Jeff Ament Talks Pearl Jam Setlist Unpredictability & More

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament recently chatted with Rolling Stone about the Seattle rockers’ upcoming plans and more. Within the interview, Ament was asked about the unpredictability of Pearl Jam’s live sets and the bassist brought up a comparison to the Grateful Dead.

Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene questioned Ament about the rarities Pearl Jam works into sets. Jeff shared memories of attending a Grateful Dead show and compared the two acts’ rabid fanbases. “That’s what I got out of going to see the Grateful Dead back in the day. I remember the first time I saw them, the crowd went nuts at one point. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t even recognize this song.’ I didn’t know the Dead that well. I was like, ‘Did somebody just take their pants off? The crowd is going crazy right now.’ Someone said to me, ‘Oh, they haven’t played this song since 1968.’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’s the most incredible thing ever.’ The crowd knew the catalog so well that within 30 seconds of the song starting, they all knew. We’re sort of touching on that sort of relationship with our fans, and that’s great,” Ament said.

Jeff Ament also revealed that Pearl Jam doesn’t have any plans currently in the works to record a follow-up to 2013’s Lightning Bolt, but that a call could come at any time to enter the studio. Head to Rolling Stone for the full feature. Pearl Jam returns to the road in Sunrise, Florida on April 8.

[via Rolling Stone / Hat Tip – Live For Live Music]