Blog posts
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Sep 22, 11:57 AMPearl Jam's new album, BACKSPACER, is out now!
SEATTLE – Pearl Jam release their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Backspacer, Sunday, September 20, 2009. Produced by Brendan O’Brien, this highly-charged new disk marks Pearl Jam’s first independent release in the U.S. through the band’s own MonkeyWrench label.
“With the release of Backspacer, Pearl Jam is making good on its longstanding desire to release its music on its own terms,” said band manager Kelly Curtis. “Through a handful of collaborative partnerships, we were able to make the music accessible across multiple platforms for our fans and work with businesses – big and small – supportive of our overall sensibilities.”
Backspacer will be available in the U.S. through Target – the exclusive mass retail partner, Pearl Jam’s own Ten Club, independent retailers, iTunes and Rock Band. Internationally, the album will be available via Universal/Island Records.
For Backspacer, Pearl Jam reunited with producer Brendan O’Brien who produced three of Pearl Jam’s earlier albums (Vs., Vitalogy, No Code), co-produced Yield and oversaw the re-mastering and remixing of their seminal debut Ten which was re-released earlier this year.
The lyrics for Backspacer were penned by Eddie Vedder with music written by Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Eddie Vedder and recorded and mixed at Henson Studios in Los Angeles and Southern Tracks in Atlanta.
Released on August 24th, the album’s first single, “The Fixer,” debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and marked Pearl Jam’s highest sales week for a single download.
‘Backspacer’ is available to order now at Target.com, iTunes, independent retailers and online at www.pearljam.com. The first single, “The Fixer,” is available now for digital download at iTunes. The limited 7” vinyl of “The Fixer” is also available at Ten Club, independent music retailers and select Target stores.
Pearl Jam is set to kick-off its U.S tour in its hometown of Seattle, Washington on Monday, September 21, 2009 at the Key Arena with a subsequent Australia/New Zealand tour set to begin November 14, 2009 in Perth, Australia.
Since their inception in 1991, Pearl Jam has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide including millions of live bootlegs. The band has released eight (8) previous studio records, two (2) live records, one (1) double-disc b-side record, one (1) double-disc greatest hits record and five (5) live/touring DVDs.
BACKSPACER HIGHLIGHTS
Rolling Stone (September 14, 2009)
**** (4 stars)
Backspacer, Pearl Jam's ninth album, backspaces to that boyish spirit, with the shortest, tightest,
punkiest tunes they've ever banged out.SPIN (August 15, 2009)
“Gonna See My Friend,” “Got Some,” and “The Fixer” nearly upend each other rushing out the gate, exploiting Pearl Jam’s leanest, punkest tendencies.BILLBOARD (August 28, 2009)
“Backspacer" is the leanest and meanest Pearl Jam album yet.VILLAGE VOICE (September 15, 2009)
The first five songs are brilliantly sequenced, wide-ranging in texture, and ridiculously melodic.MOJO (October 2009)
**** (4 stars)
“…one of Pearl Jam's most satisfying albums. Listen without prejudice.”LOS ANGELES TIMES (September 18, 2009)
**** (4 stars)
Accessible without sacrificing sophistication, aggressive without flailing, the music on "Backspacer" testifies to the skill of a group locked into its groove but refusing to be bored with it.GUARDIAN (August 13, 2009)
Pearl Jam: 'People get that this means something'New York Times (September 8, 2009)
Mirroring the album’s straightforward, mainstream-rock sound, the nine-panel grid on the cover is rendered in Mr. Perkins’s [aka Tom Tomorrow] characteristically clean, lucid lines. But unlike those of “This Modern World,” the images are more surrealistic than political. -
Jul 09, 12:49 PMPearl Jam announces North American Tour Dates in support of their new studio album, BACKSPACER
Backspacer in Stores September 20, 2009
Ben Harper and Relentless7 to Open All Dates
Except Spectrum Shows
SEATTLE — Pearl Jam announced today that they will play a series of select North American tour dates in support of their ninth studio album, Backspacer. Scheduled for release in the U.S. on Sunday, September 20, 2009, the album will be released in the U.S. through Target, the exclusive mass retail partner, Pearl Jam's own Ten Club and independent retailers, as well as online through digital, and gaming platforms yet to be announced. Internationally, the album will be available beginning on September 21, 2009 via Universal/Island Records. The first single, “The Fixer,” will be released at radio on July 20, 2009.
