Hunger Strike, with Chris Cornell, Bridge School 2014

Hiya! I’ve been totally missing in action, but there’s been a whole lot of Pearl Jam fun afoot. I had to miss this tour, what with the five month old, but my tour buddy C saw the boys in Milwaukee, lucky lucky duck that she is.

[Sidenote: I had threatened to jump out a window  after the No Code show if she got Yield. In jest, but then it ACTUALLY HAPPENED.]

And at this very moment she’s at the Bridge School concert for the second day in a row. Jealous I am.

Anyway, you’ve probably seen this already, but I just got a moment to track it down, and it’s pretty great. I’m basically the only person on the planet who loves Pearl Jam but just isn’t that into Soundgarden, largely because of (I KNOW, DON’T KILL ME) Chris Cornell’s voice, which I just don’t get. BUT he seems like a cool guy, and even I can get behind a TOTD reunion, so here you have it. This is a great video, too.

Reach Down, with Chris Cornell, Santa Barbara 2003

So, apparently, some people are kind of excited about this new Soundgarden record/tour business. I feel like the only Pearl Jam fan on earth who’s just not that into Soundgarden. Ack, sorry, guys. I wish I liked them more. I can appreciate them, but it’s just not my thing. Though I am happy for everyone else being so excited, that’s kind of nice.

Here’s an epic “Reach Down” from the Santa Barbara show. Video’s not great, but it’s soundboard audio thanks to MFSYNC172.

Hunger Strike & Reach Down (with Chris Cornell & Matt), Irvine 1992

How fun was it to watch that setlist roll in last night from Manchester? 1/2 Full? Pilate? So good.

Let’s hearken back a few years. At the last show of the 1992 Lollapalooza tour, Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron joined the rest of PJ for an impromptu Temple of the Dog reunion. Matt took over the kit. Good times. Especially Mike’s kilt. Wow. Also, is Chris Cornell enormously tall or are all the members of PJ teensy? Short people of the world, unite!

First, “Hunger Strike” (the “MTV song”). Oh Matt, you are awesome, i.e. @ 2:22.

Then, “Reach Down”, which is herky jerky in my browser, but the audio is fine.