From a GrungeReport.net article (http://bit.ly/bKq4TI), with links to a Danish website article (http://gaffa.dk/artikel/36515).

Here’s a loose translation.

Pearl Jam interview Part 2: We are a nuisance to work with

By Henrik Tuxen
Wednesday 13-01-2010 kl. 13:26 13:26

The second part of the interview with Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, the relationship between greatness and change, interaction with fans, working with producer Brendan O’Brien, constantly changing in Sætliste and fight for a better climate, among other things are on the menu

This year, Pearl Jam, celebrating its 20th anniversary. In this context, GAFFA Pearl Jam expert Henrik Tuxen – author of “The Pearl Jam Footsteps” – made a marathon interview with guitarist Stone Gossard. Here comes the second part. The first part you can read here, and the third and final part follows shortly.

There was great speculation in Denmark, since I announced your tour schedule for summer 2010. There was a hole in the calendar on 1 July, Roskilde Festival starts, but it is so filled now with a concert in Poland. So I come not to Roskilde?

- No, we do not. We looked at various options, we had to tour. We do not want to tour more than three weeks, we will no longer be away from our families and normal lives. We looked at places we had not been long. We need to Ireland where we have not played in many years, and we must play in Belfast for the first time. We’re going to Scotland for the first time in a long time. These were the dates that gave the most money, and it was what could best be done. We should also pay bills at home. But we come back to Denmark again, and it will be a special show again, I am sure where you want to think about what happened in his time.

Nothing stays the same
It seems as though there have been two eras in Pearl Jam’s life. It was the first four-five, the huge commercial success, years, and so since “No Code” from 1996 has sold well and stable, but smaller. Is Pearl Jam or mainstream, who have made a move?

- Nothing is to remain the same forever. If you must continue to be great, you really, really work at it to keep the greatness, and we’ve certainly never worked particularly hard to keep up the greatness. We have worked hard to be a band to be true to ourselves and each other. But I do not think necessarily that it be translated into huge, continuous mainstream success. I do not think people were so curious about us, after their initial understanding and interaction with the band. I would say that it has been a healthy process for us to be great, enjoy it and then see what it is to not be so much in the mainstream focus. During the same period have we developed the relationship with our fans in the live arena and via the Internet to our supporters. We have developed new ways to get music out to people, have developed artwork,’ve communicated what we are going to do and how our approach to it will be.

- It has been two-fold, you are right in that it divides the “No Code”. People had gotten hold of our sound but we are not exaggerating our sound more and more each time trying to get all the same people the whole way. I think that a band like U2 has been incredible in comparison to the point where, once again, find a track with a brand new single that is so focused and defined, with the combination of rock and pop, they have mastered. They go after the biggest thing every once in their process. They are not interested in trying to play with the little ball, or creating things in a raw, quick style. They have taken an early election and has stood by the post. They will develop, and every single idea they have, so it reaches as many people as possible, and make it as big as it possibly can be.

- For us, it’s just not always been our goal. It has further been letting our own fingerprints switch from one color and expression to another. And sometimes the colors smeared, they are unfinished and may be more unprofessional. But in the long run, something like that sounds pretty good. It’s a bit like to hear “Black & Blue” or “Exile on Main Street” with the Rolling Stones. You know they did not play the songs 30 times, maybe they have played them a couple times, maybe it’s been a jam. There is a special freshness of some of the Stones discs, sometimes it’s as if there bad been pressed “record” button (which laughs, ed.). I think that both approaches make sense in its own way, and I think we’re changing our little again. Maybe we are in a phase where we are a little curious as to develop our ideas more, which might appeal to more people in a way. Brendan O’Brien (producer of four-PJ plates from the 90s and the current “Backspacer”, ed.) Has been very important in relation to the way to go.

Anything goes
Do you find that the radio stations between rock and mainstream is more differentiated in the U.S. today than before?

- I’m probably not the best person to answer the question. When I hear the radio, the most black r & b radio, pop, or national radio. But I think that everything is “Topsy Turvy” (turned upside down, Ed.) Currently, compared with the radios and record companies do. There are all sorts of actions, such stations are doing greatest hits mixed with something new, others are doing combinations of old and new alternative rock. And now with digital radio, which all have their own playlist, it’s all “out the window.” But I’m not the best to respond. Should I say something, we are in an age where “anything goes”. You’re just a good idea of finding a way to combine a new genre, a new style, a new band, a radio station or a new format that people can hear music. It seems that it is a really exciting time in terms of what is possible. It is possible for a single individual to get manifisteret a new idea at a fairly high level and have a major impact, since all are so connected today, at least technologically.

Backspacer and O’Brien
The songs on “Backspacer” has a very direct approach and seems to have appealed to a wider audience. Do you think I will repeat the success, and collaboration with Brendan O’Brien?

- Yes, I could well imagine. We are a good combination. His instinct is to make things more accessible and direct, and he typically works to promote clarity and consistency of the Arrangement and ideas. The core of the music comes from us, and texts from Ed, and there are many ways to work with it and develop it. To make clear or more “wise” and hidden, and Brendan is the most direct and most accessible way, and I think it fits well with us. It can open up to a larger audience. Brendan philosophy is a little “let’s make it accessible to all – why keep someone out?” I think it is good because we are five songwriters in the band and all try to be as creative as possible. Here it is good to have someone who says, “hey – let’s be straight and stay focused”, here is the beat, here is the melody, here is the text. There are different ways to put them together, and he really understands the work. It is really exciting and interesting to work with him on that level.

The texts are generally fairly clear on “Backspacer”.

- Yes, I agree, and probably more than usual. Ed has written right straightforwardly. Also, the approach he uses, he can swerve in between, sometimes he likes that word unfolds slowly. He likes the puzzle and make things a little difficult to get in. This time, it has been more like “let all be with” and here’s Brendan also played a role.

Ten – Again
In cooperation took up again with Brendan when he recently remixed 10, what do you think about the outcome?

- I was skeptical about what we would get out of it, what could it help with? But I’m really pleased with the outcome. Perhaps it also gave Brendan an opportunity to learn to know us better as a band when he was not originally involved in the plate. It was interesting to hear the music from the original recordings and now that Brendan has worked on the tracks. There is so much more output, so much more structure in the bass. He has had a clarity and a forward voltage of the trail, in contrast to what we originally gave up when we miksede plate with Tim Palmer. They were cool and made clear impression on people, we got a huge response. It was an exciting journey, and I do not regret that we published it in its time, but I feel that the sound and power of the band seems much more evident in the new mix. But I’m in the band, I can not judge it. What do you think?

I’ve always liked the plate, but felt that “Vs”, “Vitalogy” and “No Code” had more power and homogeneity

- How do I feel also.

There was plenty of good songs on “Ten”, but the plate tended to be over-produced with massive reverb on the guitars throughout. Now that I’ve heard the remixed version seems much more clear impression, powerful and direct. For example, I much prefer the former “Even Flow” live than on record, but here it sounds fat.

