Jamily Matters

15/09/2022

Pearl Jam played Madison Square Garden on September 11th and Billie Jean and Roche (and Venus and Serena) were there!

It was Billie's first show of the tour and Roche's second but it was the first the two attended together so they were looking forward to comparing notes in this episode of Jamily Matters.

From the new "stools" setup to start PJ shows to the MSG crowd to the musical highlights to Ed's poignant talk about 9/11 to Josh's role in the band to Roche getting initiated into the family by Billie Jean's husband and brother, it was an amazing night of music. If you were there, relive it with the crew and if you weren't, they'll make you feel like you were there!

Pearl Jam played Madison Square Garden on September 11th and Roche (and Venus and Serena) was there! If you were there, relive it with the Jamily Matters podcast and if you weren't, podcast make you feel like you were there!

29/06/2022

Pearl Jam is through two legs of their 2022 tour! What are the trends we've seen so far?

Varied openers!
No Covers shows!
Tighter song rotations!

It's been a topsy turvy ride and we are barely halfway through the tour.

To help make sense of what we've seen so far and with Billie Jean "on assignment". Roche speaks with Randy Sobel of the Live On 4 Legs podcast about U.S v Euro, Gigaton v Ten, and full show v festival sets. Randy also takes us behind the scene of the Jamaroke night in Las Vegas after the band bowed out due to COVID. Roche and Randy also look ahead to the future of Pearl Jam as a touring band.

Finally, Randy plays "My PJ Experience..." and explains why the PJ fan community is so important to him.

https://dc101.iheart.com/featured/roche/content/2022-06-29-podcast-the-pearl-jam-tour-so-far-wrandy-sobel-of-live-on-4-legs/

Pearl Jam is through two legs of their 2022 tour! What are the trends we've seen so far? Roche speaks with Randy Sobel of the Live On 4 Legs podcast about U.S v Euro, Gigaton v Ten, and full show v festival sets. Randy also takes us inside the Jamaroke night in Las Vegas .

12/05/2022

Jamily Matters is back and so is Pearl Jam!

It's been over two years but the band is finally back on the road for a full fledged tour! Roche and Billie discuss the first four dates of the tour to see if they can spot any trends, give some setlist highlights, and overall impressions of the beginning of the 2022 Pearl Jam tour. They also reveal what shows they hope to attend and how they got tickets.

Then, it's the part of the podcast that Billie has been dreading. Now that they have ranked all the songs on the albums, it's time to start ranking all the PJ studio songs from least favorite to favorite! Every ranking has to start somewhere and this one starts at the bottom...and Billie couldn't be more disgusted having to do this.

Are you doing song rankings as well? Hitting up any PJ shows this year? Let us know!

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Pearl Jam 2022 Tour Has Begun! Plus, The Song Rankings List Begins! - May 10, 2022

03/03/2022

Here's Roche On Air's PJ vinyl collection!

Pearl Jam never abandoned the records and now that vinyl is back in a big way, Pearl Jam continues to set the standard. In the this ep of Jamily Matters we talk about the vinyl renaissance and PJ's role in it with Jon Landman of The Syndicate entertainment company. We also discuss the reasons for vinyl's resurgence, the the allure of it, and why it's getting harder for artists to get their music pressed to vinyl. Then, the gang go over their PJ vinyl collection and Roche's "should I or shouldn't I" dilemma.

Listen and subscribe!

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Pearl Jam And The Vinyl Renaissance - Jan 20, 2022

15/02/2022

New episode!

Billie Jean and Roche catch up on Pearl Jam news including the release of Eddie Vedder's solo album, Earthling, a new song from Stone Gossard's band, Painted Shield, and the announcement that Pearl Jam's next album will be produced by Andrew Watt. Then, Billie had a chance to see Eddie Vedder's Earthling Tour and gives a recap of the show. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or click below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eddie-vedder-earthling-live-show-recap-plus-new-painted/id1490759304?i=1000550844564

24/12/2021

For a seemingly "sullen" band, Pearl Jam has a surprising number of Christmas songs, covers and originals. Billie and Roche discuss some of their favorites PJ holiday tunes and wonder if the band would ever tackle a Hanukkah song.

But first, Roche gives an update on the song rankings project and he and Billie give their thoughts on Eddie Vedder's new band, The Earthlings.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at Jamily Matters!

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Pearl Jam Christmas Spectacular! Plus, Ed Goes "Solo" and An Update On The Song Rankings - Dec 15, 2021

24/11/2021

Yield is Pearl Jam's masterpiece.

