy, Hail Hail, Animal, Nothing As It Seems, Pilate, Given To Fly, Even Flow, O' Sole Mio, MFC, Habit, Wishlist, Daughter/(Beautiful Way), State of Love and Trust, Once, Lukin, Immortality, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror
enc 1: In the Coliseum improv, Black, Breakerfall, Do The Evolution, Elderly Woman, Better Man, I Got You (Split Enz), Alive, Last Kiss, Porch
enc 2: Soon Forget, Yellow Ledbetter

MP3s Added for Miami '94

The 1994 bootleg section has been updated with 320kbps MP3s of the Miami show from 3/28/1994. More updates coming soon!!

2007 Section Added

That's right. We've added a section for the 2007 bootlegs and the first update to that section us the Copenhagen show from 6/26/2007!! This show has been talked about frequently on the Message Pit and some folks were looking for a FLAC version to download. If you are one of those people... got get here!!

06/26/07 - Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark
Ed pre-set: Throw Your Arms Around Me
set: Long Road, Corduroy, Why Go, Do the Evolution, In Hiding, Love Boat Captain, Love Reign O'er Me, Severed Hand, Light Years, Marker in the Sand, Given to Fly, Breath, I Am Mine, Elderly Woman..., Hard To Imagine, Life Wasted, Porch
first encore: No More, World Wide Suicide, Down, Once, Black, Alive
second encore: Better Man/(Save it for Later), Rockin in the Free World, Yellow Ledbetter

Hartford 1996

Another update to the 1996 bootleg section today!! I haven't listened to this one yet either so I don't what to say about accept that it's fuckin' Pearl Jam from 1996 so go get it!! Peace. Enjoy the show. Notes from Two Feet Thick are below:

10/02/96 - Meadows Music Theatre: Hartford, CT [131m]

set: Long Road, Hail Hail, Animal, Last Exit, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Not for You, Jeremy, Red Mosquito, Black, Rearviewmirror, Lukin, Elderly Woman, State of Love and Trust, Footsteps, Alive, Blood/(Fame)/(Noise of Carpet), Porch

enc: Who You Are, Even Flow, Daughter/(The Real Me)/(WMA), Leaving Here, Present Tense, Yellow Ledbetter (with Little Wing lick)

notes: Great long show with a very talkative Ed. During 'Not For You' Ed talks about the meaning of the song, saying it's not directed towards fans, but "a different entity ... someone who thinks they're more important than the people making the music; the people listening to the music; or the music itself. And this is just a reminder that they're not." 'Alive' is started and stopped, because of technical problems. Ed sings 'Footsteps', while everything is straightened out. Part of the fence comes down during 'Blood' and a near riot ensues. (In reality, when the barrier came down, security guards began using pepper spray. The wind was blowing into the pavilion, forcing people with seats to venture nearer the stage to escape it, making it seem like there was a mad rush to the stage.) During 'Porch' Ed tries to calm the crowd down while Mike plays a little part of Chicago's '25 or 6 to 4'. Ed says, "It's like swimming on coral ... there are chairs and people below you, settle down!" "Darlin' you don't want to be up there. That's for the people up front. The people up top you guys go fuckin' nuts! But the people up front settle down." Before they start 'Who You Are', Ed tries to calm the crowd: "It's a little crazy up here. You can sit down, it's cool. I can see you all if you sit, or stand, you can see me too. Ok, the next three words for the next five minutes are Peace and Love." He changes the second line of the second verse saying, "fuck the stage divers." After the song he reiterates, "This is all good. We're going to keep playing but I want to change the policy in the front row here. Security, you listening? Usually you come over the top you get two, three chances. You guys, anybody who comes over the top, you're going out. Just stay on the floor, you got it, ok? You look good where you are. Just stay where you are." For the 'Daughter' tag, Ed gets the crowd to sing along, "like in New York" to 'The Real Me.'

1992 Update

Well it appears that several of you have already noticed this update that was made a couple days ago to the 1992 bootleg section but here is the official announcement. The 1992 bootleg section has been updated with the 9/26/1992 show in Honolulu, Hawaii!! I've listened to this show several times now and it's awesome!! Sweet little improv to the tune of "Hard to Imagine" and a very rockin' "Rockin' in the Free World" to close it out! Enjoy the show!!

Two Feet Thick Notes:
09/26/92 - Andrew's Amphitheater: Honolulu, Hawaii
set: Release, Why Go, Deep, Jeremy, Breath, Even Flow, Improv, State Of Love And Trust, Black, Improv/Jam (based on Hard To Imagine), Alive, Porch
enc: Improv/Jam, Sonic Reducer, Rockin' In The Free World
notes: After a nice 'Release' opening, Ed says, "We're in a beautiful place. Why go home?" leading to guess what song? After a few opening licks of 'Breath' are played, the song is announced as 'A Breath and a Scream,' as it frequently was called then. Later Ed asks, "Did we meet some of you guys last night? Cause the tickets were good for both nights, right? That's how I wanted it to work out." After repeating, "I'm not crazy, I'm not crazy," they launch into 'Even Flow.' A few 'Hard To Imagine' riff are played after 'SOLAT,' and an improv based on 'Hard To Imagine' follows 'Black.' Ed tells the crowd, "You're all gonna die some day; you're all gonna die fat and old ... it's true," leading to 'Alive,' followed by some guitar noodling. Ed compliments the "pit" likening it to a "Norelco razor" with the three spinning heads. The second set opens with a jam with lyrics based loosely on 'Throw Your Arms Around Me.' Ed thanks everyone who they've met and says it makes them want to move there and "I wanna have your baby." After 'TITFW,' Ed says goodbye and then asks the lights to be turned back up: "I wanna get a picture of these guys."

Hartford 1998

This show was a request from someone over on the Message Pit and I happened to stumble upon it in my never ending search for Pearl Jam shows. This one certainly sounds like an interesting show as far as the crowd and security guard interaction. Any way the show notes from Two Feet Thick are below with the details. Go get Hartford, 9/13/1998 in the 1998 bootleg section!!

09/13/98 - Meadows Music Theater: Hartford, CT [100m]

support act: Ben Harper

capacity: 35,000 (although capacity is 30,000)

set: Corduroy, Animal, Hail Hail, Given to Fly, I Got Shit, Go, Dissident, Tremor Christ, Daughter, Jeremy, Even Flow, Faithfull, MFC, Spin the Black Circle, Wishlist, Do the Evolution

enc: Brain of J, Breath, RVM, Better Man, Alive, Porch

notes: The security staff at this venue are horrible and pepper spray is smelled during the show. Ed messes up the 'Even Flow' lyrics in the exact same place for the fourth straight performance, asking the crowd for the lyrics. 'Faithfull' intro: "The next song is about belief. Don't get a tattoo of a guy's face unless he's dead so he can't fuck up. I was really proud of that Clinton tattoo ... Everyone raise your middle finger and yell, 'Get on with it!.'" At the start of the encore, many people in the crowd raise "thank you" signs (the thank you for PJ playing 'Breath the previous night) and Ed says, "Ah, so you all were in New York?" and makes a joke about how all of the Connecticut people must be in the back of the venue. 'Breath' is introduced as "one we haven't played in a while but it sounded pretty good last night" and they seem to really enjoy playing it. During, 'Alive,' the show takes a dramatic turn when Ed notices asshole security fucking with someone in the crowd (who is holding up a flashlight?) and Ed grabs Eric Johnson's flashlight and puts it on the security staff, displeased. He tells everyone to go dance in the aisles, and everyone rushes forward. There is a crush toward the front that continues through 'Porch.'