- Good to hear. The plate is first and foremost, not just remixes remastereret. It will say that Brendan has gone into every track, has removed all effects and so on, and everything worked and again from the bare basic tracks, set new levels and so on. I would think that he has worked with the plate a couple of weeks

Participated in?

- No, no, it was just Brendan. If we had all been there and looked him over his shoulder, we were never finished, ha, ha. Brendan knows what he wants to hear, he has almost no use of inputs.

From sales magnet for stadium rock
Since “No Code” I have not sold as many records as early in his career, but on the other hand, it seems as if I play more and more concerts. Last of stadium concerts in Australia and New Zealand.

- Yes, I think that we do. In three weeks we have probably played the same number of people in Australia and New Zealand, as if we had played a longer trip in smaller places and been away in maybe six weeks. It’s really nice that it is feasible, otherwise it is a long time to be away from family. Last time we played four arena concerts in Melbourne, three in Sydney, two in Brisbane, two in Perth and so on. This time we played a stadium concert in five different cities in Australia, it saves a lot of time and energy. And finally, I think we have the confidence to play the concerts and the belief that we can do it. And so we carried through, there’s so much sing-along the way, there’s so much energy that the audience contributes to each song. It is the audience that made that we are able to play as big concerts and get it to be what it is. Once the audience begins to sing, it ceases to be about the band, it’s community and a total experience, which sets in. Then you’re just there and play with. I think we will play more concerts and trust that we are okay with it, and spend a little less time playing smaller places, but several outdoor concerts.

You mentioned U2 as a band that has never gone after the little things. Their stadium concerts are choreographed and planned in detail. But the fact that I constantly shifting songs makes it probably impossible to make classic stadium-laden productions?

- The best choice we’ve ever taken has been to opt out of the big chrome stage production. We tour with a 5-7 semis (read truck) with equipment, where artists like the Rolling Stones, U2 and Britney Spears might travel around with 60-70 semi. It is all built substance that fills and costing a fortune, there really is some money to be earned. We have over an enormous freedom. The best is when people are coming to the concerts, as first thought, “It will probably be boring, just to see the young guys on stage and nothing else” but that as soon as the music plays and people sing, so they think: “I am indifferent to everything outside.” We are in a small way begun to show some screens when we play, show people some close ups and so on, and it has worked just fine.

- But basically we are very pleased with the way the concerts are conducted and the response we get. And people appreciate that we are always changing songs in the set, it is the audience who persuaded us to it! First, we made it to ourselves to try it, but now it’s what people expect, and it gives us a unique freedom. There is none of us who click track (metronomlyd, ed.) In monitors, we have only each other, and it is relatively rare today. Most of them are on “The Grid” (wiring harness, ed.) Today. You can get it to sound great when everyone is kept in an electronic beat, when the background vocals and keyboard pieces are sampled. But there is a charm about not having all those things. As with us, we run around, misses tones and korstemmer, but we try anyway. There is nothing funny about it I think.

In Philadelphia on the last night played in 41 different numbers, and the concert lasted a total of 3 hours and 35 minutes.

- Is this the longest we have ever played?

So far as I know. In five hours of crossing the border within the next few years?

- I think I really do not. At the four concerts in Philadelphia, we tried to play everything we could, but four nights was not enough, we need at least five or six nights or seven, if we have to repeat a couple of standards … But let me say this: we can right many songs at the moment, ha, ha.

A nuisance
I have released “Backspacer” even in the U.S. and has had a partial exclusivity agreement with Target (giant department store chain, half as big as Wall Mart, ed.). How did it go?

- I think it’s gone well. Target was very interested in making an agreement with us, and we were looking for a partner in the U.S.. Finally, it was J Records, and it was not as good as we had hoped, and Target offered us much more money than any record company. We started to negotiate what we wanted. They have won the exclusive rights and we made a partial exclusivity agreement. We agreed that we would not sell records in large chains like Wall Mart, but we would still sell through indie stores and so on. They said it was fine as long as it did not exceed our ordinary shares from the sale. In practice this meant that we paid a little extra for Target percentage increased sales in indie stores. But we agreed that we could sell from our website and through iTunes, so they were reasonable with us in relation to where we could sell. But beyond the economic, I believe that image and name of the association have been important incentives for them in cooperation with us. It must have been at least half of motivation on their part.

- It’s okay, because it was a new type of agreement for them, maybe we moved them slightly compared to that agreement need not necessarily be 100 percent exclusive. They paid us well, it worked. I do not know if they will make a deal with us again, that we will see. We are “kind of a pain in ass to work with” (big laugh). It is our nature, we do things as we want them. And you look at Target, they’re so used to that people will stoop in the dust of them and do everything they say to get an agreement. So when we say “we have done enough interviews now that we have finished promoting” and then says “yes, but …”. We say, “now we have done what we needed.” Another reason why we chose to partner with Target is that they have a long history of philanthropic work, they are one of the largest companies in this regard.

Sell relatively more through the website and iTunes than in the past?

- I think it goes up. We have just sent “Just Breathe” out as singles, so it is generating enough extra sales. Generally, we sell approximately the same number as last time and in relation to sales in general have fallen sharply, so it is rather satisfactory (the time of writing is “Backspacer” still in Top 70 on Billboard after 15 weeks of trading, ed.). The key is to write new material, touring and finding new ways to generate income and activities. It is a fun and interesting process to find ways for the audience to keep your band on – artistically and financially. It must be both.

MTV means nothing
After “Ten” I stopped in a number of years to give interviews, and through the years I have been very sparse to produce videos.

- We made one for “The Fixer” by Cameron Crowe has directed! But the thing is that there is no one who checks the videos look the same today. We’ve made a little of each plate, but people are indifferent. Before we said, “that we did not,” and now that we have started again, people are indifferent, as if it’s too late now (who laughs, ed.). We may well find to produce more of the ball street. Compared to promote it makes sense to have a visual medium, and I do not think we are so skeptical today. Previously it was “low one video for MTV ‘dogma that reigned, and it was problematic for us. They had an iron grip on what bands to be promoted and pushed forward. Today, MTV does not matter. When you send a video today, it is primarily the Internet, it is for everyone and it’s fun.

In the eye of the storm
So when “Jeremy” video in his time-ravaged on MTV, it was too much for you?

- It was a time when Ed realized that his life had gone forever because of a decision he had taken six months earlier. It was a very difficult time for him. “I have taken this decision, but what has become of me? I monitored around the clock, people park outside my house all the time, I have to hire security people, wherever I go, people ask me about a or else. ” It was a time when it was very difficult for him to navigate, and because it was difficult for him, it was hard for us all. All the time we campaigned individually with what we wanted out of the situation at that time. As we expected, and so on. It was not a very fun time.

Was I all agree to say “no more interviews, no more videos?”

