Curious if there are any songs Stone plays lead on. I know Mike handles the lead play and is awesome but trying to see if there are any songs with Stone ripping to check out. TIA!
He takes lead on several songs, as many here have stated. Having Stone as a “rhythm guitarist” is an embarrassment of riches honestly. Dude can shred with anyone. I’d recommend checking out some of his side projects where he is the lead guitarist too, he’s got some good stuff. He also comes up with a lot of the unforgettable riffs that we all love. I mean, the man wrote the “Alive” riff that I’d argue is one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock music history.
Their story is absolutely insane really. A band that starts out of chance and tragedy, who almost implode and end under their own weight, and end up being one of the biggest rock acts of all time and still going strong 30+ years later…it’s amazing. There’s a reason why in my world, there’s Pearl Jam, the Grateful Dead, and everyone else.
I was just talking to someone about exactly this a couple days ago. EV was basically living a nothing life doing nighttime security and pumping gas or something and just happened to cross his path with this collection of guys whose other bands had all just fallen apart. I'd say anyone with their kind of wealth and riches is to some degree lucky, but EV's cards fell *just right*.
Well, that was the FIRST time Jack Irons saved Pearl Jam! He was the one that passed along the demo to his buddy Ed that Stone, Jeff, and Mike had made. Of course, Jack would once again save the band when he joined for a period. Jack Irons has played a HUGE role in the creation and longevity of PJ. His importance can’t be understated.
He does on many (see the other responses). He has a very different style to Mike. It is slower and “goofier” (that’s the best adjective I can use to describe it). Once you get familiar with it, you’ll be able to pick his solos a mile off
Yeah, I (like most people) loved mike’s solos as I was getting to know PJ’s music, but I’ve found that I prefer Stone’s more as I see them more and more. He has such interesting/individual phrasing, and somehow really unpredictable note choice despite playing mostly pentatonic
Their songwriter/vocalist Shawn Smith passed away recently, but it appears that they have some unreleased recordings coming in 2023. Their first 2 albums, Shame and Interiors, are essential. After that the records are hit and miss.
Stone plays the first solo in Quick Escape, as well, at 2m27s on the studio version. He wanted it to sound like "an army of robotic bees mixed with the strings from 'Toxic' by Britney Spears"
The dynamic of Stone Gossard and Mike McCready often reminds me of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, where one is known for shredding and the other is rhythm, when the rhythm player solos, it's usually very different from the norm but also recognizable. It would be cool to see Stone and Mike do a jam and dueling solos.
As I’ve watched the band evolve over the years, Mike has gradually taken over the duties as the lead guitarist. My first show was 31 years ago and Stone played more lead back in those days, to the point where it felt pretty evenly divided. Those guys were 25 or 26 when they made Ten. Mike has gone from a solid young player to a legitimate guitar god over the course of three decades. The reality is that he’s become a much better lead guitarist at this point.
My ex GF thought he was a charity case because from her perspective.......Eddie could just play the "other" guitar and he just sort stands in the back.
Well that’s really dumb. Eddie is nowhere near as good at playing rhythm and soloing as stone. Corduroy is the most complicated thing he plays and it’s not complicated
Eddie couldn’t play the Alive or even flow riff if his life depended on it
Do The Evolution
Going to listen now!
Many songs!!
Several. Some examples: Do The Evolution, Not For You and Brain Of J.
Spin the black circle? Woah! Very nice!!
He does some soloing on Not For You
I’m making a playlist of all songs mentioned. Thank you!
>I’m making a playlist of all songs mentioned. Thank you! Please share it here on r/PearlJam when you've completed it
Rats Save You
The bass on rats is life!
Same with Dirty Frank!
Saw a Pearl Jam cover band in the Bay Area called dirty Frank!
Several songs that have been mentioned, but also, bass on smile!
He plays bass on dance of the clairvoyants too!
And Faithfull
I had no idea about this one! Talented bunch of guys
He plays bass on Evolution too.
He plays bass? Woah. What does Jeff do on that one?
When they play it live, Jeff and Stone swap instruments.
So cool!
He takes lead on several songs, as many here have stated. Having Stone as a “rhythm guitarist” is an embarrassment of riches honestly. Dude can shred with anyone. I’d recommend checking out some of his side projects where he is the lead guitarist too, he’s got some good stuff. He also comes up with a lot of the unforgettable riffs that we all love. I mean, the man wrote the “Alive” riff that I’d argue is one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock music history.