Pearl Jam's North American dates kick-off in the band’s hometown of Seattle with two shows at Key Arena (September 21st and 22nd) and close with two concerts at Philadelphia's historic Spectrum (October 28th and 30th).
Ben Harper and Relentless7 will open all dates except for the Spectrum shows.
Public tickets for Pearl Jam's Spectrum shows will go on-sale Friday, July 17th at 10 a.m. EST through ComcastTIX at www.ComcastTIX.com by calling 1-800-298-4200, in person at the Wachovia Complex box office or select Acme Markets and at www.LiveNation.com The remaining announced North American dates will go on-sale Saturday, July 18th. Specific ticket on-sale times and locations will be announced in local markets. (Note: Potential additional dates and corresponding on-sale information may be announced at a later date.)
A special ticket pre-sale for current members (as of July 7, 2009) of Pearl Jam's Ten Club begins Monday, July 13th. Visit www.pearljam.comfor full details.
Pearl Jam plans to tour Australia and New Zealand in November 2009. Full details on that leg of the tour will be announced in the coming weeks.
Pearl Jam’s North America Concert Dates are as Follows:
DATE CITY VENUE
Sep-21 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Sep-22 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Sep-30 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Oct-1 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Oct-6 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Oct-7 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Oct-9 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
Oct-28 Philadelphia, PA The Spectrum
Oct-30 Philadelphia, PA The Spectrum
Pearl Jam's North American tour dates are in addition to the band's previously announced headlining performances at the Virgin Festival in Calgary, Alberta (Aug 8), Rotterdam's Sportspaleis Ahoy (Aug 13), Berlin's Wuhlheide (Aug 15), Manchester Evening News Arena (Aug 17), London's 02 Arena (Aug 18), Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre (Aug 21), Chicago's United Center (Aug 23 & 24), San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival (Aug 28) and Austin City Limits Festival (Oct 4). Full list of dates available at www.pearljam.com -
Mar 26, 03:54 PMPearl Jam's TEN Resissue In Stores Now
Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, is now available in four (4) new and expanded editions. You can order all four editions through the Ten Club at PearlJam.com or at your local retailer. Each Ten package will include two versions of the album: the remastered version of the original album PLUS an accompanying remixed version done by the band’s long-time producer, Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Audioslave). Details on specific extras for each of the four packages are:
1. Legacy Edition (2-disc set in mini-LP style slipcase):
* Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
* Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"
* Re-designed packaging
2. Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD specially designed hardbound package):
* Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
* Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"
* DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of "Oceans" with 5.1 surround sound audio remix
3. Vinyl Collection (2-LP set)
* LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl
* LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien
4. Super Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD, 4 LPs and replica cassette in linen-covered, slip-cased clamshell box):
* Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
* Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"
* DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of "Oceans" with 5.1 surround sound audio remix
* LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl
* LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien
* LP 3 & 4: Drop in the Park – Live at Magnuson Park in Seattle on September 20, 1992 (audio mixed by Brendan O’Brien)
* Cassette: replica of original "Momma-Son" Pearl Jam demo cassette featuring "Alive," "Once" and "Footsteps"
* Package also includes an Eddie Vedder-style composition notebook filled with replica personal notes, images and mementos from the collections of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament, a vellum envelope with replicated era-specific ephemera from Pearl Jam’s early work and a two-sided print commemorating the Drop in the Park concert.
Check out Billboard's Q&A with Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/feature/q-a-pearl-jam-s-jeff-ament-1003954760.story -
Mar 02, 02:06 PMPearl Jam Ten Game
Sony Music has found a truly unique way to let fans preview selected tracks from these reissues, The Pearl Jam Ten Game. Beginning March 2, fans can go to www.pearljamtengame.comand complete a puzzle to unlock various songs from the Ten reissues. With every row a user gets aligned, a new song is unlocked for them to hear. Upon completion of the entire puzzle, the user unlocks a special video piece detailing the history of this historic release. Users can time themselves completing the puzzle, and challenge their friends through the ‘share’ feature.