- No, this was not. We figured that there would be something, but it was Eddie who was in the “hot seat”. We had our struggles, but could not mark it as him. It was easy for us to have a different attitude. We of course went through major changes, but if we delude ourselves into thinking that it was the same degree as Ed, so we made fools of ourselves. It was and is different for him. He has an artistic ability to communicate with the audience, as none of us have. It’s just be honest and admit it. We are not just five guys in exactly the same level. In some ways it is such, for example in relation to our business decisions and in relation to how we treat each other. But relative to sit with an acoustic guitar in front of 50,000 people, he can something which none of us can. It is a different experience.

Life Wasted
Last we talked, I asked you about five favorite Pearl Jam songs, and why. You answered three ( “Nothing Man”, “Black” and “The End”). Are you a fresh two-to?

- “Life Wasted” was one I made for “avocado” plate (Read: “Pearl Jam”, ed.) And I was convinced that it was the largest piece of rock music I had ever written, in relation to the individual parts. I made it, we played it, but it was a little tricky, there was a little too much math in it. I remember that I was incredibly disappointed and thought, “Oh God, how could I ha ‘been such a failure of this song”, it was not so direct, as I thought. At the end of the work on the songs to the plate “said Ed,” Let us take it up again and work on it and see what happens. “I was pretty surprised because I thought already, it was dropped. But we started playing, and Jeff suggested a few things that I would play anything in 4 / 4, and suddenly it all just worked, it drove derudad. It had this cool event, a super-heavy feel, which I thought was good for the plate.

- It showed me once again how important the band is, someone says to you: “Hey, you have something really fat here, relax against it, let it live, experiment, do not make it unnecessarily difficult. ” I think I may have a tendency to play an event, because I do not have to sing it. It may mean that the paper, you come with is too rigid and more complex than necessary. But I love that song and feel that it sums up my songwriting instinct. I am very happy melody, and lyrically it could have been on “Backspacer”; it is positive and represents a more optimistic time for Ed. It is one of my favorites.

Yellow Ledbetter
- A final: I will say “Yellow Ledbetter”. It was a number that Mike McCready wrote around the time when we recorded “Ten”. In the beginning I could not hear so much in it, I thought it was a bit of 1-4-5 (classical chord progression, ed.). I did not think it was the sheet of material. We recorded a version, and you can hear that Ed mutters a little, his text does not specifically thought through. He spends much time getting his texts that he would ha ‘them, but here was an example of that he was not as focused. We started to play the song again a few years later, when people had heard it on the radio and had begun to talk about it. I was quite surprised and thought: “Why?” It was the beginning of Mike’s start as a songwriter in this band. But we started playing it live, and slowly but surely changing the text itself a little bit from day to day. It dawned on me that Ed would never write a definitive text, which I thought was incredibly interesting for a guy who spends so much time to get things, the text is quite right.

- Okay, Ed can sometimes write a text in 20 minutes, but he is always very precise to get the words exactly as he wants them, and here’s this song where he just plays with it and do not care the solid form, but the words keep coming. I never asked him, but can imagine that even today he does not know quite what the song is about, but it is a part of the charm. It is a workflow. I know there is a specific meaning in the text, which is about a coming home from war, a soldier. The song is an example that you may miss something important because of your perspective when there comes something from a member that is not core songwriter in your band. And you know sometimes to do the opposite of what you would normally do, can create something quite special. I think Ed has done by letting the text be reasonably open, and to some extent consciously devoid of meaning, which for him is a very different way to work than usual. I am proud, on behalf of Mike. He has developed this song based on some relatively simple ideas, which has become one of our biggest ever, we play it and the audience goes berserk every time. And the song is somewhat of a mystery to me, I was not expecting it. It only came to the plate with “Lost Dogs” (Rarities plate from ‘03, ed.) But was much played on American radio in its time.

Mutual love
What are you most proud of by Pearl Jam at all?

- Enough that we still have a band and we still love each other and take care of each other, as we have seen one band after another disintegrating. The bearing of our band is that we love each other. We’re not always together when we are not on tour, but we are always in each other’s heads. It is great that it has held for so long and still hold. I think there is a tendency that the artist want to throw it all overboard when things look difficult out. When vision is not shaping up exactly as you intend, but it is something you learn. When you work in a group, you’ll have to find compromises, you do not get your will at all times and that’s okay. It is not the same as saying that you should not rely on your instincts and your art. It’s also about being open to others’ input and on the whole to master a balance to rely on your own ideas while you are open to what others can contribute, and so what I can achieve together.

Finn and Frisell
I’ve always worked with many artists. We have previously talked about Neil Young and Chris Cornell, there are others you would emphasize?

- Recently, we have played with Neil Finn of Crowded House and Split Enz, through concerts in Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. We played both Crowded House and Split Enz song, and it went completely sovereign. Neils Sun Liam was also featured. We met him 15 years ago when he was 11 or something. He was already a “killer” on the drums then and a better guitarist than me, and he was 11! (laughs). He is a champion. But generally, I am always glad to have the ability to perform or record with other artists. Another thing I remember very clearly, is a show we played for about eight years ago in support of the Northwest School, where we had the opportunity to jam with Bill Frisell. We played “Crazy Mary” and the way he played, was so shocking blues, and totally outside the way we normally played number. He spread our sound out just about 10 miles; an amazing guitarist, amazing.

Philanthropist
Many musicians go with years of in other disciplines, for example, many actors. Can you imagine taking such a step?

- One should never say never, because it is not to say what opportunities may arise. If I did, I hope it is because it’s really for me it is a new way to be creative on that matches the person I am and what I stand for. It should not have to twist someone’s arm around and say: “Get me in a movie.” You never know what was going to happen, but I think so not to become an actor.

You have instead used your voice as environmentalist.

- Yes, sometimes. We are going to do something in Seattle soon, related to the amount of CO2 we have released on our trip, but hopefully we can talk about it later.

Yes, we just had here COP 15 in Copenhagen, without much success.

- I think there are many powerful people out there who feel they have no choice but to be involved, they feel they have to make an effort. One thing is that nations may try to agree on the agreements at government level, but there are individual mega-billionaires who really could make a difference by having a vision of how new technology, clean energy and sustainability can make a difference and encourage it to be new international success criteria, which we will work towards to meet and develop. I think the best thing that happens to us now is that there are people out there who are doing some work that we do not know at the moment which will be great. So we must hope that governments will stimulate the development and help to provide facilities for people who want to invest in this sort of thing on a national and international level.

- There are many companies out there who look at their CO2 footprints and thinking of ways on how they can reduce emissions. It can lead to profound changes which are potentially very radically and quickly, could spread beyond the planet. I believe that governments, rules and regulations will be a parameter where I think the second must come from the construction site. There are many out there who know that this will happen and that the future will be integrated technologies that are not obstructing the balance of nature. We live in the wild, and we want the planet to work, clean health, and if we will continue to enjoy luxuries such as eating salmon and build houses, various forms of “playgrounds” and all that we also want to do, create and make us, so we have to do it in a better manner than hitherto. We must see what happens, maybe break it all together

Stone Gossard philanthropic sentiment is not just talk. He has at Christmas 2009 donated $ 150,000 to an organization that supports homeless and socially penetrated in Seattle.

