Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth at the MGM Grand

To many, the era of grunge started with a quartet of bands– Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice In Chain and Soundgarden. Of those four, only Pearl Jam is still creating and playing their music for the masses.

The band broke big on the success of their debut cd, Ten, with angst-driven songs like “Even Flow” and “Jeremy.” Other hits followed over the years like “Daughter” and “Better Man.” But thanks to a change in music wind and the band’s drawn-out fight with Ticketmaster, by the mid-90s, the band seemed to fall out of the spotlight for all but their core fans.

Towards the end of the decade, they recorded a cover of the 60s hit “Last Kiss” for their fan club, but it was leaked by some radio DJs on the airwaves. It quickly became a big hit for Pearl Jam and the band released it to the public, reigniting their fan base.

This year, Pearl Jam has released their new eponymous-titled cd to both critical and commercial accolades. “World Wide Suicide,” the first single, is the band at its best, and the recently aired “VH1 Storytellers” should re-establish them as a musical force to a new generation of fans.

Pearl Jam rolls into town for one night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 6. Opening for them are long-time indie darlings Sonic Youth, who had several critically acclaimed albums in the 80s with their sound that melded punk, new wave and art rock into a dissonant sonic landscape.

*****

When: July 6, 2006
Where: Grand Garden Arena
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $51.00

MGM Grand
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas NV 89109
702.891.1111
800.929.1111