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Jan 16, 05:16 PMPearl Jam Announces The Reissue of Band's Debut Album, TEN
PEARL JAM ANNOUNCES THE REISSUE OF BAND’S DEBUT ALBUM, TEN:
FOUR SPECIAL EDITION PACKAGES IN STORES MARCH 24, 2009
TEN CLUB PRE-SALE OF SUPER DELUXE BOX SET BEGINS NOWAlbum extras include:
Remaster of original Ten album + remix by producer Brendan O’Brien •
DVD of previously unreleased 1992 Pearl Jam MTV Unplugged performance with 5.1 surround sound audio remix • LP of the band’s 1992 “Drop in the Park” concert • Replica of Pearl Jam three-song demo cassette with Eddie Vedder’s original vocal dubs • Recreation of Eddie Vedder composition notebook • Never before seen memorabilia • Bonus tracks and more.Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, will be reissued in four (4) new and expanded editions. Pre-orders of the Super Deluxe Edition begin today, through the Ten Club at PearlJam.com. All four editions will be available for purchase on March 24, 2009. The reissue of Ten serves as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band’s 20th anniversary in 2011.
Each Ten package will include two versions of the album: the remastered version of the original album PLUS an accompanying remixed version done by the band’s long-time producer, Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Audioslave). Details on specific extras for each of the four packages are listed below.
“The band loved the original mix of Ten, but were also interested in what it would sound like if I were to deconstruct and remix it,” says producer Brendan O’Brien. “The original Ten sound is what millions of people bought, dug and loved, so I was initially hesitant to mess around with that. After years of persistent nudging from the band, I was able to wrap my head around the idea of offering it as a companion piece to the original – giving a fresh take on it, a more direct sound.”
TEN RE-DESIGN
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, who served as the art director for the original Ten packaging, reprised his role for the reissues collaborating with designer, Andy Fischer, of Cameron Crowe’s Vinyl Films (Into the Wild soundtrack LP, Vanilla Sky soundtrack LP, Harold and Maude anniversary edition soundtrack LP)."The goal was to assemble the ultimate fan-piece,” explains Fischer. “Something Pearl Jam lovers could pore over as they experience an indelible record all over again, in an entirely new way."
“The original concept was about really being together as a group and entering into the world of music as a true band...a sort of all-for-one deal,” says Jeff Ament. “There were some elements of the original Ten artwork that didn't turn out the way we had hoped, due to time constraints. With this reissue, we’ve been able to take our time and invest resources into making the design the way we had originally intended.”
REPLICA OF PEARL JAM 3-SONG DEMO CASSETTE IN SUPER DELUXE EDITION
In the process of digging through his archives for this project, Ament came across an old cassette marked “Momma-Son” – the fabled original Pearl Jam demo tape featuring the first recorded versions of “Alive,” “Once” and “Footsteps.” Ament and guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready had recorded instrumental tracks of these songs to help solicit a singer for their newly formed band. Mutual friend - and then Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer - Jack Irons suggested they send the tape down to San Diego surfer and little-known singer Eddie Vedder.Completely inspired by what he heard from these musicians that he then only knew by name, Vedder quickly wrote lyrics, put these vocals to the music tracks and shipped the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing how Vedder had transformed the songs, Ament, Gossard and McCready asked him to come up to Seattle so they could meet and have an official “tryout” together. Shortly thereafter, Pearl Jam was born. (A replica of the “Momma-Son” cassette will be included in the Super Deluxe Edition of Ten.)
