there’s a war outside still raging / …it ain’t ours anymore to win
I spoke with a representative from the Pearl Jam Ten Club management today on the phone for about thirty minutes, responding back to a voicemail he left on my cell phone yesterday shortly after my amended post went up, saying they were “saddened” by the developments and asking if I would please call them back. Yesterday was a long day, and life being what it is, I had real-job responsibilities to finish up and a sunburned little kindergartener to pick up from summer camp, so I didn’t get a chance to call them back until lunch hour today. A lot of spiraling has happened since then, all over the internet.
Ultimately I will concede that Pearl Jam has the right to control the way that their material is heard by and unveiled to the fans, and my opinion about how they should make business decisions (which they are simply that — business decisions) is not as important to the rest of the world as it is to me. Fair enough. They have a plan, and crappy-quality fan recordings are not part of that plan anymore.
Yesterday I amended the original post to remove reference to censorship, as I learned more about what unfolded. The deleted written posts around the internet stemmed from a violation of the non-disclosure agreement regarding the deal and commercial with Target for exclusive big-box distribution of their new album, a model that they have worked on for years and are excited about. Pearl Jam wanted it to be unveiled “properly.” Rather than adapt and unveil this news on Friday when rumors of the shoot started leaking, management made the decision to quell discussion until they could release the information on Monday in the manner they had intended. Again, fair enough. Their decision.
We discussed the band’s change in policy, from the years of supported cassette trading among fans to a bigger, brighter, shinier internet that disseminates information to millions with a click, and how this affects the way that their new music is experienced. The term he used was “opening the presents before Christmastime.” My opinions on the effects of hearing live, pre-release fan recordings differs from that of the band and the management.
As this blog has grown, I have found myself with a leg in both worlds of the fandom where this all began and the industry side, and I’m not always quite sure where my personal enthusiasm stops and responsibility to whatever platform I have must begin. After some initial unfortunate very harsh words in the phone call (apparently Fuel/Friends is, and I quote, “a shitty blog”), the representative of the band reiterated that the support of fans and sites like mine are “very important” to the band and to the Ten Club, and asked if there was anything they could do to amend the breakup.
Ultimately what I take away from the conversation (other than reluctantly tear-streaked cheeks) is that I can see the perspective of a man and a business that is trying to make it work for them as well. We simply have two very different vantage points: that of the fans who will always want more and more in our excitement, and that of the band trying to manage a career purposefully and deliberately, on their terms. Ultimately, they win and don’t owe me anything. It’s their band, their decisions.
I guess sometimes we think that earnest fandom means we can do whatever we want as bloggers, and enthusiasm will smooth over a multitude of transgressions. And it’s not always so in an increasingly legalized internet world. I must have been hasty to publicize –or frankly even have— personal feelings about all this when, to them, I think it’s just business.
Name: Heather Browne
BTW the “1/2 full” person is totally full of self-important shit. get a life, dude.
spookycat — June 5, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
Hey, Pearl Jam 10 Club. Way to shoot yourself in the foot.
Playing in a band is work. It is a business. We get that and understand that. But without your fans there is no business.
I get the feeling that you never read any of the Pearl Jam posts on here when you asked to have the music taken off. If you had, you would have known she was a fan and not just another blogger trying get 1st crack on an exclusive track.
And way to be professional about it. I too think it’s cool to belittle people. Nice job by calling it a shitty blog.
Why don’t you go after the blogs that are really hurting your band. The ones that give your shitty albums away for free.
Oh, and congrats on the Target deal. Can’t wait to see the cool bulls eye logo on your tour shirts.
Chris — June 5, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Hi,
As I was reading your blog and the responses, I somewhat have mixed reactions. I admit, I for one would Love to hear any new PJ, leaked tune or official. But, as the MINORITY here pointed, it was NOT MEANT to be heard that way. And why are we so quick to judge the band? Why do we expect SO MUCH from them? Ok, granted they say “shitty blog”, but didn’t they say they want to make amends and emphasized the importance of fans? It’s in your blog. But people, want to focus on the negative side. On YOUR side. The “shitty blog” side… It’s quite dramatic.
And to all the commenters here, eager to get behind your back and ready to spit on PJ, if you think PJ doesn’t deserve you, well, i think you don’t deserve them either.
Just my two cents…
Just Need to — June 6, 2009 @ 12:38 am
What would Lester Bangs do? “They need us more than we need them.” Rockon sister.
Daviso — June 6, 2009 @ 6:14 am
Vedder has been treating his fans like garbage for years. At a show a couple years ago in Saskatchewan Canada, he drags this little 11 year old kid onstage, dances her around the stage until she starts getting really upset and Mike comes to ask if she’s ok. He then jokes ‘your coming with us on tour’ and ‘Melissa has school’. My friend was in shock. Here this was a fat little kid who went to the show with her brother. Tons of teenage guys who would’ve loved to come onstage and he picks this liitle kid just so he can mess with her. There is his infamous Pa USA ‘Im into hard core stuff and I like shi**ing on little girls heads’ comment he later blamed on concern for Sleater Kinney. He’s a mean jerk who has problems with women and Heather learned this the hard way.
