The Seattle Series Part I: THE HOME SHOWS

As soon as it was announced that Pearl Jam was performing two shows in Seattle, it was on! I had to go. Seeing Soundgarden in Seattle was a dream of mine but that (and so much more) came to a jarring halt once Chris Cornell died, so there was no damn way I would let this opportunity of seeing Pearl Jam in Seattle pass. 

Pearl Jam dubbed these concerts “The Home Shows.” In addition to the promise of being kick ass rock shows, they were charity events with an incredibly dutiful cause - to raise the money and awareness needed to fix the homelessness problem in the city. Phenomenal, right?  Sure, but that’s what you expect from this band. Philanthropic badasses.

I didn't know much about Seattle except that it’s the beautiful, recluse and often cranky home of the soul exposing and inspiring music that shaped much of my youth and still impacts me today. 

Leading up to the shows, my best friend Glori and I, as well as the rest of the Jamily (Pearl Jam family) were in fan-frenzy mode, posting and sharing on social media and making plans  in anticipation of The Home Shows.

This was sure to be the cross-fit of concert life! Even on our flight to Seattle, we met Jamily attending the shows. Our whole week’s itinerary revolved around Pearl Jam - from a scheduled “grunge” tour to the Wishlist fan-run fundraiser parties to merch lines strategies to the MoPop Pearl Jam exhibit & screening plus meeting up with PJ friends from around the globe, old and new. Not to mention -- the actual shows! It was literally Pearl Jam mania!

We landed and it was Starbucks then SubPop - at the airport! Maybe it was the Seattle kool-aid better knows as Starbucks’ Pike Pace roast, but I immediately spent over a hundred bucks at the SubPop store. After going in to simply browse and buy a t-shirt, I walked out with Nirvana and Soundgarden cassette tapes (I don't even own a cassette player), magnets, stickers and bubbles. Yes, bubbles. They had a SubPop sticker on em okay?

The airport was branded with red and black “Home Shows” but that was just the beginning…it seemed like the whole town was branded with The Home Shows signage, especially downtown from posters to sidewalks sketches. Seattle even brewed Pearl Jam beer! It was like a version of an adult Disney World.

Even the clouds dissipated in anticipation of Pearl Jam. The often sullen-skied Seattle was veiled in sunshine for the shows and it was a gorgeous sight! Having never been to the West Coast, this place felt different. It was fresh and surrounded by water and the vastness of the mountains, a spectacular sight to see. 

The Seattle (Ob)Scene

The pretty side of Lake Union.

Lake Union, where we stayed, was an interesting part of town. There were a few great seafood restaurants with gorgeous lake views but opposite the water was scarier than the swift seaplanes that took off from the lake. Ominous cranes representing the attack of tech are forcing their imprint on the skyline. Amazon had Lake Union in a choke hold imposing a limbo-like state of non-culture and tech transplants. 

The area’s non-vibe became even more apparent once we left Lake Union to enjoy a tequila shot bar crawl through Capitol Hill. Apart from the warm welcome we received from Uncle Ike’s pot shop (or what I’d like to call the Costco of weed), Capitol Hill had a chill, quirky, artsy vibe. Not artsy in the fartsy way that wants to compare art history notes with you, but in a way that bursts with character and free thought. 

Capitol Hill chillin' 

Also, no one seemed interested in your business. Were you a local? A tourist? No one cared although I am sure the flannel shirts wrapped around our waists screamed “grunge” tourists. Usually when we travel and tell people we are from NYC, it peaks interest. Not so much here. People were just going about their lives enjoying happy hour with friends, having dinner, chillin’ in cafes and such. It felt like a real neighborhood.

As we arrived back at our hotel, high off of Capitol Hill, the daunting Amazon buildings reminded me of an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown on Seattle. The show shared how Seattle’s culture and history were being wiped out by tech company money and real estate developments featuring high-rise luxury apartments. And I saw it first hand. It felt wrong and dirty. Like the motherland got caught up in an arranged marriage to a rich, sleazy man that plans on sending her children from a previous marriage off to boarding school and turning their bedrooms into office space.

An example of some of the old school zines/flyers

The next day my lament for Seattle continued as we participated in a 

“Grunge Redux Tour.”  The tour was led by a cool dude named Eric Magnuson, part Seattle Historian and part purveyor of all things “grunge.”  He shared his experiences from the music scene back then and his knowledge of the sacred grunge grounds, existing and gone, while painting a picture of what that magical time was really like through story telling and the use of props like old zines, ads, and articles showcasing Seattle’s musical history. Oh, to have been there through it all! 

As we walked the Belltown streets Kurt, Chris, Ed walked, it was the same scene over and over again. Cranes and vulturous construction sites constantly reminding locals that the end of the familiar was near. 

The tour was a highlight of my trip for sure. Eric, in addition to being an all around nice guy, also genuinely cared about Seattle, and it’s rich musical history, culture and landmarks.

My cool tour group.

