Charleston 1996!!

The 1996 bootleg section has been update with the 10/5 show in Charleston, South Carolina!! Have I mentioned I fucking love No Code!! "Present Tense" and "In My Tree" in the same show and with Jack Irons on drums. The only thing that could make it better is throwing "Who You Are" in the mix. Enjoy the show!!

10/05/96 - North Charleston Coliseum: Charleston, SC [130m]

attendance: 9,000

support act: The Fastbacks

soundcheck: In My Tree, Off He Goes, Mankind

set: Sometimes, Last Exit, Animal, Go, Hail Hail, Dissident, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Not for You, Jeremy, Black, State of Love and Trust, Habit, Rearviewmirror, Elderly Woman, Alive, Blood/(Fame)

enc: Present Tense, Even Flow, Daughter, Improv, Off He Goes, Mankind, Whipping, Footsteps, Yellow Ledbetter

notes: The venue is smallish; the crowd and staff are kind and not killing each other here. PJ takes a while to warm up, not really smoking until midway into the show. During a pause near the end of 'Not for You,' Ed asks, "How we doin' so far?" (crowd cheers) "You don't seem so bad yourself." A rocking 'State' is intro'ed as "... a little number by request." During 'Habit,' Ed pauses, looks out and says, "Speaking as an individual in a band who has never been in this town before." Taking a break after 'Go,' Ed jokes about how when he was a kid he always thought seeing bands on the last night of a tour was great because they would be happy the tour is over and they would be "... drinking and dancing in the street, and they're playing really loud and it's gonna be a four-hour show ..." etc.; but he says that really the second to the last show is the best, and the crowd goes wild! With Ed's voice showing fatigue, he enlists audience assistance ("Want you ... HELP ME! ... in my ... rearviewmirror"). 'Present Tense' is explained as a song that Mike wrote great music for and Ed, when coming up with lyrics, "... needed anything ... anything to make me think. Just a starting point ... so I thought of Pete Townshend. I took his initials and this one is called 'Present Tense.'" Ed plays a brief improv (?) after 'Daughter,' about taking a drive to South Carolina and picking up his best friend.
(2,424k) --> 'Whipping' is dedicated to the crazy people in the front. The audience selects the next song via an "experiment in voting in November." The choices are 'Leash' ("kinda Bob Dole"), 'Leaving Here' (kinda Ross Perot) or 'Footsteps' ("that would be Bill Clinton"). 'Footsteps' is played. Ed's final comments are, "I don't know if it's easy to like this band, but we sure appreciate the fact that you do."

Lubbock 2000!!

The 2000 bootleg section has been updated with the 10/18 show in Lubbock, Texas!! This is really solid show and sounds great as do all of the 2000 North American bootlegs! Probably the sounding set of bootlegs released by the band. If you've seen the Touring Band 2000 DVD this is the show which that version of "Parting Ways" is from. Such an emotional song. Enjoy the show!

10/18/00 - United Spirit Arena: Lubbock, TX

attendance: 15,000

support act: Supergrass

set: Interstellar Overdrive/Corduroy, Breakerfall, MFC, God's Dice, Animal, Dissident, Nothing As It Seems, Given To Fly, In Hiding, Lukin, Not For You, Daughter/?, Elderly Woman, Do The Evolution, Even Flow, Parting Ways

enc 1: Hail Hail, Everyday [Buddy Holly!!], Insignificance, Black, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Crazy Mary, Porch

enc 2: Fuckin' Up, Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Numerous small town type references from Ed, the best of which is the nod to Lubbock native Buddy Holly with his cover of 'Everyday.' He also made several mentions of how much he likes being away from the "industrial pollution" of the big cities and how he's happy to be somewhere with tumbleweeds. Someone tosses a white Texas Tech cowboy hat up and Mike wears it for a while. Ed wears a cowboy hat a bit also, and Stone also dons one during 'Black,' keeping it on until the end of the show (quite the fashion statement with the plaid pants) ;). 'Crazy Mary' is introduced as "There's got to be someone in Lubbock like this." 'Porch' is the only song that really features a full-fledged jam session. A fan (Jamie) is brought up onstage during the 'YL' solo, Ed dances with her, sits her on his monitor, takes a polaroid, then they watch Mike close the show out together and Ed gives her a photo and his bottle of wine.