Uplifted by the response at concerts and “Backspacer” Pearl Jam have already been inspired to work on new material. The progress in these days in Seattle.

Pearl Jam Nite 1

Di 21 Februari 2010 nanti, acara PEARL JAM THE IMMORTALITY at Score ciwalk Bandung, sebenarnya sebuah acara yang mengulang sejarah atas apa yang di gagas duo propagandis musik, saya berhasil mengumpulkan biang kerok yang menggagas dan menjalankan event pertama PEARL JAM Nite yang pernah di gelar akbar di Jakarta di tahun 2005. Dua orang ini adalah Joshua Bassist band Grunge Jakarta STIGMATA yang sekarang mejabat sebagai staff promosi majalah Rollingstone Indonesia, dan Eko HC mantan manager CUPUMANIK yang saat ini menjadi videographer untuk sebuah rumah produksi iklan dan film Indie. Saat saya bertanya mengenai peran mereka atau Job Description saat acara Pearl Jam nite ke-1, mereka bilang, mereka saling bertukar peran sebagai Stage Manager dan Art Director panggung.

Duo propagandis ini juga rencana akan mendokumentasi acara besar PEARL JAM THE IMMORTALITY atas proyek raksasa mereka GRUNGE INDONESIA VIDEO DOCUMENTER. Menurut mereka, acara nanti di Bandung akan menjadi bahan liputan penting untuk bahan Dokumenternya, sebagai pertunjukan penting yang di gelar skena musik Grunge tanah Air.

Interview ini adalah sebuah Tanya jawab nostalgia, dan saya mengulang nya kembali bagi kalian, minimal interview ini merupakan cara kita menghargai, atas apa yang pernah mereka bangun demi tumbuh suburnya GRUNGE INDONESIA. Selamat membaca.

Interview oleh Che bisa dibaca langsung di Facebook Notes-nya…

Team webmaster Pearljamonline.it (Italia) menyusun buku “Pearl Jam Evolution”, monograf Pearl Jam. Link.

Almost twenty years after their birth, Pearl Jam is one of the last great rock band remained in circulation. Luca Villa and Daria Moretti, webmasters www.pearljamonline.it, give life to more detailed and updated biography ever published about the band in Seattle.

A journey that, through interviews with the band and in-depth analysis, try to describe their evolution as musicians and people during all these years.

Accompanied by a complete discography, a videography and a list of solo projects, Evolution digs deeply into the history of Pearl Jam for the emergence of a different portrait of the five musicians from Seattle.

• The most detailed biography ever published on Pearl Jam
  
• Analysis of all records and all the songs
  
• Reviews of the best concerts
  
• Collaborations, solo albums and side projects that affected the band
  
• 359 pages Black and White (21×15)

Beli buku tsb di sini.

Buku tersebut disign oleh Eddie Vedder.

Poster (from Fivehorizons.com)

11/05/93 – Empire Polo Fields: Indio, CA
Penonton: 25,000
Band Pembuka: Weapon of Choice, Eleven and American Music Club
Soundcheck: Wash, Alone, Yellow Ledbetter
Set: Release, Go, Animal, Why Go, Deep, Jeremy, Glorified G, Daughter/Improv (It’s Time to Realign Your Body with Your Mind), Alive, Rearviewmirror, Improv (Thank You), Blood, Rats, Once, Porch/(Tearing), Fuck Me in the Brain
Encore: Sonic Reducer, Even Flow, Indifference, Baba O’Riley

Download audio

Konser Pearl Jam yang paling gila.

Tulisan berikut diterjemahkan secara bebas dari blog Mondo Eleven. Eleven jadi salah satu band pembuka Pearl Jam saat itu. Sumber lain: Fivehorizons.com

Ini adalah salah satu konser terbaik Pearl Jam. Bukan hanya karena konsernya sendiri, set list dan kejadian khusus dengan audience. Tapi karena juga band Eleven, yang jadi band pembuka untuk Pearl Jam.

Ulasan Konser

Audience menjadi agresif karena venue konser yang dirubah. Selama soundcheck dan performance band pembuka Eleven, audience mulai melempar sepatu ke panggung dan bahkan salah satu lemparan mengenai bass drum Jack Irons (saat masih di Eleven), di mana Jack menghentikan lagu dan berkata dengan marah jika dia menemukan siapa yang melempar, harus ganti rugi.

Akhirnya PJ naik panggung, dan audience mulai bertingkah lebih gila lagi.

Pada akhir Whygo, Ed berkata,”Kill your local rapist, but torture him first, then serve him to your enemy for dinner.” (”Bunuh pemerkosa lokal kamu, tapi siksa dia dulu, lalu hidangkan kepada musuhmu untuk makan malam.”)

Pada akhir Alive,”Orang pertama yang saya temui hari ini memberikan saya buku ini dan bertanya apakkah saya ingin tahu rahasia hidup selamanya.” Melemparnya ke audience dan berkata,”Siapa yang ingin hidup selamanya?” Ya Tuhan.

Pada saat Porch, Ed minta orang2 untuk berhenti melempar sepatu, dan sampai akhirnya menantang audience untuk meludah ke arahnya. Lalu kemudian sampailah pada yang klasik “Fuck me in the brain”! (lihat video)

Massa yang marah melanjutkan melempar barang ke panggung, sampai Ed berkomentar,”Jeff dan saya akan ke gerbang depan dan ketika kalian keluar, kita akan pukulin setiap orang yang telanjang kaki di sini.” dan “Lempar senapan jadi saya bisa tembak kalian.” Lihat video “Shoe the shoeless” untuk komentar2 Ed yang lain.

Menuju Etihad Stadium

Jumat sore di sebuah kota yang penuh dengan ratusan bangsa berdiri dengan tegap dan wibawa menunggu sebuah konser musik sang legenda Grunge. Yang beberapa waktu lalu merilis album terbaru mereka yaitu ”Backspacer”. Kala itu hujan turun dengan keraguan, hanya terasa cukup untuk membasahi sepatuku yang telah bergegas dari sebuah apartemen dengan penuh energi , dengan wajah yang penuh sinaran karena ini konser yang telah kunantikan seumur hidupku . Sebuah band dari Seattle yang terdiri dari Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament dan Matt Cameron. Band yang hampir dua dasawarsa ini berdiri tegak mengibarkan eksistensi mereka di ranah musik dunia, ya.. band itu bernama Pearl Jam (PJ). Sayapun bergegas untuk datang secepat mungkin agar bisa berada di barisan depan konser itu dan tibalah saya di Southern Cross Station yang letaknya memang berhubungan langsung dengan Etihad Stadium yaitu tempat dimana konser tersebut akan dilangsungkan.

