Their music is still alive and well after all these years, and it turns out Pearl Jam has also spawned an outpouring of art. Fans can get their first look at a new collection of it starting Friday night in Tacoma.
For over a decade, whenever Pearl Jam toured, two Seattle artists known as Ames Bros. created unique posters to promote them. When David Domkoski with the Tacoma Public Library saw a book of the Pearl Jam art, he thought it should be put on display. Starting tonight, it will be.
"They (the posters) represent a time and a place and a very strong artistic point of view, and I said wow, people should see these whether they're Pearl Jam fans or not." Domkoski said.
The exhibit features over 80 limited edition, silk screened tour posters that struck Domkoski for their uniqueness, "Some of the posters look like they're from comic book covers, others are very reminiscent of posters that came out of the 1940's, some pay homage to famous artists, some pick up the wonderful depth of they lyrics in Pearl Jam songs."
The Ames Bros art is as famous in some circles as Pearl Jam's music. It even got a Grammy nomination for the package design of the Yield album. And thanks to the Tacoma Public Library, you can see it up close. Even better, it's free. _____________________________________
Meet Pearl Jam’s poster pair ERNEST A. JASMIN; ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com Published: December 7th, 2008 12:08 AM | Updated: December 7th, 2008 01:31 AM
Pearl Jam provides the sounds, and the Ames Bros give us the imagery. If you’re a diehard Pearl Jam fan, you know Ames Bros as the Seattle artists who design all of the band’s tour posters, several dozen of which will be on display at the Tacoma Public Library from Thursday through Jan. 31.
During the opening reception Thursday, the Ames Bros – Coby Schultz and Barry Ament, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament’s younger brother – will be on hand to sign copies of their book “Pearl Jam vs. Ames Bros: 13 Years of Tour Posters.” So we caught up with them recently to talk about their highly collectible art.
How did you guys first hook up, and how did you get into rock posters?
Schultz: We met in college, actually. We’re both from Montana, and we went to college at Montana State. We met in a drawing class or a painting class – painting 101 or something like that. So that’s how we met, became friends and went to graphic design school together. Eventually, we migrated out here and started the company together.
Obviously, you’ve got the connection with Jeff. But how did the whole thing with Pearl Jam get started?
Ament: Actually, I was working in-house with Pearl Jam, and Coby was working at another company in Seattle. There were just a lot of people in town doing rock posters; you know, Art Chantry, Jeff Kleinsmith, Hank Trotter. Actually, Coby was doing some posters around town. The first projects that we worked on together were for little clubs around town, doin’ posters.
Are there artists that inspired you as you got started?
Schultz: I’d say my biggest inspiration was old-school designers. And I couldn’t even say who a lot of ’em were, because it was just stuff from old ads or illustrations. I’d say Ben Shahn for sure. … Jim Flora. It’s just all over the place.
You’ve come up with hundreds of striking images for some of Pearl Jam’s tours over the years. How do you collaborate with the band?
Ament: A lot of the times we’re designing them when they’re out on the road. Really, it’s just a green light from them to do it.
Schultz: There’s a mutual understanding between us and the band, and I think there’s a lot of trust. We pay attention to their music, and we pay attention to what they like and what they’re into. Luckily, a lot of that is the same stuff that we’re into. It’s a pretty good natural blend. (There won’t) be blood and guts and (buxom) girls on a Pearl Jam poster.
A few posters get mentioned as being highly collectible and sought after by fans. Can you point to a few you’re especially proud of?
Schultz: Our favorites don’t usually get the love that we’d hope. (Chuckles) It’s funny that way … where you do something that you think is the greatest thing and might not be really well-received. Once in a while it all comes together.
Ament: I think the collectible stuff is the old stuff. I like stuff that we just did that isn’t in the book, is gonna be in the next book. I always look at our newer stuff as (being) better. … And I think we just keep evolving.
So you’re working on a new book?
Ament: Well, you know, we’re 10 posters in on the new book. It might be another 10 years.
So you’re just thinking in general terms.
Ament: Yeah, we’re workin’ on it, man. It’s in the making.
Schultz: And the band is down with that plan, too.
Is it a different outlet to do the posters?
Ament: Maybe the trade for not making a lot of money doin’ it is just to have a little more freedom. When we’re working on something for Converse, there’s gonna be a lot of fingers in the pie, people to please; and rightfully so when we’re working for big clients like that. Posters, where they’re just one poster for one night, and if it’s a disaster we can move on to the next night. It just allows a lot more freedom. There’s not as much pressure on success.
What: Barry Ament and Coby Schultz signing “Pearl Jam vs. Ames Bros: 13 Years of Tour Posters”
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
