Red Hot Chilli Peppers vs Pearl Jam

[Dyl-Dawg]

My teacher and friend are fighting about wich band is better and more popular, i need your insight to help prove Pearl Jam is better! (or red hot chilli peppers watever u prefer)

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Um...what? You can't prove this one way or the other. It's a matter of taste, not something that boils down to numbers.

As to which is more popular...I guess you could try to track down their respective number of top 40 hits, the placement of those hits, and the total amount of albums/songs sold, but even that won't be anything but a rough approximation of the current state of affairs for each band.

Long story short, this is basically a pointless argument that has no support in either direction.

[The J Pizzel]

Um...what? You can't prove this one way or the other. It's a matter of taste, not something that boils down to numbers.

As to which is more popular...I guess you could try to track down their respective number of top 40 hits, the placement of those hits, and the total amount of albums/songs sold, but even that won't be anything but a rough approximation of the current state of affairs for each band.

Long story short, this is basically a pointless argument that has no support in either direction.

This is the internet, nothing is a pointless argument!!! Nah, I kid. You're absolutely right.

However, my opinion is thus..
I would rather listen to Pearl Jam than RHCP any day of the week. However, Chili Peppers do have some outstanding songs that I love. One of my favorites is a non-hit called Tear. Beautiful song.

Anywho, it's a very close descision for me to make personnally, but I'd just barely give the upper hand to Pearl Jam as for which I like better. Now, that being said, I have to say that I think the members of Chili Peppers are more talented compared to the members of PJ.

[icastflare!]

Its an opinion thing. I personally like Pearl jam while some people like RHCP. Unless you brain wash them, there is near no way you can sway their opinion.

[LCR]

Default win for Oasis. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-s0mjaHXQ&feature=related) Sorry, Americans!

[raitalin]

Default win for Oasis. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-s0mjaHXQ&feature=related) Sorry, Americans!

Ug, don't bring up Oasis, most Americans gave up on them when they revealed themselves to be collossal jackasses.

I think Pearl Jam slightly edges out RHCP in total sales, but not by a lot and RHCP's music is a bit more eclectic.

As far as influence goes, I'd call it a push. Pearl jam has probably influnced more bands, but RHCP has probably influenced more innovative ones.

All in all, too close to call.

[Don Julio Anejo]

Eh, Tiesto beats both.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Eh, Tiesto beats both.

Was about to post that RHCP beats Pearl Jam any time, especially when they were funkier, not all power-ballad-y, but yeah, this. :smallsigh:

[poisonoustea]

i need your insight to help prove Pearl Jam is better!
Why would you need proof for that? :smallbiggrin:

[Dyl-Dawg]

Yeah ik its an opinionated question, tht was the whole point i was trying to see if more people supported one over the other and soo far pearl jam is at the top, keep posting i would like to hear more!

[JonestheSpy]

Pearl jam has probably influnced more bands


Can't help pointing out that Pearl Jam is itself incredibly derivative of Nirvana and the other earlier bands coming out of the Seattle grunge scene, so it's rather hard to gauge their "influence". Lot's of Pearl Jammy bands would have probably ended up sounding the same even if Eddie Vedder had never picked up a microphone.

As for popularity, if someone really cares they should be able to find album sales data without too much trouble.

[Faceist]

Default win for Oasis. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-s0mjaHXQ&feature=related) Sorry, Americans!
God they suck so bad I just wanna drown 'em.

Anyway, out of all the bands from that early 90's grungey movement, Smashing Pumpkins ftw :smalltongue: (apart from Nirvana, obviously!)

[Raistlin1040]

Alice in Chains.

But for the debate itself, I'd say RHCP. I'm from Seattle, and I can honestly say that I do not like most grunge music. AIC being the exception.

[Superglucose]

I would say that RHCP is more popular right now. That being said, they're so different... Pearl Jam is more for when I need to rock out, and RHCP is so mellow. like right now? I'm in a RHCP mood. Tomorrow? I'll blast Even Flow so loud my neighbors would complain if everyone didn't love that song to death.

[Moff Chumley]

Primus.

Primus Primus Primus Primus.


Um...what? You can't prove this one way or the other. It's a matter of taste, not something that boils down to numbers.

As to which is more popular...I guess you could try to track down their respective number of top 40 hits, the placement of those hits, and the total amount of albums/songs sold, but even that won't be anything but a rough approximation of the current state of affairs for each band.

Long story short, this is basically a pointless argument that has no support in either direction.

You boring.

[Rutskarn]

RCHP have produced many fine songs, and if I ever hear any of them ever again, my eardrums are going to pitch themselves out and fall to a splattered, gory death.

"Popular," is a way to put it. "Overplayed"; yes, that's another.

I gotta be honest, I couldn't even name one Pearl Jam song. I've probably heard one, I just couldn't name one.

