Welcome to the                                 PEARL JAM RUMOR PIT                              Issue #39 - October 29, 1999 BOO!!! Now that everyone has packed up their Halloween costumes and left for the October 30-31 Bridge School Benefit shows, here we are again with the latest Pearl Jam news. This newsletter was created as a direct link to the fans. If you would like to ask a question about Pearl Jam, the Vitalogy Health Club asks that you please direct your questions to OfTheSea@aol.com or DigitalKat@aol.com. Ready? Grab your candy corn and let's get into the Pit!  BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you haven't yet heard the details about Pearl Jam's appearance at the 13th annual Bridge School Benefit this weekend, they'll be appearing with Neil Young, The Who, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, Billy Corgan and James Iha, Lucinda Williams, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits and special guests. This year there will be a first-time ever webcast of the Bridge shows made possible by the Intel Corp. done in collaboration with Yahoo and the Bridge School. Intel has generously made a $2.5 million contribution to the Bridge School and if you are also interested in helping the children by donating, you'll be able to do so securely over the Internet. Viewing the Webcast: For each new member who signs up for the Intel WebOutfitter Service at www.intel.com, Intel will make an additional donation to The Bridge School. For more show information, visit Yahoo at music.yahoo.com and to download the Windows Media Player or Real Player, visit www.bridgeschool.org. One more thing: Is there a possibility of Pearl Jam playing some new music during their set? Sure! N.P.J.A.A. ~~~~~~~~~ Now, on to new Pearl Jam album doings. We're here to share what's going on with the band and to mention a phenomenon known as NPJAA (New Pearl Jam Album Anxiety). Over the years, we've observed and also experienced it striking its victims in between albums or tours. As we all wait and watch the scramble for news on an upcoming release, there are some who find themselves falling victim to rumors of false release dates and tracklists. In the final stages, the hysteria intensifies and its victims first demand weekly updates on progress in the studio, then hourly and finally minute to minute reports. Some find relief using an intense regimen of listening to Pearl Jam's music while others only show signs of recovery when they physically have the new album in their hands. That's the only known antidote. We've tried our best though and in an effort to ease the anxiety of anyone afflicted with this hysteria, here's the latest word on what's up with the band and the new album. The guys are on a break for now but will return to the studio some time in November to finish the new album...it's half done. It'll be all new material, no covers, and current rumors on the release date are just rumors. It's not expected to be out in December, January or February. It doesn't yet have a title and a double album isn't planned. In case you've been off doing the time warp thing, Matt Cameron is playing drums on it and Tchad Blake is producing. Yes, Matt has contributed to the song writing process and the band loves Tchad. This happy creative atmosphere has to mean great things to come! They want to keep some details a mystery for now but we hear there are lots of fun things planned and we love surprises. Other Appearances: Ed with C Average will be opening for The Who to benefit the Maryville Academy at the House of Blues in Chicago on November 12th and 13th. Other Music: The track entitled "The Croon Song" that Ed did with Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth for Tim Robbins' movie, "The Cradle Will Rock," will be on the soundtrack but not in the movie. LOOKING FOR PJ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There seems to be a lot of show rumors floating around lately and you may find yourself looking for Pearl Jam where they won't be. They are not playing the Rock and Rio Festival, or "a show in NYC some time soon," or the Falls Music Festival on New Years Eve. They're not playing anywhere on New Year's Eve. Sorry, no tour dates yet. They'll concentrate on the album first. RUMORS, RUMOURS, RUMORS... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PEARL Rumor: Matt Cameron is no longer in the studio with them. They're now stranded and without a drummer.    JAM Fact: False. PEARL Rumor: C Average is Ed Vedder's Who cover-band.    JAM Fact: False. C Average is a separate band and friends of Ed's. PEARL Rumor: It has been reported that Pearl Jam wanted and even 'requested' to play at The Big Day Out Festival Tour in Jan/Feb 2000.      JAM Fact: No. PEARL Rumor: Stone is thinking of leaving the band because the other members won't comply with his demands to hire former Loverboy drummer Matt Frenette?     JAM Fact: FUNNY. ~Q&A~Q&A~Q&A~Q&A~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: Were the lyrics to "The Whale Song" written by Jack Irons alone or did Ed help to write them?    A: Only Jack. Q: Does Pearl Jam have any plans to take advantage of the internet to distribute downloadable tracks to fans in the future? I'm thinking along the lines of Rage Against the Machine releasing their new single through Real Networks and things of that nature.     A: We are working on some things. Q: Might Pearl Jam release a single from the new album this way?    A: No. Q: I had a question about something I read on the Red Hot Chili Peppers website.  Anthony Kiedis said that if he could sing a duet with anyone, that he would sing it with Ed Vedder. Any chance in this happening?    A: Why not? Q: I read that Ed did two songs with the Supersuckers for a tribute to X but no release date was given, do you have any information on a release date for that one?    A: Not sure that it is happening now. Q: Will PJ put out another photo-book, perhaps with newer photos?     A: Sure. Q: How many albums do Pearl Jam have left to do on their current contract with Epic? (counting the upcoming new album)    A: A couple. Q: Dave Krusen is not involved with any band right now. Is there any possibilty he might return after Matt's departure?     A: No. Q: I live in Juneau, Alaska, just south of Skagway. Our local newspaper, the Juneau Empire, published an article that said Pearl Jam had contacted the City of Skagway about doing a concert there. Could it be true?     A: Sure. Q: I'm a resident of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and I've read in a local magazine that PJ will be playing down here in May, 2000...is there a chance that this could be possible?    A: Yes. Q: When will Pearl Jam be coming for a tour to Argentina?    A: Soon I hope. THE TEN CLUB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Ten Club has an update for you on the Ten Club pages on Synergy at http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/tenclub/update.html. Please keep your membership current so you won't miss out on anything. Newsletter #15 will be out very soon now. HEARD RUMORS? HAVE QUESTIONS? ASK, WE'RE AN EAR... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When you send your rumors and questions in to us at the Rumor Pit, please put **PJ RUMOR PIT** in the Subject line of your question message and please remember that personal questions, requests for autographs, lyrics, and bootleg information won't be answered. New Subscribers: Here's your first emailed issue of the Rumor Pit! Updates can be frequent when the guys get busy so for current news in between issues, please visit us on Synergy at http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/ Much Love, Kat and Sea