Sekitar pukul 6 sore suara disana sangat hiruk pikuk karena kupikir banyak orang yang pulang dari aktivitas pekerjaan mereka, ya stasiun itu lebih ramai dari biasanya karena kurasa sebagian besar orang memang datang untuk menyaksikan Pearl Jam. Di sepanjang jalan t-shirt yang kukenakan ini tak luput dari pandangan orang-orang yang melintas, ya mungkin karena t-shirt hitam ini bertuliskan “Bring Pearl Jam to Indonesia” dan sebuah lagi ku simpan dalam tas yang memang telah dikirim langsung dari Jakarta oleh kawan-kawan dari Pearl Jam Indonesia (PJID) untuk sebuah misi melempar t-shirt tersebut keatas panggung.

Tak lama kemudian saya tiba tepat didepan Gate 3 Etihad Stadium suasana kala itu sangat sejuk karena sejak siang Melbourne telah diguyur gerimis hujan, lalu saya melihat disekitaran stadion itu terdapat booth official merch PJ yang sedang penuh oleh antrian para fans. Selang beberapa menit saya pun masuk kedalam stadion yang didalamnya dibagi dalam dua area selain tribun, yaitu the fixer (standing VIP) dan backspacer (standing festival).

“Si Bule” , Liam Finn & Ben Harper

Acara pun dimulai dengan band pembuka pertama yaitu “Liam Finn” seorang musisi muda multi talenta kelahiran asli kota Melbourne yang tahun ini juga baru merilis album bertajuk “Champagne Seashell” yang dirilis di U.S dan U.K. Setelah sekitar 1 jam melihat aksi Liam Finn yang mulai memanaskan suasana, kini giliran Ben Harper and Relentless7, seorang musisi folk-rock dan aktivis yang telah menelurkan 12 album serta 2 kali menerima Grammy Award , musisi gaek ini memang sangat terkenal di daratan Australia dan Eropa, karena suaranya yang khas dan permainan “slide guitar” nya yang unik. Ditengah permainannya Ben Harper mengajak Eddie Vedder untuk berduet menyanyikan lagu Under Pressure milik Queen yang tentu saja disertai teriakan histeris para fans fanatik PJ dan diakhiri dengan tepuk tanan yang meriah dari penonton.

Selang setengah jam kemudian akhirnya Ben Harper undur diri, suasana panggung sekejap menjadi gelap dan dipenuhi kru yang sibuk untuk mempersiapkan set panggung untuk PJ , dan sebagian penonton pun sibuk untuk membeli makanan dan minuman di sekitar stadion. Dan saya sendiri pun tengah sibuk mencari kurir pembawa misi pelemparan t-shirt ke atas panggung karena suatu hal saya tak mumpuni untuk berada di the fixer area (area VIP festival-red), dengan perasaan cemas karena jujur saja, saya tak ingin mengecewakan teman-teman PJID untuk membawa PJ ke Indonesia dan rasanya pun jauh lebih menyenangkan apabila menyaksikan PJ di tanah air tercinta. Akhirnya saya pun menemukan seseorang yang saya rasa pantas untuk bertugas sebagai pelempar, seseorang yang berperawakan tinggi-besar dengan dandanan-nya yang mirip dengan eddie vedder selagi muda, lengkap dengan sepatu boots dan celana pendeknya. Butuh beberapa menit untuk saya menjelaskan maksud dan tujuan misi pelemparan kaos tersebut, yaitu “Bring Pearl Jam to Indonesia” dengan muka memelas dan dengan kepala yang tegak mendongak ke atas, karena tubuhnya memang benar-benar tinggi, saya menjelaskan padanya bahwa sejak dua dasawarsa berdirinya PJ, belum sekalipun mereka memijakan kakinya di Indonesia padahal basis fans Pearl Jam di Indonesia sangat besar adanya dan akhirnya dia pun bersedia membantu serta meyakinkan saya bahwa t-shirt tersebut akan sampai diatas panggung. Sambil memeluk saya dan berkata “ Don’t worry mate, I will do this brilliant job! You just have to stay calm on your seat and keep your eyes on me, make sure that I was really did it! Catch you later mate and goodluck for you! Saya pun segera menarik nafas panjang dan sangat percaya diri bahwa hal tersebut akan berhasil.

Bibir membeku

Selesai “meng-kurir-kan” si bule tadi saya pun bergegas kembali ke tempat semula, dan tiba-tiba…. Yeah Elderly woman berkumandang, semua penonton pun berhamburan memasuki area stadion, persis seperti lebah-lebah yang tersesat kembali menuju sarangnya. Seluruh penonton pun kembali histeris, dan lebih histeris lagi dari kehadiran Ed ditengah penampilan Ben Harper sebelumnya, karena kali ini seluruh awak Pearl Jam beraksi beberapa penonton yang sedang membeli jajanan pun terlihat panik saat itu, hingga antrian makanan yang tadinya panjangpun mendadak tak terlihat lagi. Teriakan-teriakan para wanita yang memanggil Ed pun terdengar hebat, saya pikir pun itu wajar karena PJ terakhir kali datang ke Melbourne pada tahun 2006, ya mungkin cukup lama memang, akan tetapi tak selama Fans fanatik PJ di Indonesia yang sudah sangat-sangat lama menunggu mereka, selayaknya seorang anak yang belum pernah melihat ayah kandungnya sendiri , mungkin.

Kemudian tanpa basa basi PJ segera lanjut ke lagu yang menjadi favorit band saya “corduroy”, sebuah lagu yang sangat monumental menurut saya. Dukungan sound system nya benar-benar mantab, selain itu akustik stadion nya yang bersenyawa dengan bebunyian distorsi juga membuat semua penonton seperti terinduksi energi dari PJ, terlebih lagi pada saat “animal” sebuah lagu lawas dari album VS dibawakan, barisan didepan mulai moshing akibat paduan sound gitar Mcgready dan Gossard terasa penuh kala menghajar kuping mereka dikala saya masih tersihir tak bisa berbicara karena akhirnya hari itu saya sungguh menyaksikan PJ langsung tepat didepan mata. Lanjut dengan Cameron sebagai komandan di lagu berikut, speed pattern drumnya sangat saya kenal, lagu itu berjudul “Got Some”. Saya yang tak kuasa untuk ikut berjingkrakan, saat itu harus menahan diri karena memang sejak awal saya merencanakan untuk merekam lagu ini, Stamina Eddie Vedder di lagu ini sangat luar biasa, suaranya pun serasa menggelegar, lantang dan rasanya lebih baik dari versi rekamannya, “u really great ed , totally awesome!”.
Pada saat itu juga seluruh sudut stadion mulai dari bawah hingga tribun paling atas sudah terlihat dipenuhi oleh penonton.

Got Some

Pertunjukan dilanjutkan “Brother” sebagai lagu kelima dan juga sebuah anthem bagi anak-anak PJID yaitu “Among the waves” , sebuah lagu yang menurut mereka sangat inspirasional untuk pribadi mereka masing-masing. Hal tersebut kembali mengingatan saya tentang nasib t-shirt hitam yang tadi saya titipkan kepada “si bule” .

