It's really comforting for me and Jeff, at least, that after 12 years we finally feel we've reached a place where we can be more honest, real and loving with each other. And we're finally in a band that we know is good, and deserves the credit it's getting.

I think I have my own sort of distinctive swing, for sure. I think that's something that comes really natural to me, to push against the beat and kind of explore a triplet feel behind everything just to see what that feels like.

I've always related music to those moments when someone turns you loose on something and they haven't told you how to do it.

Every year is filled with good times and fights and struggles and misunderstandings. All of it adds up to being in a band over a long time.

Call it holistic or holographic thinking, it's been quite effective imagining the world's problems are all right in front of you on a smaller scale with your band. You deal with those relationships, and that's where real major change begins.

I picked up a guitar, and I knew what I wanted to do.

We may take breaks and do other things, but we feel we'll ultimately have Pearl Jam as a family.