Jason Andrews — June 6, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
I’d like to take this opportunity to announce
http://www.heathersshittyblog.com/
NOTE: No Heathers were used in the making of this blog.
K Cortez — June 6, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
You have a really good blog. I’ve read it regularly for almost 3 years now. But you need to stop the drama when it comes to this 10C situation. Their reaction to you posting illegally bootlegged material was justified and you simply over-reacted to it.
I can’t believe someone that I admired over the years for her love of music would so quickly turn on one of her favorite artists. And for what? Because you were one of many popular places to get a low quality mp3 from.
Even this most recent post about the phone call comes across so much different than what we typically read on your site. You sound very self-absorbed and petty; like a child whining.
Please return to talking about music with passion and enthusiasm. Blogging about artists we love like Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley and introducing us to cool new artists every week. If you don’t want to talk about Pearl Jam anymore so be it. I’ll definitely miss those moments, but I’m not going to threaten to stop reading your blog because of it.
Purex37 — June 6, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
I have been a daily visitor to your wonderful blog and will in the future, but thank god i dont have to read/listen to the garbage being written in response to the pearl jam “drama” playing out here..get a life, all of you guys, really.
It is their material…their choices…suck it up and go buy yourself a “cheap” ticket to Creed
you buy a record and create a blog and all of the sudden you can dictate what is moral, right, wrong and in the best interest of everyone?
scary future with this “information age”
Mr.Fields — June 8, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
btw, purex37
You absolutely hit it on the head…
Mr.Fields — June 8, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Heather was not insulted by a suit, she was insulted by an employee and friend of one of the band members. What does it say about you, when you like someone that has no respect for others? There is never any appropriate time for rudeness unless you have the intention of hurting someone or showing off your poor communciation skills. She is not being “very self-absorbed and petty; like a child whining” for having a normal reaction to an insult.
She should say “screw them” because life is to short to waste time with people like that. As for Eddie’s treatment of others, this punk needs to be put on a leash. His dehumaizing tirades against people like Paul Allen and others are those of a petulant child that needs a proper spanking. But the bottom line is anything goes in the pursuit of money and fame. As long as they are still rich then people will allow these asswipes to piss on people forever.
Davis — June 8, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
I find it odd if not irritating to hear you say you’re “breaking up” with PJ over this. I’m sorry, but you’re speaking out of both sides of your mouth when you suggest you feel the band is still relevant and potent yet you have decided not to … whatever it is you’ve publicly decided not to do – or not to do for them any longer.
I’m not going to be a PJ apologist in thinking that all they do and say is golden. I do, however, find it objectionable that 15 yrs + (as you noted) of strict and un-yielding (pun intended) service to their fans is met with such anger and resentment.
I could suggest you re-read your own posts and the obvious impact this band has had on your own life – but surely I don’t need to remind you of your own sentiments. So, I’m left to suggest this: Separate the band from business decisions.
If forging out on your own as an independent artist after being a major label success was easy … everyone would do it. Kelly Curtis said it best when she stated the band would see how it goes this round and if there is something that sucks then the band won’t do it going forward. It’s clear that the cease and desist letters have people’s panties all a-ruffle. Don’t like it? Let them know. Organize. Your blog is pretty popular so get a campaign together – mobilize a coalition of the upset. You can work with TwoFeetThick and TheSky and the guys from gremmie, etc and let PJ’s management know that some fans don’t like these decisions. Although, it does perplex me how angry folks are about the band squashing new content before it’s released. If I’m an artist I probably would want you to hear my album as a whole as I intended it to be released – enjoy the art as it was designed. Not chopped up and beaten and muffled from a cell phone-ish recording. But I digress …
My point here is that the complaints and selfish anger over this wreaks of a SPOILED set of fans who have become increasingly accustomed to more and more access and special treatment from the band. Either you enjoy their music or you don’t. Either you appreciate where they’ve taken rock-n-roll or you don’t. You simply can’t enjoy and appreciate them while simultaneously deciding to “break up” with them because you don’t like a new business strategy.
What I see is an effort by INDEPENDENT artists attempting to find new ways of disseminating their art. I can’t stress enough how management’s strategy is OBVIOUSLY a work in progress. Name ONE TIME the band didn’t listen to it’s fans and do all they could to correct a problem. You’d be hard pressed to find a legitimate complaint. It’s baffling and saddening to me to see so many “loyal” fans not allowing for some understanding to a band that has given them so much over such a long period of time.