2004 Update!

The 2004 bootleg section has been updated with the 9/24/04 performance at The Showbox in Seattle!! This was part of the No Vote Left Behind music and arts festival and somewhat of a warm up gig for the Vote For Change tour! Nice setlist and a solid performance in my opinion. Some very good covers including "The American in Me" by The Avengers, "The Seeker" by The Who, and "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan!! Enjoy the show!

09/24/04 - The Showbox: Seattle, WA

attendance: sold out

support act: Smoosh

Ed's pre-set: Don't Be Shy (Included in download)

electric set: Last Exit, Save You, Hail Hail, 1/2 Full, Do The Evolution, The American In Me, Grievance, Love Boat Captain, Insignificance, Given to Fly, U, Go

enc 1 (acoustic): Elderly Woman, Footsteps, Man Of The Hour, Masters Of War, Crazy Mary

enc 2: Even Flow, The Seeker, Down, The New World

notes: PJ's contribution to the No Vote Left Behind music and art festival (with the goal of motivating the youth vote in November to vote out Bush) is this club show at The Showbox. Ed opens with a preset song, 'Don't Be Shy' [a Cat Stevens' song and a nod to the Muslim's (now known as Yusuf Islam) recent skirmish with U.S. officials as a result of his name being on a no-fly list for suspected terrorists]. Ed introduces "two future voters of America," the preteen sister duo Smoosh (Asya and Chloe) who entertain the crowd with a brief set. Rep. Jim McDermott (Washington democrat) provides an introduction for Pearl Jam saying, "If voting becomes the 'in' thing, my generation will be freaked out." Pearl Jam take the stage for an electric set and Boom is there on keyboards. Stone is particularly animated and at one point, his glasses fly off and Ed accidentally steps on them, breaking them! Ed says something to the effect of "this may effect the rest of the gig tonight," and Stone then does a modified duck walk in circles, acting as if he can't see anything, making a funny, cross-eyed face and playing a bunch of disturbingly out of tune riffs. Ed starts laughing (as everyone was) and teases him about how "maybe the show will actually sound better now" or, remarking to the noise from Stone's guitar, "that actually soundsbetter." 'The American In Me' is a song by The Avengers, a California punk band. Returning for an acoustic set, Ed jokes, "We're going to do this next bit sitting down ... not because we're old, because you're old." Dylan's 'Masters Of War' is a slower version featuring the whole band. During Boom's 'Crazy Mary' solo, Mike is near his the back, playing rhythm with his eyes closed and his head back. Boom is going crazy, but the solo went on and on and Boom is looking like he's dying and Mike can jump in any time. Ed walks across the stage, hollers at Mike several times (finally from two feet away) and snaps him out of his trance, Mike looks at Boom and immediately transitions into his solo with Ed and Stone laughing. The encore is electric again, opening with 'Even Flow' and followed by 'The Seeker' (by The Who). Infrequently performed 'Down' is dedicated to Howard Zinn. Introduced as an American hero, John Doe (X) makes a surprise appearance, performing X's 'The New World' with PJ and explaining how it was written when Ronald Reagan was president and Doe references Reagan as "the devil himself." Very little chat at this show, political or otherwise.

1996 Update!!

The 1996 bootleg section has been updated with both Randall's Island shows!! I have had these in MP3 format for a while and finally found an active torrent with the FLAC files the other day. These are some great shows!! Particularly the almost three hour long marathon 9/29/96 performance. Two Feet Thick notes are below. Enjoy!!

09/28/96 - Downing Stadium (Randall's Island): New York, NY [115m]
attendance: 30,000
support act: Ben Harper, The Fastbacks
set: Last Exit, Hail Hail, Animal, Spin the Black Circle, Red Mosquito, In My Tree, Lukin, Not for You, Better Man/(Save it for Later), Corduroy, Jeremy, Dissident, State of Love and Trust, Black, Habit, Rearviewmirror, Alive, Blood/(Noise of Carpet)
enc 1: Who You Are, Even Flow, Daughter/I Believe in Miracles/WMA, Whipping, Leaving Here, Indifference
notes: Despite the torrential downpour, Blues Traveler's John Popper jams with Mike during 'Even Flow.' (Ed gives John a big hug and a handshake at the end.) 'Whipping' is paused very briefly in the middle because someone seems to be hurt or fighting. Ed says, "Is that all?" and with a quick "1, 2, 3, 4," the song resumes right where they left off. Prior to 'Indifference," Ed comments on how it seems to him from letters the band gets, the things they read and people they've met, that lots of people are meeting each other through PJ's music. He adds, "To me, that's the best part of this whole thing and I'm honored to be a part of it." (so true ... and very cool to have it acknowledged)

