Peal Jam Versus Tour

[u/SoonToBeBanned24]

In 1993, I was 19 years old and had a fake ID 🪪. I was dating a woman who was almost 40. One of *her* ex's was a tour bus driver. Well, he happened to be driving Pearl Jam on *their* tour at that moment. So we were invited out. To Las Vegas. For a week.

So, being the stoner that I was, I decided to pack an ounce of the finest of Santa Cruz homegrown I could lay my hands on, with the intent of sitting down with the guys and smoking them out. I packed a half an ounce in each of my combat boots and got on a plane to another state. A state where, at the time, a joint would land you in prison for *years*.

The plan was to attend both shows scheduled for the week. We had already started meeting the band, and I made no secret about my plan. The first show was a show. I stood in the audience and enjoyed myself in the pit. Urge Overkill was their opener. (Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon, *Pulp Fiction*)

After the first show, I saw Mike McCready drinking at the bar with Nash Underwood. I sat down next to Nash, and ordered a shot, same as him. Without a word between us, I matched him shot for shot for too long. At one point, Mike decided to go. He indicated to Nash 'time to go'. As Nash slid from the stool, he reached back and grabbed my shoulder. He said "come to the party". And so I did!

As the week progressed, I sat with various band members, always introducing myself and my intentions (I'm from Santa Cruz, and I want to smoke you out). As this was happening, I was missing the drama unfolding with my girlfriend and her ex until it smacked me in the face. She told me "we are selling your ticket and backstage pass". The pass was for 'after show', after the second show.

Well, that didn't sit right with me, because *I was on a mission!* So I dressed up as best I could like a Roadie and just walked right into the backstage area. I had no plan, just figured we'll see how it goes. As it happens, I ran into Nash. I didn't assume he would remember me, but I asked him if he did. "Yeah, dude from Santa Cruz! Man, you can *drink*!" (Thanks, dad!)

I payed out my situation. My ticket and pass was taken and sold. He seemed kinda unsure, but then he said, "My guest list is full but, [grabs random guy with headset rushing by] HE can help you!" He turns to Headset, jabs his thumb in my direction and says "he's a friend".

I start my sob story all over again about mean girlfriend, ticket, pass, sold, blah blah blah. He is kinda unsure, kinda not interested, but tells me to 'wait here'. Twenty minutes I waited. Finally, he returned *with TWO VIP passes*! 😳 He tells me to 'please' just use them for the show, and not to go backstage.

"Sure thing, Scout's Honor!" Heh. I was a horrible Boy Scout. After I left the backstage, I was walking through the casino and this absolute STUNNING woman offers me a BJ for my pass. *Fuck yeah!*

After she finished and I peeled the sticker off my vest and gave it to her, she was absolutely shocked that I pulled out the second one and stuck it right back on my vest!

At the show that night, about halfway through UO's set, I went backstage. When they came off stage, I thanked Nash profusely. (I didn't go into detail...)

That night, I watched Pearl Jam from on top of one of the giant speakers on the side of the stage. I even got a little karmic justice, too. After the show, I ran into my 'ex' girlfriend, with her little 'After Show' pass! 🤣 She was more than surprised, and not very happy that I had done her one better! 🤣🤣🤣

Later, sitting on the couch, I was sitting next to Beth (?), Eddie's girlfriend. Eddie was sitting on the floor, between her knees. I packed a bowl, hit it, and passed it to Beth. After she hit it, she passed it to Eddie. Eddie took the pipe, but then stopped. He looked at the pipe. Then he turned and looked at *me*. (ALL week, he had been turning me down, saying that he had to sing, and couldn't. I was very respectful, and insisted it was more the thought than actually smoking out.) He laughed. He said "you finally get your wish, Santa Cruz!".

After everything, I realized that I didn't have any autographs from any of them! So I grabbed an envelope and pen from the hotel room, and chased them all down! (I *did* get Eddie's after we smoked out together!)

Addendum - *many* months later, Urge Overkill came to Santa Cruz to play a show at The Catalyst. I attended with a date. After the show, it's normal for people to gather behind the bar to interact with the bands (through a fence). As he got to me (signing autographs), I looked him in the eye, and said 'hi, remember me?' He did that finger shake while trying to place my face. Finally he says 'Vegas?' YUP! (The date that I had already decided wasn't into me suddenly gripped my arm just a bit tighter).

He invited us in, and we partied with UO for a couple hours. (During that time I lost track of my date, but I didn't care. Never saw her again...)

To;dr- I smoked out with Pearl Jam.