Is that opinion or fact? Roche and Billie Jean make their case for why it's a fact in the latest episode of Jamily Matters.

It's the album that they've been most excited and most nervous to rank because it is unquestionably their favorite. After waxing poetic about this amazing work of art, they begin the difficult task of ranking the songs of Yield.

And not without controversy as Billie Jean risks her friendship with Roche by ranking his favorite all time PJ song lower on her Yield list.

BONUS: Billie tells of well known drummer who auditioned for Pearl Jam but lost out to Jack Irons.

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Yield:Ranked - Nov 12, 2021

26/10/2021

We just finished recording our Yield episode.

Anybody got a cigarette?

19/10/2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VS! Check out our episode all about this iconic album.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vs-ranked/id1490759304?i=1000459008406

Here's what Roche On Air wrote about Vs a few years ago:

This was a milestone day in my life. This was the first time I waited in line at midnight to buy an album. What an amazing bonding experience waiting and talking music with strangers who shared a love for a band. I had never felt that kind of camaraderie before. Also, this was the album that signaled Pearl Jam as a force to be reckoned with rather than a one album wonder. Yes, they gave us more of the Ten style of rock with tracks like Go, Animal, and Blood. But they also showed a different side of rock they were capable of in great songs like Dissident, Rats, and Rearviewmirror. These were songs that were unlike the rockers on Ten. Speaking of Ten, the slow songs were more of the power ballad variety (Black, Garden) while the Vs slow songs were stripped down (Elderly Woman, Daughter). Vs gave us what we were looking for while prepping us for what was to come. It solidified that I had chosen a favorite band wisely.

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Vs:Ranked - Jan 17, 2020

14/10/2021

So excited for you to hear this episode!

It's late 2002 and Pearl Jam have just released their last album of new material for Epic Records. The record deal they signed pre-Ten had finally been concluded (The compilation albums Lost Dogs and Rearviewmirror would be released over the next two years to officially wrap up the deal) and the band would soon become free agents for the first time in their career.

The world is their oyster.

But what do they want in that oyster?

Even the members themselves weren't quite sure.

Enter Matt Shay. At the time, Matt was at J Records working for Clive Davis but he also had a relationship with Pearl Jam. Could he bring these two titans together? We now know the answer was yes but for the first time Matt gives us the backstory of Pearl Jam signing with J Records, the recording and promotion of the Avocado album, and how the entire process reset the band as it entered its pivotal second chapter of it's career.

Matt Shay signed Pearl Jam to Clive Davis' J Records and for the first time he gives the backstory of Pearl Jam signing with record label, the recording and promotion of the Avocado album, and how the entire process reset the band as it entered its pivotal second chapter of it's career.

06/07/2021

Five years ago this month, Pearl Jam played a now legendary secret show at Third Man Records. Third Man Records co-founder Ben Blackwell joins Roche and Billie to reminisce about that special night in PJ lore. Ben gives us a history of Third Man Records including some great stories of the early days of The White Stripes and Jack White's vision for the building in Nashville. Then, Ben gives the backstory on how Pearl Jam ended up at Third Man that night, how the jam session with Jack White came to be, and much more (19:52). Finally, Ben discusses what Pearl Jam means to him during a round of "My PJ Experience..." including a hilarious Eddie Vedder story and a touching Mike McCready story (49:37).

15/06/2021

Much like everything else during the pandemic, our first listen to new music is unlike anything we've ever experienced before. How much of that has shaped your opinions of the songs on Gigaton? That's a question Billie Jean and I tackle on this episode of Jamily Matters. From the heartbreak of "Comes Then Goes" to the brilliance of "Seven O'Clock" to the invention of "Dance Of The Clairvoyants" to the punk rocking "Superblood Wolfmoon" Gigaton shows that Pearl Jam is far from past their peak. Now over a year old, Billie and I rank the songs of the album and it's overall place in the Pearl Jam discography.

https://dc101.iheart.com/featured/roche/content/2021-06-09-podcast-pearl-jams-gigaton-ranked/

19/05/2021

Pearl Jam releases over 180 live shows as part of the DEEP Immersive Experience and Roche and Billie are overwhelmed (in a great way) by it. Billie gives some behind the scenes insight on the daunting task for a musician to put 5000+ songs on each streaming service and the exhaustive work that goes into it. Did the DEEP drop ruin 6 years of Roche's work on a project? Yes and no. He explains that and why he was happy to see Ed perform hatless at the Vax Live concert. Plus, the duo give their thoughts on the alternate version of "Corduroy" he performed at the show and the surreal experience of seeing live music played in front of a crowd.
Email us your DEEP setlist at [email protected].