09/29/96 - Downing Stadium (Randall's Island): New York, NY [168m]
attendance: 30,000
support act: Ben Harper, The Fastbacks
set: Sometimes, Go, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, Animal, Tremor Christ, Who You Are, Corduroy, Lukin, Better Man, Not for You, Jeremy (new), Once, Rats, Last Exit, Habit, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Whipping, I Got Shit, Black, Alive, Porch
enc 1: In My Tree, Even Flow, Daughter/(The Real Me)/(ABitW)/(WMA), Mankind, Long Road, Leaving Here
enc 2: Off He Goes, Present Tense, Yellow Ledbetter
notes: A nearly three-hour show with a raging pit. The band stops playing several times in an effort to get the crowd to settle down. During 'Porch,' Ed duct-tapes his *entire* body and jumps into the pit. (Thought we'd never see that again!) Just before the first encore, someone throws an "Eddie Vedder for President" t-shirt up on stage. Ed looks at it and says, "Well I'll tell you the truth ... I smoke pot! I didn't exhale though!" Stone asks for a chant of "Stone, Stone, Stone!" before singing 'Mankind.' During the encore, Mike starts playing 'Yellow Ledbetter' after 'Leaving Here,' Ed stops him and they go into 'Off He Goes' followed by 'Present Tense!' Incredible setlist.

Cleveland '98!!

The 1998 bootleg section has been updated with the 8/26/1998 show in Cleveland, OH!! The notes and setlist are below. Enjoy the show!!

08/26/98 - Blossom Music Center: Cuyahoga Falls, OH [109m]

attendance: 18,445

support act: Iggy Pop

soundcheck: Black Diamond [KISS song], Noise of Carpet (the whole song), Leatherman, Off He Goes, Red Mosquito (with Ed on harmonica at the end)

set: Hail Hail, Animal, Given to Fly, Corduroy, MFC, Immortality, Footsteps, Even Flow, Jeremy, In Hiding, Daughter/(My City Was Gone)/(WMA), Brain of J, Rearviewmirror, Better Man, Wishlist, Alive

enc 1: Elderly Woman, Do the Evolution, Leatherman, Black, Baba O'Riley

enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter

notes: Ed starts the show by arriving onstage via skateboard. 'Immortality' is renamed by people at the show as "Matt Fuckin' Cameron" due to his stellar work on this number. Ed notes, "... we're on our way to Philadelphia tomorrow ... and we haven't played there in a long time. We're going to have to get out of here early to be sure we get there in time ... it's a long drive." The crowd boos and Ed laughs and continues, "I'm just fuckin' with you. You like to be fucked with, right?" 'My City Was Gone' is by the Pretenders, who are from Ohio (Akron to be precise), and is a song about Cleveland. After 'Black,' Ed mentions that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland: "Earlier this evening, I know you've got a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...we drove by it, I don't know who runs the place, but...those people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones..." Jeff interrupts, saying: "And where's the fucking Iggy exhibit, goddamn it!" Ed chuckles: "So what I was gonna say, was, it's right by the airport, but we're a lot closer tonight, having Iggy Pop here, standing right here ... let's just say next time we play here, it could be a year, maybe two...we hope, if it happens... if Iggy's not in yet, after the show, we're all gonna go down there and blow the place up...speaking of the hall of fame [he holds up a sign saying 'Baba'] - the WHO!" and the band busts into 'Baba O'Riley.' [The Stooges, Iggy's first band, were recently nominated to the HOF, but did not get in.] 'Wishlist' ends with the "radio song" verse, but instead of saying "I guess it never stops" he says "I guess it has to stop". Jeff comes out for 'Yellow Ledbetter' wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey with Shawn Kemp's name and uniform number on the back.

