Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and his RNDM bandmate Richard Stuverud discussed politics on a recent Pearl Jam Radio special.
Richard said, “After the Paris attacks, the Eagles of Death Metal show, that really just hit me pretty hard, with the violence we have sort of witnessed not only in this country but all over the world. Also being a parent, and having a 10-year old. When Sandy Hook went down, that hit in such a visceral way, it was just unbelievable. It’s always a difficult thing to go there as a songwriter going into any kind of politics, it can be a weird challenging thing.”
Ament added, “But I think that’s Fox News that have sort of put that out there. They have sort of thrown musicians and artists in the realm of, ‘Oh, you’re Hollywood people, so you shouldn’t talk about politics, or you shouldn’t use your pulpit to talk about that stuff.’ I think that’s crazy.”
Richard said, “You and I can both can agree we love The Clash.”
Ament said, “The Clash and all that early hardcore. Crass, Dead Kennedys.”
Ament added that kind of music made him question politics.
“I was sort of brought up in a conservative family. But I think it’s insane that people think as an artist you shouldn’t be able to – I think there’s different kind of art. I think there’s Van Halen bands, where you just go out and party and want to forget about your problems. I think the music that I sort of gravitate towards are people who are talking about real issues, and issues that they’re affected by.
