Cover Story 07

COVER STORY 07 late teens and his parents had divorced that Red Hot Chili Peppers Eddie Vedder, main interviews and the movies’’ — Vedder wrote he was told that, no, he wasn’t. More than drummer Jack Irons, had picture, in London, and the Golden Globe-winning acoustic sound- that, his real father had since died. ‘‘I felt given him a demo tape by Pearl Jam’s new track for 2008’s Into the Wild — ‘‘you have to alone,’’ Vedder has said. ‘‘Except for mu- a band in Seattle that was Backspacer album see the human being behind all that.’’ He sic.’’ This was the early 80s. looking for a singer. pauses and sighs. ‘‘There’s no other way After trying and failing to support himself Vedder recorded the with this stuff than from the inside.’’ through high school in San Diego he joined vocals, mailed the songs The Jamily tree, then, has many branches. his mother and brothers in Chicago and back and was duly invited outrage at the latter’s But for Pearl Jam fans Vedder is the star at worked as a waiter while he finished school to join the band. That first surcharges, and arguably the top. He waxes rapturously about the way there. In 1984 he and his then musician Pearl Jam album, Ten, harming its career in the many of the band’s followers have embraced girlfriend Beth Liebling moved back to San went on to sell more than process. The members the band’s causes as their own: lobbying for Diego, where he recorded demo tapes at 12 million copies, making have their causes and, corporate responsibility, voting for (Demo- home, vented his angst in a variety of bands, it one of the highest sell- says Vedder, their bound- cratic) change, doing grassroots activism for moonlighted as a security guard and petrol- ing rock albums. aries: ‘‘I don’t know how peace, equality and love. Singing along all pump attendant and went surfing. A lot. Ten was reissued earlier this year in a someone like Bono deals with it. He’s built a the while. Surfing is an essential part of Vedder’s package on which the group remixed the little differently. You just have to step back a ‘‘Yeah, it’s incredible, isn’t it?’’ says make-up, as much a means of relaxation and original tracks with regular collaborator little sometimes.’’ Vedder, looking pleased. ‘‘I like to think that escape as a sneaky way to still get his Brendan O’Brien, who also produced the Vedder has had mentors, luckily, un- because they know all the words, all the adrenalin fix. He likes it that the ocean comparatively up-beat Backspacer. official ones such as Johnny Ramone, Bruce content, that they’re absorbing their mean- demands a high level of respect regardless of This time Pearl Jam knows how to handle Springsteen, Pete Townshend and Young, ing. So even though it’s loud and the vocals who you are. That when you’re riding the big the hype. Back then its surge in success weighing in from left-field rock’s hall of are mixed in with drums and guitars and waves — be it at Yallingup in Western nearly drove the band — and Vedder in fame. Even old roue Ronnie Wood (whose things, anyone who doesn’t know the songs Australia or King Island off Tasmania, both of particular — crazy. Everyone wanted a bit of new solo album has a track featuring Vedder will still feel their impact.’’ which he has done — you can only think of him. In 1992, fearing that with any more on vocals) has played his part in keeping him While Pearl Jam played 26 such songs in how to catch that wave and stay on it. popularity the band’s ‘‘heads would pop like grounded. It amazes Vedder that he mixes last night’s21/2 hour show, there were many Friends with famed surfers Laird Hamil- grapes’’, he took to wearing army helmets with the musicians he idolised 20 years ago they had to leave out. ‘‘It’s a good problem if ton and Australia’s Mark Richards, Vedder for a while. It had all got too much. and even more that they seem to respect you don’t have time to play all the songs that speaks of them in the sort of awed, slightly ‘‘I don’t hate success but I never wanted him back. are favourites. We always vary the combin- goofy tones that a Jamily member may speak to be the spokesperson for my generation,’’ Springsteen has given him tips on per- ation.’’ Vedder flashes a grin. ‘‘Most people of him. His notebook has a Richards surf he once said. ‘‘So I just kind of sat it out for a forming. Grumpy old Young turns out to be are coming to more than one show, any- shop logo on its cover. When there isn’t while and waited to see if it would pass.’’ so avuncular, the band calls him Uncle Neil. way,’’ he says. ‘‘After three shows you’ve much swell, he thinks of lyrics. Pearl Jam took its fame and subverted it. It ‘‘So in this way you’re learning more usually got all of it.’’ It was while out surfing in San Diego in refused to release videos or singles from its about music and the fourth dimension of it 1990 that Vedder came up with the words for second album, 1993’s Vs, and has endeav- all,’’ says Vedder brightly. Fourth dimen- Backspacer is released September 18. three of Pearl Jam’s early hits: Once, oured to call the shots since. For a few years sion? ‘‘Outside of all this.’’ He sweeps a Pearl Jam’s Australian tour opens in Perth Footsteps and Alive (about a youth who is lied it even took on corporate ticket vendor flannelled arm around the room. ‘‘Past the on November 14, with concerts in Adelaide, to about his paternity). His friend, former Ticketmaster, boycotting relevant venues in records, past the live shows, past the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to follow..

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