Birmingham 1998

Back with another update to the 1998 bootleg section. This one is also from the third leg of that wonderful Yield tour!! From the Two Feet Thick notes below seems like a pretty intense performance from Ed and the boys on this night! Enjoy the show!
09/03/98 - Birmingham-Jefferson Coliseum: Birmingham, AL [117m]
attendance: 19,000
support act: Mudhoney
set: Release, Hail Hail, Animal, Given to Fly, (Dueling Banjos), Corduroy, Immortality, Wishlist, Go, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind)/(Stuff and Nonsense), Footsteps, Even Flow, Jeremy, Faithfull, Brain of J, Better Man, Rearviewmirror, Porch
enc: Elderly Woman, Leatherman, Do the Evolution, Alive, Black, Baba O'Riley
notes: During 'Hail Hail,' Jeff has his eyes closed the whole time, grooving. Mike hits his stride during 'Corduroy.' 'Immortality' lasts forever with the strobe light; on 'Go' - Ed can DANCE! Ed sings "I wish I could tell my friends how much I really care" during 'Wishlist.' In 'Daughter' he starts howling and barking before going into the tag. "We wrote this this morning" before 'Even Flow'. Ed changes the lyrics to "I gather speed from me fucking with you" during 'RVM,' with the strobe lights crazy, Ed dancing with his arms going in a million directions, Mike putting the guitar behind his head, Ed breaking the mic stand. The start of 'Porch' is botched; Ed quits singing until Stone catches the rhythm. Ed jumps into the crowd during Mike's solo during 'Porch,' tripping over one of the monitors climbing back onto the stage. At the beginning of the encore, Ed comes out, pumped and jumps over the amp beside Matt's drum kit. With no music and the crowd screaming, he does a little step like 1,2 cha cha cha, looks at the crowd and says, "What am I doing?" and starts laughing, repeating "What the fuck am I doing?" :) During 'Alive,' Jeff plays to Stone, Mike's on fire, Ed runs all the way around the stage. Ed gets a lot of feedback through his mic during 'Black' (the third time it had happened) and gets mad, going over to the soundboard and shoves his finger in the air, yelling ... later and smiling at him. The band all has on big silver sunglasses (and really big smiles) during 'Baba O'Riley.' A fan makes it onto the stage from behind and is dragged down by several rough security staffers after nearly pulling down one of the candles. Ed ends it with a huge Daltrey mic-swing, finally tossing his mic over the lighting rig and leaving it hanging there as the band leaves the stage.

First Show of 2008 announced!!

This is from the www.pearljam.com website. Hopefully the boys will decide to do a few more shows this year but at least we have some news of a show. I'm really hoping for they make another trip to the Spectrum in Philadelphia before they tear that bitch down. 4/28/2003 was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Check out the bootleg if you haven't already. It's available in the 2003 section. Here's the word for Bonnaroo!!

Pearl Jam has officially confirmed they will perform at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festival. The 4-day music festival will be held on June 12-15th in Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets go on sale February 16th at 12:00pm EDT, through bonnaroo.com.

Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, My Morning Jacket, Willie Nelson, Phil Lesh & Friends, B.B King, Sigur Ros, The Raconteurs, and Death Cab For Cutie are among the confirmed acts for the festival. A full line-up and more information about the festival can be found at bonnaroo.com.

As a unique, unprecedented offer to festival fans, Bonnaroo is presenting the option to purchase a commemorative DVD of the 2008 festival at the time of ticket purchase. The DVD will feature exclusive performances and backstage footage, as well as other festival highlights. Visit the official festival website www.bonnaroo.com for more information.

There are no Ten Club tickets for the festival. Tickets for the festival will only be available through bonnaroo.com beginning February 16th at 12:00pm EDT.

Looks like a pretty kickass lineup!! Pearl Jam and Metallica in one place is totally insane! Probably the two best live acts on the planet right now. I haven't seen Metallica for about 10 years and I know there last album sucked dog nuts but they put on a killer show!! To those that are planning to go... enjoy!

More bootlegs coming soon!!!

1993 Update!

Reaching deep back into the vault for this 1993 bootleg section update. This is a unique little set that includes "Throw Your Arms Around" and also Dave A. apparently passed out so they had to play a few songs minus the drums! Enjoy the show!!

11/20/93 - Stephen F. Austin Arena: Nacogdoches, TX [90m]

support act: Urge Overkillset: Daughter, Glorified G, Why Go, Deep, Take Me, Even Flow, Go, Animal, Alone, Sonic Reducer/?/Garden, Jeremy, Blood, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter, Footsteps, Throw Your Arms Around Me, Rockin' in the Free World

notes: Unusual opening with 'Daughter.' A smoking 'Sonic Reducer.' Dave collapses after 'Alive' so the pace slows down and PJ performs 'Yellow Ledbetter' and 'Footsteps' sans drums. Blackie Onassis, Urge Overkill's drummer, joins PJ for 'RitFW.'

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.