Lalu secara berturut-turut Even Flow, Ocean, Lukin, Greviance, dan tibalah pada salah satu lagu terbaik yang ada di album Backspacer , yaitu “Force of Nature” . Ya sungguh lagu yang dengan kunci-kunci sederhana dan benar-benar nyaman dikuping, nada-nadanya terasa begitu mengalir melengkapi keindahan liriknya yang menceritakan sebuah harapan dan kerinduan. Saya pun masih dalam keadaan tercengang dan tak mau menyanyi karena takut suara ini mengganggu telinga saya pada saat mendengar rintihan suara ed yang menggema.

Nasib si “t-shirt hitam”

Kemudian akhirnya saya memutuskan untuk merekam pertunjukan itu kembali, dan “Present Tense” menjadi sasaran empuk kamera digital, lagu yang dibawakan dengan apik ini disambut dengan nyanyian kecil para penonton disekeliling saya. Saat itu saya masih tetap menanti, kemana si t-shirt itu berada, tak sedikit pun terlihat ujung benangnya melayang. Masih dengan perasaan cemas, kalau-kalau t-shirt itu akhirnya dipakai si Bule, tapi kuingat-ingat lagi nampaknya tak akan mungkin, karena jikalau iya pun, ia takkan pas menggunakannya dengan mengingat postur tubuhnya yang besar. Selagi menghayal tentang si t-shirt PJ langsung tancap gas ke lagu baru “Gonna see my friends” yah kerumunan penonton kembali berjingkrakan, lagu ini memang tipikal lagu upbeat milik PJ , mata saya pun tetap erjaga di antara screen besar dan set panggung yang penuh efek cahaya yang begitu estetis, tak lama kemudian saya lihat si t-shirt hitam itu terbang dengan indahnya diikuti sorot lampu panggung dan kilatan blitz kamera para penonton, dan mendarat dengan selamat, di bibir panggung sebelah kanan, di depan monitor Edd dan tepat diantara kaki milik Tuan Eddie Vedder dan Stone Gossard yang sedang mencapai klimaks lagu dan diiringi simbal Matt Cameron tanda lagu itu telah berakhir …. Done, mission complete!

Present Tense

Given To Fly!

Panggung pun tiba-tiba gelap seketika, karena masing-masing personil PJ harus menukar gear mereka untuk lagu berikutnya. Dengan mata yang terus memandangi t-shirt itu, beberapa kru pun terlihat mengambil “t-shirt keramat” itu dan kembali ke belakang panggung. Saya pun masih dalam suasana kembang kempis, harap-harap cemas, akan tapi bisa benar-benar bernafas lega, karena misi dari Jakarta telah selesai dilaksanakan. Dengan penuh doa dan memancarkan energi positif ke alam semesta, lagi-lagi saya dikejutkan dengan sebuah lagu yang sangat saya idam-idamkan untuk saya saksikan sendiri, lagu yang membuat saya benar-benar jatuh cinta dengan PJ sebuah maha karya Mike McCready, oh my God, its “Given to Fly” , ini adalah giliran Mike yang bertugas sebagai jendral, petikan gitarnya pun mengawali lagu itu, saya masih tak sanggup untuk menyanyi, hanya dibuat membeku karna tersihir oleh pesona lagu itu. Ini benar-benar Pearl Jam, bukan band saya atau band teman-teman saya yang sering membawakan lagu ini, dan nyata adanya bukan lagi mimpi belaka.

Tepat satu setengah jam konser itu, tibalah saatnya… alooone listless, breakfast table in an otherwise..empty room,..ya anda benar inilah “Daughter” nomor jagoan ini lah yang membuat semua penonton yang bergemuruh didalam stadion sing a long tak kulihat ada satu penonton pun yang tak bersenandung, disertai yell-yell histeris para wanita. Saya rasa memang saat itulah PJ membuat penonton mencapai klimaks, karna setelahnya “Glorified G” lalu single terbaru mereka “The Fixer”, sebuah lagu apik yang musiknya digagas oleh Matt Cameron dan sebelom encore pertama, “Do the Evolution menjadi penutup.

Do The Evolution

Jersey Football

Break sekitar 10 menit, panggung kembali gelap, set dirapihkan untuk lagu berikutnya, riuh penonton yang berteriak bertepuk tangan serta membuat gelombang ombak dari ujung stadion, persis seperti kala saya menonton bola di Senayan dan tak lama kemudian edd muncul sendirian, sambil memegang botol wine dia menunjukan sebuah kaus jersey football bertuliskan namanya yang diberikan seorang fans fanatiknys beberapa tahun laluDengan gitar Fender Telecaster-nya ia segera menyanyikan “The needle and the damage done” sebuah lagu milik Neil Young dan dilanjut dengan “Just breathe”.

Akhirnya kini giliran Ben Harper diajak duet oleh Edd untuk menyanyikan “Red Mosquito” , Ini adalah saatnya Jeff Ament , dengan bass 12 senarnya Ia menguasai panggung di lagu “Jeremy” dan disambut oleh seluruh jajaran band ke lagu , “Why go”, dan “ Porch” sebelum akhirnya memasuki encore kedua.

Sudah 2 jam lebih tapi nampaknya tak sedikitpun PJ terlihat lelah, terlebih lagi sang vokalis yang sejak awal naik turun memainkan emosi penonton, Ia nyaris tak terlihat ‘kendor’ sedikitpun.

Eddie dan sebotol wine yang romantis

Konser pun berlanjut Ed pun muncul lagi dengan menggenggam sebotol wine ia seraya bercanda dan berkata. ‘rasanya wine Melbourne lebih baik daripada wine Adelaide.. dan semua penonton pun tertawa. Ia segera mendaulat Liam Finn keatas panggung untuk berduet dengannya membawakan sebuah lagu yang romantis, dan sama sekali belum pernah saya dengar, akan tetapi semua orang menyanyi bersama. Saat itu saya merasa menjadi orang paling ‘cupu’ sedunia, lagu itu berjudul “Throw your arms around me” sebuah cover lagu milik band lawas Australia (Hunter and Collector). Kini giliran saya dibuat merinding untuk kesekian kalinya, lagu yang sangat dramatis dan serasa menyiratkan kepedihan, sekejap saya menjadi emosional karena mengingatkan saya terhadap teman-teman di Indonesia yang menunggu konser PJ.

“Spin the black circle” kembali menaikan emosi penonton yang sejak tadi terus bernyanyi dan berjingkrakan tanpa henti. Kemudian suasana seluruh stadion ini akhirnya pun mencapai klimaks saat “ALIVE” berkumandang, layaknya mercusuar yang memberi sinar kehidupan pada perahu-perahu yang telah kehilangan layarnya, memberikan kembali ‘nyawa’ untuk kembali bangkit mengarungi lautan bebas. Ramainya penonton yang bernyanyi nyaris mengalahkan suara Ed dan Ia pun tak kuasa menahan betapa penonton begitu antusiasnya bernyanyi, terasa memberikan kesempatan pada mereka. Dilanjutkan dengan lagu Baba O’riley milih The who, saat itu saya merasa bahwa konser ini akan segera berakhir, karna konser telah memasuki 3 jam penuh dan suasana stadion dibuat terang benderang sebagai tanda interaksi antara PJ dan para penonton .Ed masuk membawa dua rebana yang ia pukul-pukul mengikuti beat lagu, ia berjalan kesekelililng panggung lalu melempar rebana itu kearah penonton, Ia pun segera turun menghampiri penonton yang telah dipagari dan beberapa krunya terlihat membantu membagikan rebana.