Jeff Ament describes the experience of re-visiting that tape with singer Eddie Vedder:
“I think the first time that Ed or I had opened any of those boxes was a few weeks ago. I knew that the original ‘Momma-Son’ cassette was somewhere, but I hadn’t listened to it in 17, 18, 19 years. It was cool to sit down and play it for the first time with Ed and see his reaction. And to find that 90% of it stayed exactly the same as what ended up on the record. A lot of elements were identical. There was some energy flying around at that point even from 1,300 miles away from Seattle to San Diego.”THE FOUR EDITIONS OF TEN: ALBUM EXTRAS PER PACKAGE
1. Legacy Edition (2-disc set in mini-LP style slipcase):
· Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
· Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”
· Re-designed packaging2. Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD specially designed hardbound package):
· Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
· Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”
· DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of “Oceans” with 5.1 surround sound audio remix3. Vinyl Collection (2-LP set)
· LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl
· LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien4. Super Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD, 4 LPs and replica cassette in linen-covered, slip-cased clamshell box):
· Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)
· Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O’Brien, plus six bonus tracks: “Brother,” “Just a Girl,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Breath and a Scream,” “2,000 Mile Blues” and “Evil Little Goat”
· DVD of Pearl Jam’s previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of “Oceans” with 5.1 surround sound audio remix
· LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl
· LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O’Brien
· LP 3 & 4: Drop in the Park – Live at Magnuson Park in Seattle on September 20, 1992 (audio mixed by Brendan O’Brien)
· Cassette: replica of original “Momma-Son” Pearl Jam demo cassette featuring “Alive,” “Once” and “Footsteps”
· Package also includes an Eddie Vedder-style composition notebook filled with replica personal notes, images and mementos from the collections of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament, a vellum envelope with replicated era-specific ephemera from Pearl Jam’s early work and a two-sided print commemorating the Drop in the Park concert. -
Nov 03 2008, 03:42 PMPearl Jam: Vote For Change? 2004 Tour Film Now OnlineWith the 2008 election hot on our tails, we thought it would be the perfect time to dig into our archives and "take a look back to take a look forward." In 2004, Pearl Jam was one of seventeen musicians who took part in the Vote for Change tour - caravanning through battle ground states to Get Out The Vote. An indie film crew made up of Jeff Ament's filmmaker/ skater friends (see sixstair.com) documented the experience. They captured portions of each of concerts, the crowds, on-the-street interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage leading up to Election Day 2004 - all in 8mm film.
Pearl Jam: Vote for Change? 2004 by Rick Charnoski and Coan Nichols will be released digitally and free of charge on the Pearl Jam website. View it online now:
http://www.pearljam.com/activism/vfc.php
A film synopsis by directors Rick Charnoski and Coan Nichols
In April of 2004 we were deep in the San Bernadino, CA skating a few of the dozens of pools left empty by the fires that swept through the area a few months earlier. Jeff Ament, bass player for Pearl Jam, had come along to take advantage of this opportunity. Jeff has been a fan of our skate films (Fruit of the Vine, Northwest, Tent City, etc.) for a few years and asked if we would be interested in doing something with Pearl Jam. He mentioned that they were planning a "Vote For Change" tour right before the election and maybe we could come along and make a film.
We worked it out and ended up in Seattle in the beginning of October 2004 in time to shoot some rehearsals and meet the other band members. We didn't really have much of a plan and we hadn't shot much live music before, but we figured we'd just wing it and see what we got. We brought a few Super 8 movie cameras, a video camera and loads of film and just started shooting.
We flew from Seattle to New York, then followed the tour in a van to Reading PA, Toledo OH, Grand Rapids MI, St Louis MO, Asheville NC and ended up in Kissimee FL. Along the way we met with and spoke to hundreds of fans and just ordinary people about voting, democracy and politics in general. We cut the interviews into the live performances from each city, along with a few exclusive interviews with each band member. It is the first rock and roll tour film that WE know of shot entirely in super 8mm film with an amazing sound track recorded live and mixed by Brett Eliason.
We got home and cut the film, but never showed it to anyone. The enthusiasm for the project dwindled due to the outcome of the election. Ironically, we feel like Bush's reelection may have made the film even more important/ valid and we think now is a great time to dig it out and remind people why it is so important to vote. We love this film, it's like nothing we have ever done before and we are stoked to finally have the chance to show it.
Coan Nichols/ Rick Charnoski- Six Stair
September 2008 -
Oct 20 2008, 02:17 PMBODY OF WAR released on DVD Oct 28th: Order Through PearlJam.comBODY OF WAR released on DVD Oct 28th: Order Through PearlJam.com
The acclaimed Phil Donahue/Ellen Spiro documentary, Body of War is set for DVD release on October 28th. Body of War tells the heart-wrenching tale of our friend and hero Tomas Young who was paralyzed from the chest down after serving in Iraq for just one week. Tomas is forced to deal with the realities of war each and every day. For Tomas, learning to cope with his disability meant finding his voice to speak out against the war in Iraq.