[ForzaFiori]

RHCP is most likely the current winner in a popularity contest. Pearl Jam, like most grunge, has started falling to the side (that's what happens when almost every lead singer in a genre kills their self). If you compare total good songs (in my opinion) they're about even. However, Pearl Jam has held the record for fastest selling album (VS, in 1993) something RHCP has never done, and according to Wikipedia, Pearl Jam has sold about 10 million more albums than RHCP, in spite of the fact that RHCP has been around 7 years longer (RHCP started in 1983, PJ in 1990). PJ has an album (Ten) that has gone 13x Platinum in the US alone, and it is the best selling Grunge Album in the US ever. RHCP has neither of these.

Therefor, I would have to say that overall, based on worldwide opinion, PJ is probably the "better" band. However, I personally like funk slightly more than grunge, so my personal vote goes to RHCP, but just barely.

[Nameless]

RHCP are one of those bands you can’t not like. They’re just a good standard sort of band, but they do it very well. So yeah, I prefer the Chilli’s.

Also, shouldn't this be in the Media section?

[JonestheSpy]

Therefor, I would have to say that overall, based on worldwide opinion, PJ is probably the "more popular" band.

Fixed that for you.

Just to put it in perspective, Jimi Hendrix had only a single song that made it into the top 40. Celine Dion has had nine or ten.

[skywalker]

I would say that RHCP is more popular right now. That being said, they're so different... Pearl Jam is more for when I need to rock out, and RHCP is so mellow. like right now? I'm in a RHCP mood. Tomorrow? I'll blast Even Flow so loud my neighbors would complain if everyone didn't love that song to death.

You need (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt82JZT1c6A) to look into (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO8uxnz-an8) music made (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjesJ6lop_o) before (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8pAYLJa6do) your birth. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gs2o5T7oN8) I'd wager you've never heard any of that (Well, maybe the song off Blood Sugar), which is understandable, since Flea has a kid older than you (if I remember your age correctly).

In my opinion? Chili Peppers are better. More talented, you can actually understand what Anthony is singing, and Flea is one of the best bassists alive. They also gave Pearl Jam their shot at the big time, choosing them to open their '91 tour. Also a more unique musical style, I hear a song on the radio and I know it's the Red Hots. I hear songs on the radio and know it's Pearl Jam too, but that's because I can't understand a word Eddie says, not because of any particular musical uniqueness.

[Moff Chumley]

CORRECTION: Flea is one of the better white bassists of all time. He's behind Les Claypool, Jaco, Tony Levin, and possibly Geddy Lee. But then you factor in Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, et cetera, and he's not even in the top ten.

And I know I left about thirty people off that second list. That's what "et cetera" is for. :smalltongue:


RHCP are one of those bands you can’t not like. They’re just a good standard sort of band, but they do it very well. So yeah, I prefer the Chilli’s.

Exactly.

[_Zoot_]

Wow, the first thing I thought when I read the title of this thread was:

"As much as I'm not a fan of really hot food, I'd take the peppers because I really don't want to know what jam made out of pearls would taste like".

[wojonatior]

I would totally have to vote for Chilli peppers.

First off, even though it has been mentioned, Pearl jam's lyrics consist of "mumble mumble mumble!"

Next, RHCP is one of those bands that you can listen to no matter the mood. Ex: I generally will skip songs on my ipod until I get to a song that I feel like listening to, but I don't think I have ever skipped a skipped a RHCP song.

Finally, I have known RCHP since I was a wee boy, I only really learned of the existence of pearl jam in the last year.

P.S. RCHP has some totally awesome funk bass.

P.P.S.And you should have put this up as a poll if you REALLY wanted info.:smalltongue:

[Orzel]

As a crappy yet funky bass player, my vote is void due to obvious bias.

[Fuzzie Fuzz]

I love Pearl Jam, but the fact that I know Matt Cameron and that they're from my lovely hometown of Seattle might have something to do with that.

Also, Ten is one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

Name dropping? No, I would never do such a thing...

[poisonoustea]

Flea is one of the better white bassists of all time. He's behind Les Claypool, Jaco, Tony Levin, and possibly Geddy Lee.
Well, he's also way behind Mark King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKI8pFqWm0s), John Patitucci, Sean Malone, Jannik Top, Gary Willis, Stuart Zender... just from the top of my head.

What Flea is really awesome at is sound. He's got probably the funkiest bass tone ever (in rock music. If you're counting funk in, Larry Graham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IuD6F3R5I) is still hands down on top of the list, on par with Bernard Edwards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo&a=IGqRYD7kyQY) and followed by another thousand people or so :smallbiggrin:)


Also a more unique musical style, I hear a song on the radio and I know it's the Red Hots.
That also happens with Pearl Jam. Vedder's voice is simply unique.

Pearl Jam can actually give some emotion. RHCP simply gave me something to nod at (at the times of BSSM and such).

[thubby]

compare record sales, or Itunes sales. is a fair way to get a grasp of who is more popular at least.

[Deca]

I don't think looking at record sales is the right way to go.


Fixed that for you.

Just to put it in perspective, Jimi Hendrix had only a single song that made it into the top 40. Celine Dion has had nine or ten.

Agreed. Popularity hardly equals quality. I mean, if getting into Top Tens and getting awards meant you were a good band, then that would imply that Nickelback is a good band. Personally, I like Nickelback. I'm just aware that a bunch of people hate them so I figured it was a good example.