Saya yang tak mau konser ini berakhir, terpaksa harus menerima lagu Yellow Led Better sebagai tanda perpisahan dari Pearl Jam, dengan menikmatinya detik demi detik, nada demi nada saya pun terasa hanyut kedalamnya, dan itulah ujung konser yang megah dan wibawa. Selesai lagu itu, PJ tak lantas undur diri, mereka tetap berada diatas panggung membagikan puluhan bola football yang dilemparkan ke seluruh sudut penonton. Dan akhirnya mereka harus pamit dari Etihad Stadium dengan menundukan badan tanda terimakasih pada penonton.

Sebuah Impian

Saya pun akhirnya beranjak keluar stadion yang penuh sesak namun tetap tertib, karena diasumsikan para penonton dialam stadion ini berjumlah 55.000 lebih, sungguh angka yang fantastis.

Ini benar-benar pengalaman yang luar biasa, menyaksikan teladan saya beraksi diatas panggung mungkin bukan hanya impian saya, tetapi impian teman-teman diseluruh Indonesia yang telah menantikan Pearl Jam, yang telah merencanakan misi untuk membajak mereka ditengah tur Australia 2009. Mungkin ini nanti bukan hanya sekedar mimpi, karena PEARL JAM PASTI KAN DATANG KE INDONESIA, PASTI TANPA KERAGUAN SEDIKITPUN, sekecil apapun usaha yang kita lakukan pasti akan membuahkan hasil, apalagi melakukan hal besar?

Sungguh dan yakin tulisan ini bukan untuk pamer, bukan semata-mata eksistensi, hanya ingin berbagi pengalaman luar biasa ini kepada teman-teman disana. Semoga T-shirt hitam mahakarya Iroel dan Egha itu membuahkan hasil, semoga hasil usaha para aktivis PJID akan menimba emas. Semoga impianku, dia, kamu dan kita semua akan menjadi kenyataan.

Marilah kita galang kekuatan, “BRING PEARL JAM TO INDONESIA!”

Melbourne, 23 November 2009
Pheps Respito
tenclub_indonesia@yahoogroups.com
pearljamindonesia.com

Please support Bring Pearl Jam To Indonesia! causes on Facebook.

Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, which could accommodate 56 thousand people, roaring with Gonna See My Friend when a black T-shirt rolled freely from the front row of spectators. The T-shirt was eventually fell on the lip of the stage, right between the legs of two most hunted men in Indonesia today, Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard. T-shirts were printed in a line of prayer that have been uttered a dozen years: “Bring Pearl Jam to Indonesia!”

After traveling as far as 5200 km from Jakarta, eventually the black T-shirts came to the end of the road, meets its destiny.

So full of twists the road taken. Beginning in the form of an idea in PJ-Id, T-shirts were transformed through Egha, after previously crystallized in Iroel hand strokes. It was then flown to Melbourne through Nitto’s freight-forwarder aide, landed in the hands of Pheps who was waiting for a historic moment in his life, and ends at the toss of a big caucasian guy that Reza ask the favor to in Bugs.

Time will tell, if the black T-shirts will it be a sweet spot in history, or as an attempt in vain …

3-hour duration of the concert opens with Eldery Woman. It was a sweet greeting, since it’s been 3 years Pearl Jam last played in Melbourne.

That’s Eddie. Living rock legend is to understand the emotional audience. Such an iconic figure, but it was very close to our heart, because it seems he’s always able to read what we feel.

Oh, when yes, I could shout the same message to them. I just want to scream, HELLLOOO!

I believe that night Pheps is flying in joy when Given to Fly was played, as well as our dreams of flying thousands of miles away to the Etihad Stadium, in the form of a black T-shirts.

He must also feel so alive, when along with tens of thousands of others jamily screaming Alive in front of the real Pearl Jam!

But little, tucked in his heart, perhaps as pangs of sadness of the pain in Black reminded him, that to this day, almost twenty years after the Pearl Jam exploded and became a worldwide phenomenon, have yet to visited Indonesia.

Professor Yohanes Surya, Ph.D, currently known as the founding father of Indonesian physics, explained the concept of “Mestakung” in a book: “When we have such a great desire, trying his best to achieve that desire, and always nurture a desire to discuss it in many parties, then the universe will make it happen for us. The Universe supports. Semesta mendukung. Mestakung. ”

Hilman and Reza had never imagined that the mailing lists they started separately will unite and grow in the future. Nothing in their minds that this pack will roll and drag thousands of people into it. They spill their deepest desires only to find friends with same faith. The pack of Lost Dogs.

We never expected that the mass media would be so kind to PJ-Id and exposed them to a broader audience. Tabloid, newspaper, radio, websites, to television.

We also certainly never thought that one day we will get an opportunity to convey the message “Bring Pearl Jam to Indonesia!”, directly to the party involved first-hand.

All flows as if it was a series of coincidence. Because the universe allows us. Because the universe supports.

So, keep moving friends, because the T-shirts’ dream, however ridiculous, maybe one day actually comes true.

Pearl Jam Indonesia (PJ-ID) berpartisipasi dalam acara Indonesia Consumunity Expo ‘09

Tempat : Parkir Timur Senayan, Jakarta (Booth #11, Zona Musik)
Hari/Tanggal : Sabtu-Minggu/21-22 Nov 09
Jam : 9.00-21.00

• Pameran koleksi barang PJ
  kaset, CD, piringan hitam, DVDs, T-shirt, buku, majalah, poster, dan koleksi barang PJ lainnya. Tayangan DVD PJ.
• Penampilan band tribute PJ
  Bitter Tone : Mini Stage (Zona Musik); Sabtu, 21 Nov 09; jam 16.00
  Perfect Ten/Sonic Wood : Main Stage; Minggu, 22 Nov 09; jam 16.00
• Turnamen Futsal antar komunitas
  Pertandingan babak penyisihan PJ-ID Vs. Jak Online: kick-off Sabtu, 21 Nov 09; jam 10.30
• Rally tandatangan petisi “Bring Pearl Jam To Indonesia.”
• Dan lain-lain yang berhubungan dengan Pearl Jam…

Got some if you need it. Fight to get it back again! Yeah 4x.