Pete — June 10, 2009 @ 12:33 am
As I’m reading the comments … and those who are saying PJ are going to lose fans over this … what (?) and good riddance. Wow.
Pete — June 10, 2009 @ 12:54 am
Heather,
I’m sorry to hear about your disillusionment. I’ve been a fan of your blog for some time, and love that you share(d?) my love for all things PJ. They were the first band to capture me emotionally, and they have built up a lot of equity for that over the years. I think it’s unfortunate that they have changed so much, but I think what what it really all boils down to is this:
If they can’t make money doing what they do, they can’t do it anymore. I want them to keep making money, and they can keep finding new and exciting ways to take my money for as long as they want. They got me through high school. I couldn’t have done it without their music and I owe them. As for the leaked song and the quashing of fan support, I think it’s important to keep in mind that those fans that leaked the song and the experience were betraying their non-disclosure agreement. Basically, they promised the band they love that they would keep the experience secret and turned around and broke their contract with the band. It’s dishonest, regardless of how badly I want to hear the song.
PJ have certainly made some missteps recently, but their music still moves me. I will be first in line to buy their new album, even if I have to go to Target to get it.
Keep fighting the good fight. Love the (absolutely non-shitty) blog.
Aaron — June 10, 2009 @ 8:24 am
[…] spending many years fighting for the common man. Nick Hornby favorite & Pearl Jam acolyte, I Am Fuel You Are Friends Blogger, Heather Browne, got into a bit of a dust-up last week with PJ Management. It may be time […]
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I believe Mr. Fields offered the most sensible response yet. I have nothing against you, Heather, and I do not doubt that your blog has brought happiness to many thousands of people, some of whom are famous.
However, your increased influence on the world, or significance in it, resulting from your blog gives you no right to distribute copyrighted material. The fact that you were publicly upset because TC slapped you on the wrist for at least a third offense tells me that perhaps your blog has gone to your head a bit.
On the other hand, the TC person (Tim) sounds like an idiot. I would never want to speak with that person again. He sounds like a bit of a hypocrite, as he does not allow name-calling within the TC forums.
On another note, I found it ironic that some of your blogsters insulted PJ’s new song. I guess that was to be expected. One insult often leads to another. Aren’t we all hypocrites? 😉
Sam Austin — June 12, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
You all need to get off your high horses, the bottom line is that illegal recordings of a song were leaked by people who had no right to release them. The band or their people have every right to make people pull those recordings from wherever they may posted. The only thing that is unfortunate is that the blog got called shitty, that shouldn’t have happened, but for a bunch of fans that are seemingly so against bootlegging and piracy you all seem pretty quick to come to the defense of someone that was doing just that.
Andy — June 19, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
I was never a huge fan of Pearl Jam even though they were a big part of my music scene when I was growing up, but I could always respect them on some level because of I thought Vedder was a great musician and lyricist. I’ve also always been of the opinion that fans are what make the music world go around, specifically the fans like Heather who go out of their way to recommend bands they love to other people. So this is just the final push I need to never bother giving Pearl Jam another thought.
Josh — June 21, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
There are possibly far too many comments for you to read them all at this point, but I’m a latecomer to this sad situation and I wanted to lend another comforting voice to your cause. I’ve loved this “shitty” blog for years and have found many great artists to pass on to my own listeners at linesthroughlines through it. Obviously Pearl Jam wasn’t one of them, and I personally never really cared about them that much. They’ve always seemed like douches, even if that perception wasn’t always accurate. Regardless, I’ve got mad love for the line you straddle here, between dedicated superfan of one band and super-seeker of newer potential musical soulmates.
I hurts me to acknowledge the reality that our medium has been marginalized by nearly all musical powers that be except the ones that really need it. To bands/management who are already established, our fawning and affection is viewed as an annoyance, if not a threat somehow. It’s business, of course, but bad business. I can’t help but wonder how these people sleep at night, and if the answer isn’t “on pillows filled with cash”.
And it’s sadder still that reps from your favorite band would do the same thing we expect from every other soul-sucking censor out there. To someone as nice and honest as you are. Chin up, Heather.
Drew — July 7, 2009 @ 5:36 am
Well, i know this is quite late… but i guess, now that we know the whole picture, when both sides are accounted for, you may want to return being a PJ fan…
I know some words may be harsh, and I won’t say you’re right with what you done, nor i agree with the name calling of “shitty blog” (though I believe it is given too much emphasis by the comments here).
I would love to read a comment or review from you from the upcoming album, Backspacer…
It’s always sad to lose love with a band… but to lose it due to some other person, other than the music, or one of the band members itself, is sadder.
Don't mind me — September 11, 2009 @ 7:15 am
Great post. Pearl Jam is a fantastic band – I suppose with great power comes great responsibility. Although, everyone is free to do what they should want.
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