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Spring Music Guide 2003 Pearl Jam Support: Idlewild Date: Sun, June 1. 7pm. Price TBA. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View. 650.967.3000 Current Album: Riot Act (Epic, 2002) Vitals: Riding in on the skinny white legs of Seattle grunge in the early '90s, Pearl Jam has since morphed into a stormy rock and blues powerhouse with eight albums, a string of unlikely hits and a penchant for eschewing commercial tendencies. Breakthrough: "Jeremy" (1991) Current Single: "Save You" (2003) Scouting Report: The world tour started in Australia on Feb. 8, lands in the United States April 1 and will be about four shows into its second North American leg when the band arrives here in June, refreshed from a three-week break. Bootleg fans and collectors can enjoy instant gratification as Pearl Jam continues its practice of offering low-priced ($12-$15), secured, unmastered MP3s of its performances to preordering fans within hours of the show's completion. Judging from reviews so far, the tour embodies the band's characteristic devotion to fans: generously long shows, ever-changing set lists from all eight albums and creative covers and medleys from the roots of rock & roll. Peal Jam's encores are often double the length of those of standard bands, and the first encore might include as many as six songs. The band has never been afraid to take a stand on all things political and practical, and this tour is sure to feature some zingers from frontman Eddie Vedder, who once danced onstage in a Dubya mask. (CA) Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]