https://dc101.iheart.com/featured/roche/content/2021-05-18-podcast-pearl-jam-goes-deep-plus-eddie-vedder-plays-vax-live/

06/05/2021

We kick off our "My PJ Experience..." feature with Brad White who is the Assistant Program Director of the legendary KBCO in Boulder, CO. After getting some background on Brad, the AAA format in radio, and the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater, Billie Jean and I ask Brad about his love of Pearl Jam (17:12). Brad shares some great stories about the famous Soldier Field show, his love of Vitalogy, and what the band has meant to him over the years.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-jamily-matters-54219707/

16/03/2021

For a band with as many albums (which include a Greatest Hits album and a double album of rarities and B sides) as Pearl Jam has released, there are a surprising number of orphaned tracks. Songs that have not appeared on an official studio album (anniversary editions aside). On this episode of Jamily Matters, Billie Jean and I go through the 2000s studio songs that didn't find their way on to a Pearl Jam album and rank them

01/03/2021

Check out the latest episode of Jamily Matters featuring Paul Fletcher of Cities 97.1. Are you still wearing your old school Pearl Jam merch?

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-jamily-matters-54219707/episode/

26/02/2021

We've all got treasured memorabilia from our beloved band that we love to exhibit. That's the thought behind this new feature on Jamily Matters. Our first guest for the "PJ Merch" series is the morning show host for Minneapolis' CITIES 97.1 (and HUGE PJ fan), Paul Fletcher. After Paul and Roche discuss some behind the scenes radio stuff (2:37), Billie Jean joins them in showing off about some of their favorite Pearl Jam items (13:53). It's like Antique Roadshow...for Pearl Jam stuff!��Visit Cities 97.1.com for more info about Paul Fletcher.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-jamily-matters-54219707/episode/

25/02/2021

New episode coming later today.

Here's a teaser.

10/02/2021

Let's talk live music! Since we haven't been able to see live music in almost a year (and counting), Bille Jean and Roche are thirsty for live Pearl Jam. If you are an iPhone user (like Billie), you know all about PJ Stat Tracker. If you are an Android user (like Roche), you have a vague awareness of PJ Stat Tracker. This episode of Jamily Matters is all about the greatness of PJ Stat Tracker and gives everyone (including you) the chance to reminiscence about seeing our favorite band live. Play along while you listen!

Let's talk live music! This episode of Jamily Matters is all about the greatness of PJ Stat Tracker app and gives everyone (including you) the chance to reminiscence about seeing our favorite band live.

03/02/2021

Our favorite PJ album was released today!

On this day in 1998, Yield was released.

What's your favorite song from the album?

23/12/2020

Happy birthday Ed & Happy One Year Anniversary Jamily Matters!

Let's celebrate both with a new episode.

For a band with as many albums (which include a Greatest Hits album and a double album of rarities and B sides) as Pearl Jam has released, there are a surprising number of orphaned tracks. Songs that have not appeared on an official studio album (anniversary editions aside). On this episode of Jamily Matters, Roche and Billie Jean go through the 90s studio songs that didn't find their way on to a Pearl Jam album and rank them. If you'd like to rank along, the tracks below are featured in this episode.

Just A Girl
Evil Little Goat
2000 Mile Blues
I've Got A Feeling
Breath
State of Love And Trust
Sonic Reducer
Real Thing
Crazy Mary
Cready Stomp
Angel
I Got Id
The Long Road
Olympic Platinum
Catholic Boy
Happy When I'm Crying
Leatherman

On this episode of Jamily Matters, we go through the 90s studio songs that didn't find their way on to a Pearl Jam album and rank them.

10/11/2020

On the 18th anniversary of its release, we celebrate the "European dining experience" of Pearl Jam albums, Riot Act. And yes, it's a celebration despite Roche's initial thoughts on the album. He and Billie Jean discuss their extensive live history with the album, Riot Act's place in the overall PJ story (the end of a chapter), and the realization that Riot Act is a unique piece of work in Pearl Jam's catalog.

**NOTE: This episode was recorded before the U.S. Elections took place**

On the 18th anniversary of its release, we celebrate the "European dining experience" of Pearl Jam albums. Roche discusses his extensive live history with the album, Riot Act's place in the overall PJ story, and the realization that Riot Act is a unique piece of work in Pearl Jam's catalog.

