Pearl Jam Frequently Asked Questions : Part 4

SECTION 4.0 - TECHNICAL, MUSICAL AND BOOKS

4.01 What instruments do the band members endorse?
The band does not endorse any specific brands but this is what they use.

Jeff Ament : Hamer 12 string, 8 string and fretless basses
Stone Gossard : Gibson Les Paul
Mike McCready : Fender Stratocaster

4.02 What magazines are good for Pearl Jam music?
Guitar for the Practicing Musician and Guitar World. There have not been any drum books published for Pearl Jam.

4.03 Where can I get a hold of some Pearl Jam sheet music?
There are a number of sites but here are the ones that I would use.

Bass Tabs - http://www.citilink.com/~goktepe/btab/pearljam/. Maintained by : Andrew Goktepe
Guitar Tabs - https://www.angelfire.com/co2/pearljam/tabs.html. Maintained by : Jamie Rodman
Drum Set Music - http://www.lukin.com/Music/ Maintained by : Ian Hadfield

4.04 How come the lyrics in the music books are wrong?
Well, Eddie Vedder's lyrics are hard to decipher, and like everyone, music books have to "translate" them so they too get them wrong. The tab is usually correct, but the lyrics are use at your own risk. Also, keep in mind that the band improvises a lot during their live performances. Eddie sometimes changes lyrics to songs so, if you do try and transcribe lyrics yourself, you should try to transcribe the studio version if you want transcribe "official" lyrics.

4.05 Have any books ever been written about the band?
Pearl Jam, the illustrated biography by Brad Morrell. (very cool pictures and brief bio of band)
Pearl Jam - The Illustrated Story by Allan Jones, published by Melody Maker books (I think) it costs UK pounds 7.99, though there is a marketing war between big bookstores and some are selling for 5.99) I don't know if this is available in the US and how much it would cost here.
Also, someone has posted this info: I received a copy of the Pearl Jam biography written by Mick Wall. It was imported from the UK. The price was rather steep at $32 and there is nothing "new" in it, but it explained the history of the Seattle music scene very well, including a family tree of the bands directly related to Pearl Jam. If anyone wants a copy here`s the info:

Music Machine
11459 Cronhill Dr. Suite 0
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Phone: 410-356-4567
Fax:410-356-4693

Other books available from Music Machine : The Illustrated Biography by Brad Morrell, and a tear out photo book.
And for other interesting readings, check out: Route 666: On the Road to Nirvana by Gina Arnold This book isn't exclusively about the band, but talks about the Seattle 'scene', and chronicles some of Pearl Jam's early days. Loser: The Real Seattle Music Story by Clark Humphrey (another excellent book about the Seattle music scene)