Pearl Jam drives off concert fans with Bush bashing April 2, 2003 Incensed fans walked out of Pearl Jam's concert Tuesday after lead singer Eddie Vedder impaled a mask of President Bush on a microphone stand, then slammed it to the stage. Most of Vedder's antiwar remarks earlier in the Pepsi Center show were greeted with mixed cheers and scattered boos. But dozens of angry fans walked out during the encore because of the macabre display with the Bush mask, which he wore for the song "Bushleaguer," a Bush-taunting song from the band's latest album, Riot Act. "When he was sharing his political views in a fairly benign manner supporting our troops, opposing policy that's OK," said Keith Zimmerman, of Denver. "When he takes what looks like the head of George Bush on a stick then throws it to the stage and stomps on it, that's just unacceptable. I love Pearl Jam, but that was just way over the edge. We literally got up and left." Others joined Zimmerman, some complaining about the lyrics of the song, which in part call Bush "a confidence man" and say, "He's not a leader / he's a Texas leaguer." "I wasn't sure if it was really happening," said Kim Mueller. "We looked at each other and realized he really did have George Bush's head on a stick and was waving it in the air, then slammed it to the ground and stepped on it." "It was like he decapitated someone in a primal ritual and stuck their head on a stick," Zimmerman said. "It kinda blows away the Dixie Chicks." The Dixie Chicks were the target of boycotts and bannings after making an anti-Bush statement on a London stage in March. Vedder has used the Bush mask in previous shows in Australia and Japan, but Denver's U.S. tour opener was the first show since war broke out in Iraq. Pearl Jam manager Kelly Curtis couldn't be reached for comment. The band played Oklahoma City Wednesday. During the show, Vedder told the crowd about a Vietnam veteran who expressed severe reservations about war in Iraq to Vedder. The singer was incensed when someone in the crowd yelled, "Shut up!" "Did someone just say, 'Shut up'? I don't know if you heard about this thing called freedom of speech, man. It's worth thinking about it, because it's going away," Vedder said. "In the last year of being able to use it, we're sure as (expletive) going to use it and I'm not gonna apologize." Later in the show, he added to that. "Just to clarify . . . we support the troops," Vedder said to cheers. "Our problem is certainly not with anybody over there doing something that not too many of us would do right now, not for these reasons. "So to the families and those people who know those folks and are related to those folks and are married to those folks, we send our support. We're just confused on how wanting to bring them back safely all of a sudden becomes nonsupport. We love them, we support them. They're not the ones who make the foreign policy. . . . Let's hope for the best and speak our opinions." ---
I'm more offended by the apparent slam of the Texas League in the song. The Texas League is a fine baseball organization that includes several member teams that contribute a great deal to their communities (including, starting this year, my own neighborhood in Collin County). I'd have walked out over that.
Another entertainer decides to speak his mind. I hope he does not mind when people speak with their checkbooks. DD
At least the Dixie Chicks had the balls to risk their career. PJ had nothing to lose they only had one record worth a damn, and no one in that band has done a damn thing noteworthy or had a career since Temple of the Dog in 1991.
Great...Another idiot... Again, let me explain how it is ok to speak your mind, but to act like a total baby and stomp on Bush...total symbolism that I can't agree with... I won't be supporting them and I can't wait to this starts to get out... What the hell is this crap about the last year to have freedom of speech...He's been smoking the peace pipe way too much...
*sigh* The problem with Pearl Jam is that they hit their peak with their debut album in "Ten". "Vs." was okay but was nowhere near as brilliant as "Ten". Granted, they have been able to hold on compared to other similar type grunge bands that started around the same time as them in Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins (yes SP was a grungy psychadelic band in the beginning); however, releasing all these live albums like they did and continuing to churn out mediocre albums has not helped them regain their glory. So, what is a celebrity to do when business is going bad for them?? Say something or do something controversial, especially if it has political ramifications! I know RM95 will vehemently disagree with me on this, but when will these celebrities learn to keep their mouths shut on these lightning rod issues?? Let the political "experts" and "analysts" handle that crap because after all that is what they are paid for to do. Ed Vedder is paid to sing and perform music not give us his warped view of how he would destroy Dubya if he got his hands on him. Yea, yea, yea, the first Amendment lets him act like a jackass, but I get so sick and tired of that being used as the excuse for outrageous behavior. I don't even need a freaking Amendment to stop buying Pearl Jam music, and I am glad for that. So, Ed continue to parade around in your Presidents' masks and then smash them to bits; you will be the only to see those performances before too long.