22/10/2020

Happy day!
It's the 30th anniversary of 's first show and Regan Hagar was AT THE SHOW! He shares his memories of the early years of the Seattle scene plus the re-launch of Loosegroove Records with Stone Gossard.

It's the 30th anniversary of Pearl Jam's first ever show (and since Regan Hagar was there(!), he talks about the whirlwind of PJ's signing, what the vibe of that first Off-Ramp show was like, and when he knew that his best friend's band was on its way to superstardom.

15/10/2020

We just recorded the next episode and it's our longest one yet.

While you wait, celebrate Lightning Bolt (released on this day in 2013) by checking out the episode about it.

‎Show Jamily Matters, Ep Lightning Bolt: Ranked - May 14, 2020

10/09/2020

Loosegroove Records is officially back! The label, founded by Regan Hagar and Stone Gossard in 1994, has been revived to spotlight young artists and Gossard's new project, Painted Shield. Our very own Billie Jean is working behind the scenes to make sure Loosegroove hits the ground running. Billie tells Roche how the Loosegroove revival came to be, the thrill of getting to work with Stone, and the future of the label. Plus, great news for fans of the band, Brad!

Loosegroove Records, founded by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard in 1994, has been revived to spotlight young artists and Gossard's new band, Painted Shield. Billie tells Roche how the Loosegroove revival came to be, the thrill of getting to work with Stone plus, great news for fans of the band, Brad!

07/08/2020

Compilation albums are usually for the hardest of hardcore fans. Lost Dogs is not your ordinary compilation. For one, it contains one of the biggest hits in the Pearl Jam catalog. It's also the rare compilation that doesn't feel "thrown together." In this episode of Jamily Matters, Roche and Billie Jean discuss the significance of Lost Dog in the career of Pearl Jam, specifically its role in achieving full creative freedom for the band. Speaking of hardcore fans, they also discuss how Lost Dog is the ultimate "kumbaya" collection of songs.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-jamily-matters-54219707/episode/lost-dogs-pt-1-ranked-69792899/?cmp=android_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false

09/07/2020

It's the most important Pearl Jam album and one of the most iconic albums of all time. Ten not only put the band on the map, it launched them into the stratosphere of music. So ranking the songs shouldn't be a problem, right? Yeah, sure. Roche and Billie Jean do their best to rank this virtually flawless album while also pointing out it's unusual place in the band's history. From the "Eddie Vedder voice" to the "overproduction," Ten is the rare groundbreaking work of art that the creators immediately ran away from.

Don't forget to rate and review Jamily Matters on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts.

It's the most important Pearl Jam album and one of the most iconic albums of all time. Ten not only put the band on the map, it launched them into the stratosphere of music. Ten is the rare groundbreaking work of art that the creators immediately ran away from.

05/06/2020

Since the murder of George Floyd, Roche (a black man) has been paralyzed with indecision. He didn't want to mindlessly hit "RETWEET" to other people's thoughts but couldn't get his own thoughts in order to let his voice be heard. As he has done his entire adult life, he turned to music, specifically the music of Pearl Jam. In this episode of Jamily Matters, Roche and Billie Jean share songs from the band that have helped center their thoughts and set them on the path to action.

Since the murder of George Floyd, I (a black man) have been paralyzed with indecision. I didn't want to mindlessly hit "RETWEET" to other people's thoughts but couldn't get my thoughts in order to let my voice be heard. As I've done my entire adult life, I turned to the music of Pearl Jam for help.

27/05/2020

There's an extremely small chance you win the Pearl Jam .

But what if you do?

Get prepped on the choices you'll have to make on the latest Jamily Matters

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Stream the Jamily Matters episode, What If...You Won The Pearl Jam All In Challenge VIP Package?, free & on demand on iHeartRadio.

27/04/2020

Pearl Jam (the album) is the transition from the early '00s to the era we are still in today (unless you consider Gigaton the start of the next era...which Roche may agree with).
It's the band's first album without the shackles of a major label and because of that, they were much more "available" to do promotion of it. In this episode of Jamily Matters,
Roche and Billie Jean reminisce about the release of Avocado and how the experiences around its release are in a lot of ways more memorable than the songs themselves. Come for the rankings of this solid (but unspectacular) album, stay for the comps to...Collective Soul!?!?!?

Pearl Jam is the transition from the early '00s to the era we are still in today (unless you consider Gigaton the start of the next era...which Roche may agree with). Roche reminisces about the release of Avocado and how the experiences around it are in a lot of ways more memorable than the songs.