Pearl Jam Sets the Stage to Vote for Change

Posted by ZP Heller, Brave New Films at 4:36 PM on October 28, 2008.

A documentary of the band's 2004 tour with a message that still rings true.

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Remember Vote for Change? Back in 2004, Pearl Jam teamed up with Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie, The Dixie Chicks, and other musicians to promote voter registration in swing states all across the country. Well, directors Coan Nichols and Rick Charnoski followed Pearl Jam on their 8-city tour with a Super 8 camera, and they're releasing this incredible behind-the-scenes documentary now, just in time for election day.

It's always thrilling to see artists who are outspoken about their political beliefs, especially when it's a band you're a fan of or an issue that's important to you. I had the pleasure to sit down with Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard as the band kicked off the Vote for Change tour in Reading, PA, and what Gossard had to say then about activism and the urgent need for bipartisanship seems just as pertinent today. So go to http://pearljam.com/ and sign up for a house party to watch Vote for Change? on November 3.

AlterNet is a nonprofit organization and does not make political endorsements. The opinions expressed by its writers are their own.

Tagged as: activism, 2008 election, pearl jam, vote for change

ZP Heller is the editorial director of Brave New Films. He has written for The American Prospect, AlterNet, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Huffington Post, covering everything from politics to pop culture.

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Pearl Jam [Report this comment] Posted by: kepstein7777 on Oct 29, 2008 3:21 AM Current rating: 3 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I thought grungers were supposed to be cynical, apathetic slackers. If this is any indication of a pattern, Gen X is turning into their parents: idealistic, Boomer-like creatures who have strong beliefs and think they can make a difference. The Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, Bruce, etc. should all have the unconditional right to freedom of speech with no caveats or exceptions. Yet I cringe when I see them exercise it. Sometimes I feel like musicians get too political when they pass their prime, as if they're trying to stay relevant or something. It's a bit presumptuous and egotistical for rock stars to think they can tell people how to vote, and think they can swing elections. And if they can, isn't that undemocratic? Is it better than the fundamentalist preacher telling his flock to go out and vote Republican? Of course, they could be like some groups (AchWhooo!!...'scuse me...), who sit back, collect royalty checks and sell all of their songs to car commercials. If nothing else, I guess it keeps things interesting. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Pearl Jam Posted by: justbeingme why can't rock stars speak out? [Report this comment] Posted by: deborama on Oct 29, 2008 5:11 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I have no idea why there is always so much objection to rock stars speaking their minds about politics. Some of them are quite a bit more intelligent than our so-called leaders. The successful ones have traveled the world many times over and are way more worldly and sophisticated than, say, Sarah Palin. By definition, they use their voices for a living and are articulate and even poetic. And no, it's not the equivalent of ministers telling their congregations how to vote. Unlike churches, rock bands pay taxes. Watch the video I made of Bruce Springsteen addressing the crowd in Philadelphia in early October. Rarely will you hear a politician speak so eloquently about the meaning of America. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usRHgEXD0Ss [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] I am the world's oldest Jammer [Report this comment] Posted by: momilitia on Oct 29, 2008 3:26 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I have been enjoying Pearl Jam since my son introduced me to them in the very early 90's. They are the hope of people his age, for that matter any age, I'm 57, see I told ya I was the oldest, also the most faithful. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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