[snoopy13a]

Pearl Jam might be the only band in history to un-sell out :smalltongue:

In the early 90s, after the release of Ten, they were the most popular band in the country (Nirvana was popular but mostly among the grungers, Pearl Jam became popular among everyone). They stayed popular for a few years. However, they stopped making music videos for MTV and they got into a fight with Ticketmaster over ticket prices for their shows (Pearl Jam thought Ticketmaster was overcharging) which resulted in them playing 4th tier venues for a year or so.

After Vitology, they have mainly stayed out of the mainstream spotlight (with the notable exception of their Last Kiss cover). Oddly, they have gone from a band that others in the Seattle scene (like Kurt Cobain) accused of being sell-outs to a niche, almost indy-type band.

[Tyrandar]

RHCP has the cooler name. Pearl Jam makes me think of something you get between your toes. :smallyuk:

[Reinboom]

RHCP has the cooler name. Pearl Jam makes me think of something you get between your toes. :smallyuk:

"Small Yuk"? Oh no, that deserves a big yuk. Pearl jam between the toes is just disgusting.
:yuk:

http://pifro.com/tempmove/pearljam.png

[skywalker]

What Flea is really awesome at is sound. He's got probably the funkiest bass tone ever (in rock music. If you're counting funk in, Larry Graham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IuD6F3R5I) is still hands down on top of the list, on par with Bernard Edwards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo&a=IGqRYD7kyQY) and followed by another thousand people or so :smallbiggrin:)

Best style imo. Very hybrid style, can sound a lot of different ways. No, not the most technically proficient bassist ever, but if you've been in more than one music thread with me you know I don't care about that sort of thing after a point. It's like saying "there are a 100 guitarists better than Eric Clapton." That's technically true, but in reality, who gives a sod? Anyway, that's beside the point. He's a really great bassist, and he's been combined with one of the best drummers (they said at one point Frusciante and Flea got into an argument about whether a song sounded better at 120 or 121 bpm, and Chad was able to instantaneously create the difference so they could see). I think the two of them really feed the other and they create a lot better stuff than they could if they were on their own or with lesser talent.


That also happens with Pearl Jam. Vedder's voice is simply unique.

That was precisely my point. I recognize Pearl Jam because I can't understand a word Eddie is saying. I've listened to "Jeremy" and "Yellow Ledbetter" about a hundred times, I still can't pick up more than three or four words.


Pearl Jam can actually give some emotion. RHCP simply gave me something to nod at (at the times of BSSM and such).

Chilis are much better at this now. So far, we've had criticism of the band for being both too mellow, and not emotional enough. If you take the entire body of work as a whole, I think you see an evolution in style towards a more mature way of being. But they still rock pretty hard, you just have to see them live.*

*Disclaimer: Don't ever see the Chili Peppers live. Upon hearing Anthony's actual voice, you will never be able to get over the crushing feeling of depression you will inevitably suffer from.

[Moff Chumley]

Well, he's also way behind Mark King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKI8pFqWm0s), John Patitucci, Sean Malone, Jannik Top, Gary Willis, Stuart Zender... just from the top of my head.

What Flea is really awesome at is sound. He's got probably the funkiest bass tone ever (in rock music. If you're counting funk in, Larry Graham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IuD6F3R5I) is still hands down on top of the list, on par with Bernard Edwards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo&a=IGqRYD7kyQY) and followed by another thousand people or so :smallbiggrin:)

To me, sound is as important, if not more, as the notes, which I kinda factored in to the above list... and a lot of those guys have technical skill and not all that much else. My opinion, obviously, but there ya go.

And I did mention Larry. :smalltongue:

[poisonoustea]

And I did mention Larry.
I know... I just couldn't resist linking that song :smalltongue:

I think the "damn you're fast, but where's the music?" argument is subjective. In example, I don't like Wooten 'cause he feels like he's paying more attention to how fast he's going than how beautiful it sounds. I don't like how he performs, his approach to the instrument. I recognize some his recordings to be totally awesome, but still I don't like him as a musician. Yet other people might think the same about Patitucci, and so on.

I mentioned the bassists I actually like for their music, and not (only) for their ability on the instrument, which obviously biases me since I'm a bassist, too.
I think it kinda comes natural when you're drawing comparisons between musicians. Technical skills are, after all, one of the two key elements (the other being good taste) in music. And good taste is really too subjective to discuss about seriously. Lars K. Norberg is an AWESOME bassist in my opinion, and he plays Death/Black metal... you know what I mean :smallwink:

[Gaelbert]

Primus.

Primus Primus Primus Primus.


Primus sucks!
:smallwink:

[poisonoustea]

That was precisely my point. I recognize Pearl Jam because I can't understand a word Eddie is saying. I've listened to "Jeremy" and "Yellow Ledbetter" about a hundred times, I still can't pick up more than three or four words.
Oh, cmon, that's a detail. After all, who doesn't like Sting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drm3kTpks7Q&feature=related4)?

[JonestheSpy]

After all, who doesn't like Sting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drm3kTpks7Q&feature=related4)?

Only a pool hall ace...