——-

Pearl Jam Indonesia (PJ-ID) will be participating in the Indonesia Consumunity Expo 09 (Booth #11, Music Zone)

Place : Parkir Timur Senayan, Jakarta
Day/Date : Sat-Sun/Nov 21-22, 09
Time : 9.00AM-9.00PM

• Pearl Jam goods exhibition
  cassettes, CDs, vinyls, books, magazines, posters, and other Pearl Jam goods. Pearl Jam DVD cast.
• Tribute band performance
  Bitter Tone : Mini Stage (Music Zone); Sat, Nov 21, 09; 4.00 PM
  Perfect Ten/Sonic Wood : Main Stage; Sun, Nov 22, 09; 4.00 PM
• Inter-Community Futsal Tournament
  Preliminary round PJ-ID Vs. Jak Online: kick-off Sat, Nov 21, 09; 10.30 AM
• “Bring Pearl Jam To Indonesia” Petition signature rally
• And other PJ-related things…

Got some if you need it. Fight to get it back again! Yeah 4x.

Verse chorus Verse adalah kolom Senior Music Editor Blogcritics.org Josh Hathaway.
Mari kita ikuti Josh membedah misteri dalam iPod-nya, yaitu lagu “Other Side”, B-Side dari “Save You”, dan masuk dalam kompilasi “Lost Dogs”.

(dari http://blogcritics.org/music/article/verse-chorus-verse-pearl-jam-other/)

Verse Chorus Verse: Pearl Jam “Other Side”
I woke up this morning with a nagging headache and a healthy dose of apathy.  Through these wispy gray clouds, I somehow found myself feeling grateful.  I’m a strange mix of people.  I’ve always been a bit of a glass half-empty sort, and I sometimes wonder if that’s because I’ve always had the luxury of an undercurrent of blessings.  It’s not that I’ve never experienced sorrow or pain, but you don’t have to pull back very far to realize how easy I’ve had it.  I have a lot to be thankful for, yet I have to remind myself of that.

I’m grateful I reminded myself to be grateful this morning, because I got a reminder of how much I have to be thankful for this afternoon when news spread that the husband of a member of our group, who also worked in this group prior to my hiring in, passed away after a grueling battle with a rare cancer.  He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years and three children.

Through the course of his diagnosis and treatment, his wife maintained a blog to keep friends, family, and co-workers informed of his battle.  Some days were filled with hopeful stories of progress, others with tales of setbacks.  Lately the updates had been more the latter, and filled with descriptions of suffering I can’t imagine.  I’ve heard people use the metaphor that “the cure is worse than the disease.”  From a still safe distance, I got a closer look at the truth in those words than ever before.  Through it all, they remained more positive than I could imagine possible even if the circumstances were far less severe.

I find myself shaking my head, words failing me.  I wouldn’t know where to begin forming them.  I feel like I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.  There’s the obvious sorrow and sympathy, but I feel strangely out-of-touch.  I know his wife well enough to say hello to her in the hall.  I saw M a couple of times but don’t know that I ever actually spoke to him.  My mind has been trying to arrange colors of thought swirling inside.  It feels foreign and almost forbidden to say I’m grateful that M’s struggle has come to an end when that end came at the expense of his life.  It feels hollow and a little selfish to take perspective from someone else’s tragedy.

In processing all of this, I found myself doing my best not to try and put myself in the shoes of M’s wife.  I don’t know if I could begin to imagine even if I wanted to try, yet I can’t stop thinking about her.  As my thoughts wandered, I was reminded of “Other Side” by Pearl Jam.  I don’t think any song could contain the full range of emotions at a time like this, but Jeff Ament created an elegant sketch that gives shape to the overwhelming flood.

I keep putting words on the page, searching, and I realize I’m not going to solve the riddles in my mind anytime soon, so we end as we begin.  My prayers and thoughts are with M’s wife and kids, extended family, and close friends.

Sebagai referensi, berikut lirik lagu “Other Side”

it’s not the same without you up here
can’t find my wheels
your absence is what breeds this fear
warm breath and all it steals
you can’t know how it feels to be in here
all the dark horse fields, befriendin’ me
playin’ ain’t the same without you here
we’ve come to hate the golden rule
cannot seem to make the dots connect
the morning light don’t show you near
you can’t know what it’s like to bleed from here
the blackened world goes white, it goes nowhere
oooh hoo..
death ain’t the same without you, dear
i make the others run and hide
new york streets seem to make it worse
all this noise inside the quiet
i can’t hold on, the weight you bear
my body’s broken fast, please lift me up
you can’t know what it’s like to be inside
your fading melodies can’t beat my need
i’m not the same without you here
how can i quit to be there
sit and stare
stare..
begging for a prayer

iTunes baru saja mengeluarkan feature barunya yaitu “The World of” dan salah satu yang dikupas habis adalah Pearl Jam. Dalam “The World of Pearl Jam” (”Dunia Pearl Jam”), segala aspek Pearl Jam (terutama aspek musikal) ditelusuri dan ‘dipaket’ oleh iTunes untuk dibeli dan diunduh secara online.

• iTunes Essentials: Track2 Pearl Jam di iTunes yang esensial menurut redaksi iTunes (sudah agak lama di iTunes)
• Roots & Influences: Akar musik dan artis2 yang berpengaruh pada Pearl Jam
• Similar Sounds: Artis2 lain dengan sound yang mirip dengan Pearl Jam
• Legacy: Artis2 yang mewarisi pengaruh dan ‘warisan’ dari Pearl Jam
• Originals: Pearl Jam bukan hanya ‘menemukan’ sound mereka saja, mereka juga membantu artis lain ‘menemukan kembali’ sound mereka.
• Outside Projects: Band2 side project anggota Pearl Jam.
• Videos: Video2 yang pernah dibuat oleh Pearl Jam
• More Essential Listening: Album2 yang esensial dalam “Dunia Pearl Jam”

Fans Pearl Jam tentu sangat diuntungkan dengan feature iTunes baru ini karena mereka mendapatkan pengetahuan yang lebih dalam tentang band favorit kita, dan yang pasti jadi “one stop shopping” bagi mereka yang senang berburu musik apa-saja-asal-Pearl-Jam

Troubled souls unite. We got ourselves tonight.

Ayo jiwa2 bermasalah. Hanya KITA yang KITA punya malam ini.

Tempat: Skipper Sport Cafe, Mid Point II, Senayan
Hari/Tanggal: Jumat/13 Nov 09
Jam: 18.00 – The End
Agenda:
- Nonton bareng double-bill video Pearl Jam (Single Video Theory dan Unplugged Ten Reissue Version atau Immagine In Cornice, you decide)
- Ngobrol2, konsolidasi PJ-Id dan sosialisasi ICE (Indonesia Consumunity Expo) 2009, yang akan jadi ajang yang cool.

I am fuel, you are friends. We got the means to make amends.
I’m lost, I’m no guide. But I’m by your side. I am right by your side.

Saya bahan bakar, kamu adalah teman2. KITA punya yang dibutuhkan untuk membuat perubahan
Saya tersesat, saya bukanlah panduan. Tapi saya ada di sisimu. Saya tepat di sisimu.

Lupakan saya, lupakan kamu, yang ada KITA. Pearl Jam Indonesia.