The Body of War DVD features special bonus content including the video created for Eddie Vedder's original song, "No More," which was penned for the film. 25% of the sale of each DVD sold through pearljam.com will benefit Tomas and his medical care directly. Pre-order here today: http://affiliates.docurama.com/jrox.php?id=10109_81
SYNOPSIS
Directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, the multi award-winning Body of War splits its time between Tomas's arduous daily reality in Kansas City, MO, and the legislative processes that led up to the invasion of Iraq in 2002. Senatorial speeches and a running tally of pro-war votes are interspliced with intimate footage of Tomas as he navigates through the acute physical and emotional impacts of his injury. A testament to the power of parallel images, the film adeptly juxtaposes the sanitized vantage point of Washington with raw personal experience. In the end, this contrast forces viewers to question the motives, methods, and ever-rising cost of the conflict in Iraq.
A deeply moving and bracingly honest film, Body of War narrates a story that must be heard - story of courage, conviction, and resistance.
"A heart-wrenching and yet deeply affirming story" - The New York Times
"Unforgettably intimate - Un-missable" - The Toronto Star
"Architecturally sound, emotionally ravaging... a ferocious film" - Washington Post
"Beautiful, heartbreaking and powerful ... has to be seen." - Kansas City Star
"Young represents an uncommon figure: a man thrust into the spotlight against his will,and adapting to serve something bigger than himself." - Los Angeles Times
WINNER Best Documentary National Board of Review:
NOMINEE Toronto International Film Festival: People's Choice Award
DVD FEATURES:
- Eddie Vedder Music Video "No More"
- MSNBC interview
- CSPAN coverage of the House and Senate debates
- Theatrical Trailer
- Deleted Scenes
- Filmmaker Biographies
For more information on Body of War, visit www.bodyofwar.comand www.bodyofwarmusic.com
Pre-order: http://affiliates.docurama.com/jrox.php?id=10109_81 -
Oct 02 2008, 11:33 AMStone Gossard's "Both Live" Available NowStone Gossard has released this weeks exclusive song, "Both Live", at http://www.pearljam.com/stonegossardalong with a new video of his live cover of Prince's "1999". This new track is available alongside previously released live and studio tracks of Stone Gossard's new songs, "Your Flames" and "Little One." Check back next week for more.
And be sure to catch Stone Gossard on the road with The Hank Khoir and Vince Mira at Timberland's DIG IT series of eco-themed concerts in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Get the details at http://www.pearljam.com/stonegossard -
Sep 24 2008, 12:39 PMNew Stone Gossard Music and concert presale at pearljam.com
Vince Mira, Stone Gossard and the Hank Khoir are set to kick-off Timberland's DIG IT with a series of eco-themed concerts in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Now is your chance to purchase a pair of tickets to this eco-conscious event!
A limited number of Ten Club tickets are available now for purchase for current 10c members only at tenclub.net for $40 per pair. Tickets will be sold in pairs only with NO refunds or exchanges. Tickets will be held at Will Call for pick-up the night of the show and photo ID is required.
Proceeds from the sale of these tickets go to Conservation International whose mission is to conserve the Earth's living heritage, global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature. All other tickets to these intimate concerts will be given out to volunteers who are participating in Timberland's DIG IT daytime tree planting and re-greening events.
Date City Venue Re-Greening Partner
10/1/08 Boston Wilbur Theatre Earthworks
10/4/08 New York Warsaw Theatre New York Restoration Project
10/11/08 Los Angeles Avalon Theatre North East Trees
10/18/08 San Francisco Grand Ballroom Friends of the Urban Forest
For more information on DIG IT, please visit www.earthkeeper.com and for Vince Mira visit. www.vincemira.com.
Be sure to check-out Stone Gossard and the Hank Khoir's New Video and Song, "Little One" Available Now at www.pearljam.com/stonegossard
Stone Gossard and the Hank Khoir's new live video and audio track of "Little One" is available now. This new track is available alongside previously released live and studio tracks of Stone' Gossard's new song, "Your Flames." Be sure to check back next week, October 1st for more. -
Sep 22 2008, 12:08 PMEddie Vedder's Song For The Cubs Available at pearljam.com
At the request of Ernie Banks, Eddie threw together a song for the Cubs ("All the Way"). He got a pretty good live version of it at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago this August. It's now being played on Chicago radio and at the Bleacher Bars around Wrigleyville. We have decided to make the song available for download - you can get it here. There's a chance we'll also make available some hard copy CDs and we're looking into souvenir 45 singles, as well. Check back here for the latest.
Go, Cubs, go!