"Ladies and Gentlemen...presenting the Anti-Bush World Tour 2003. Starring Pearl Jam, with the Dixie Chicks as opening act. Concert emcee: Michael Moore Tickets available at Ticketmaster." I wonder if Eddie Vedder has the cajones to try this at Pearl Jam's upcoming Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion show??
That was my point, they have sucked since then. I went to the bar/club where Temple of the Dog first got together. I think it has since closed, but it was the place all these bands would get together and play named Rock Candy. Some of the other people who have gotten together there were The Beastie Boys & Niel Young, many number of people with Cris Cornell, Rage Against the Machine played there with a number of popular local musicians. Any way, PJ was not even close to being the most popular band amongst the locals in Seattle. How about the overdoses, suicides, heavy drug usage littered in all of those bands, and they STILL out sell and perform PJ (even a band who had a dead lead singer). They had an excellent album but are the most overhypedone hit (RECORD) wonder I can remember in a long time if not ever.
You remember in that other thread where you said you don't always post because people in the thread have stated your opinion except more eloquently? After reading this I am kinda feeling the same way... Well said.
Power to them. I have no problem with this. They have every right to say what they want. Big deal if 20 or so people walked out. I'm sure the othe 15,000 people enjoyed the rest of the show. Besides, it's not like Pearl Jam is new to social commentary or anything. Do you think these guys care if they sell as many records as they did in the 90s? That's what's so great about them, the don't play by the rules that corporations like Clear Channel try to impose on musicians. If they cared about popularity they never would have taken on a losing battle against TicketMaster all those years ago. These guys just want tomake music that they like. If they were so concerned about being popular or selling records to people who only listen to top 40 music, they would have released singles and videos throughout their career. Also, I applaud their decision to release all of their shows on CD. They 1-upped the bootleggers with that move. Pretty smooth, I say. I also appreciate the fact that they make music that they want to make and not what fair-weather fans THINK they should make. Go listen to Creed or something. They've done a good job of making money off of a sound that bands like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains were making 10 years ago.
So it is ok for them to criticize the President but not ok for us to criticize their crappy music. They have every right to say what they want, that is the first amendment, and there are many people out there that would waste good money to hear them. But those rights also extends to those that disagree with them. We have every right to say what we think also. And frankly I think their latest musical offerings have stunk regardless of whether they enjoyed making it or not. ANd just in case you didn't know ther eare many at the BBS(me included) that think Creed sucks just as hard.
That's strictly your opinion. There are plenty who would laugh at this statement. You have every right to state your opinions, though. Just don't act as if your opnion is fact. This statement makes no sense. Things definetly are not going bad for Michael Moore and the Dixie Chicks. Pearl Jam are not the type of band that bases success on how many CDs they sell. They simply make music. That's it. They are not interested in making the same music over and over. Vedders' stage antics and/or comments are nothing new. If you had paid much attention to them after 1992 you may have been aware of this. Why should they? You either agreee or you don't. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean that they should "shut up". Your kidding me, right? What makes the opinion of political experts and analysts more important then any other AMERICAN? Just as this BBS is my forum to express my opinions, the stage is the forum for musicians to express their opinions. It's no different than Prince preaching God to me when I go see him. And by the way, Eddie Vedder is not paid to sing and performed. They all get paid as a result of the music that they create. After all of the money they have made for Sony, they pretty much can do what they want. Just like in the movie biz, make a commericial hit and then you can go create art. One more thing, I'm doubting that Eddie was displaying "how he would destroy Dubya if he got his hands on him". It's a symbolic gesture, not a literal one.
Some of you guys are acting like this is something new. Man, Pearl Jam has been on Bush's case and against war far longer than the celebs you love to hate. Probably even before the election. That song about Bush is a few months old already. These guys aren't the Dixie Chicks, they sure as hell won't mind if their sales take a hit. All they care about is playing live. Also, the majority of people who listen to Pearl Jam, probably aren't the type to boycott something because an artist has a different opinion from them.
There is a difference between opinioin and fact. You say all of their new music is crap. That is an opinion. You may feel like it is fact since it is YOUR opinion. On the other hand, I continue to like the music that they put out. But I realize that that is MY opinion. But I'm not trying to sell it as fact. I'm relieved that you think Creed is crap. It's good to know that we share an opinion.
I was not trying to portray that as fact. I really used to love PJ when they put out their 1st to LP's but their later stuff has not really lived up to my expectations for them. The only fact there, is that I don't like their new stuff. You also might be surprised to know that Manny has got to be the biggest Creed hater in the Universe