Stone wrote the meat of the classic songs!
Yep, lots of them. Lucky for all of us there was this bum down in San Diego that had lots of words to add to the music!
Thankfully!!
Their story is absolutely insane really. A band that starts out of chance and tragedy, who almost implode and end under their own weight, and end up being one of the biggest rock acts of all time and still going strong 30+ years later…it’s amazing. There’s a reason why in my world, there’s Pearl Jam, the Grateful Dead, and everyone else.
I was just talking to someone about exactly this a couple days ago. EV was basically living a nothing life doing nighttime security and pumping gas or something and just happened to cross his path with this collection of guys whose other bands had all just fallen apart. I'd say anyone with their kind of wealth and riches is to some degree lucky, but EV's cards fell *just right*.
Well, that was the FIRST time Jack Irons saved Pearl Jam! He was the one that passed along the demo to his buddy Ed that Stone, Jeff, and Mike had made. Of course, Jack would once again save the band when he joined for a period. Jack Irons has played a HUGE role in the creation and longevity of PJ. His importance can’t be understated.
It’s a wonderful thing it’s worked out as it has.
He does on many (see the other responses). He has a very different style to Mike. It is slower and “goofier” (that’s the best adjective I can use to describe it). Once you get familiar with it, you’ll be able to pick his solos a mile off
Yeah, I (like most people) loved mike’s solos as I was getting to know PJ’s music, but I’ve found that I prefer Stone’s more as I see them more and more. He has such interesting/individual phrasing, and somehow really unpredictable note choice despite playing mostly pentatonic
He plays a mean solo on Rockin in the free world
and on Fuckin Up, another Neil Young cover
So does Bon Jovi surprisingly
Check out his work with side band “Brad”. Tons of killer stuff.
I’ve always heard of Brad but never listened. Got them on my list!
Their songwriter/vocalist Shawn Smith passed away recently, but it appears that they have some unreleased recordings coming in 2023. Their first 2 albums, Shame and Interiors, are essential. After that the records are hit and miss.
Secret Girl by Brad features a great Stone solo
His new Painted Shield album is pretty strong too. Check out Dead Man's Dream. Incredible Stone Gossard Riff and solo too.
Stone plays the first solo in Quick Escape, as well, at 2m27s on the studio version. He wanted it to sound like "an army of robotic bees mixed with the strings from 'Toxic' by Britney Spears"
I gotta check this out!!
Fuckin up is my favorite stone solo. Usually stretches it out a bit
Doesn’t he do solo honors when they cover Rockin’ In The Free World?
Mankind 🥰 I love hearing Stone sing!
The dynamic of Stone Gossard and Mike McCready often reminds me of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, where one is known for shredding and the other is rhythm, when the rhythm player solos, it's usually very different from the norm but also recognizable. It would be cool to see Stone and Mike do a jam and dueling solos.
That would be sweet!
I would love to see Stone do the solo on Black or Even Flow
That would be sweet. They're both really talented, but yes, Black with Stone taking lead would be a real treat.
Thin Air
Daughter?
That’s Mike
I had a feeling I would get this wrong. I assumed Stone was the lead on this one because of the intro
Would be strange to play the riff on acoustic and then solo on electric
Last Exit I think...
Nope, that’s Mike.
As I’ve watched the band evolve over the years, Mike has gradually taken over the duties as the lead guitarist. My first show was 31 years ago and Stone played more lead back in those days, to the point where it felt pretty evenly divided. Those guys were 25 or 26 when they made Ten. Mike has gone from a solid young player to a legitimate guitar god over the course of three decades. The reality is that he’s become a much better lead guitarist at this point.
> My first show was 31 years ago and Stone played more lead back in those days, to the point where it felt pretty evenly divided Just not true.
Alive
My ex GF thought he was a charity case because from her perspective.......Eddie could just play the "other" guitar and he just sort stands in the back.
Well that’s really dumb. Eddie is nowhere near as good at playing rhythm and soloing as stone. Corduroy is the most complicated thing he plays and it’s not complicated Eddie couldn’t play the Alive or even flow riff if his life depended on it
Let the Records Play - I love that intro!
Sonic reducer!