The Shows!

Entering Safeco Field on Night One was nothing short of a disaster. After a painfully slow merch line, we attempted to enter the monumental stadium.

You couldn't tell where lines began or ended in the dense, drunk, angsty crowd. We had no choice but to cut the line. I wouldn't recommend this since Seattleites are pretty gangsta and were not pleased with us but dude, I was on the verge of a panic attack from the crowded chaos and needed in quick! It wasn't any better once we were inside but chicken fingers and garlic fries helped. 

Our seating crew sucked. At first I was happy to see two young girls in front of us but my attitude shifted once it became selfies - snapchats - repeat. This was DURING the show. I also had quite the talker next to me:

“So, where are you from?” 

“New York? Oh cool. I lived there once for a year.”

“You know, there are a lot of white people here, but Seattle is very liberal.” 

I had to stop her when Breath came on, “Hey girl, I need a minute. I LOVE this song!” 

The set list ruled and Matt Fucking Cameron wearing the 90 shirt was so special because it was in tribute to his band mate brother, Chris Cornell. Glori wore the same 90 shirt, so naturally she had to yell this out to Matt. I’m sure he heard her from our spot oh, 200 rows away. 

A few songs in, these huge 3-foot wide balloons began bouncing throughout the crowd. At first it was fun! Yeah, let’s hit the ball. But, it got old. Fast.

As the energy shifted to a more intense, emotional show, the balloons continued. Ed sincerely addressed the crowd, touching on the homelessness crisis and how “The Home Shows” raised 11 MILLION DOLLARS as a starting point to tackle the problem. The balloons continued. You could sense folks were getting annoyed but felt obligated to hit the balloon once it came by, myself as well. It was like fuckin gym class volleyball on your period.

Now, for me PJ shows are like digging through a bag of mixed halloween candy. You never really know what treats you’re gonna get because set lists are always different. So, when you “get a song” as good as a Snickers bar, it’s delicious!

I ‘got' “Nothing As it Seems” and I was hand-on-my-heart immersed in the moment when SMACK. A balloon to the face! At that moment I knew what I needed to do. I needed to pop those damn balloons. I needed to pop them all!

I couldn't get my hands on them Night 1 but if they were there Night 2, it was going to be ON.

The stadium experience was better Night 2 with the exception of the Jesus People but I’ll elaborate about them in the next post. Pearl Jam’s fan club, The Ten Club designated an entry way for members. Hallelujah. We just had to find it. Great.

Glori and I right before Night 2!

We came across these two chics that seemed to be looking for a specific entryway as well. Yes! Ten Club members! We joined forces with these two besties and became a besties squared superset and immediately hit it off - sharing stories and learning about each other. We found our way inside the venue and bonded some more during a ladies room break. Of course. Before we departed to our seats, we exchanged hugs and contact information. What a sweet, unexpected and gratifying way to start the show!

Opening song was Oceans. Yes!! A personal fave. Then Footsteps. Night 2 was going to be incredible!

Our seating crew was an upgrade. These two cool dudes ahead of me swapped spots to make sure the short guy was in front of me so I could see the stage. Oh, the kindness of strangers. As I was settling in, it began. The balloons! Nope - not tonight Satan! I was ready! I removed my earring and geared up to pop the balloons as they came my way. 

But, I’m short as shit and never really got any air time once the balloons came around. I needed allies. I announced my popping plan to those around me and they were on board. Yes! The best recruit of the night was this 6’5” man to my right.

I knew he would be my MVP and he was! After a few ‘oohs and ahhs' over missed opportunities, he caught one, handed it to me and…POP!! It was a smooth assist and slam dunk! Cheers erupted from my seating mates! We did it. The taste of victory was so sweet, I was able to overlook the spit that spewed out as the balloon popped. Thank God for hand sanitizer. 

However, the battle wasn’t over. Just as we began to relax, more and more balloons were headed our way, like an arcade video game where your enemies come out of the woodwork to attack.

But MVP for the catch and assist…and POP. POP. POP. We murdered a total of four balloons that night which were all of them.

Then came two of the best moments.

First - they played LEASH. I low-key love that song and play it often during my daily subway commute. It amps me up before coffee at my desk.

Second, and most important - Kim Thayil of Soundgarden came on stage right after an emotional Mother Love Bone cover, “Crown of Thorns.” Kim was joined by Mark Arm from Mudhoney for a supergroup rendition of “Kick Out the Jams.” It was a totally unexpected, holy shit moment! I cried.  

The Home Shows, of course, were full of Pearl Jam magic and intensity. The band, engaging and on fire. The fans, grateful and fired up. So much love and sincerity. And, Night 2 featuring Seattle rock royalty made it extra special. My heart will always remember that show. I’m sure Chris was there watching. It was a version of ‘Soundgarden in Seattle’ after all. 

Stay tuned for Part II - The Characters

A pic from The Grunge Redux tour. This is the iron works shop where PJ practiced for their first album, Ten!