This whole idea is speculation, we obviously can't know for sure...but personally, i think the band are happier now than they ever have been.

I think the only other time that would rival it is the early 90's when they were on the brink of becoming big. Here's a (very very) breif summary of the timeline of the band, whereby we can measure and guestimate how much the band were smiling at the time...

93/94 seemed tough for the band with pressures of fame etc...
95/96 saw an improvement with the introduction of Jack, but communication between the band was questionable - other members started other projects, and Ed was writing the majority of material.
97/98/99 seemed like a good time for the band, Yield saw a 'return to form' at least from a critic's perspective, and the music was fresh, collaborative and more representational of a band. The band also seemd to have solidified all of their fanbase by this time too, and were in the position where they could do things their own way. The only major hiccup was Jack Irons' departure, which would have maybe knocked the stability of the band, but, through the arrival of Matt Cameron, the band began to develop in just as much comfort.
2000/01/02 Here the band seemed to be at a mature age, and with Yield they'd eased off the pressure of the critics. Binaural was not a huge success however, and also saw different approach to writing (one that continued onto Riot Act) where members would bring their songs to the band in a more finished state, as opposedto collaborating (the approach brought forward to Avocado). So the band may have been happy, but the songwriting process at this time may not have been entirely healthy. Also, Roskilde in 2000 presented a huge hurdle for the band to leap.
2003/04/05 The 2003 tour was a big success, VFC went okay (obviously wasn't as effective as planned), and 05 saw a tour of South America (with really amazing crowds). The band were free from Sony, and therefore at a point where they could make their own decisions more so than ever. This period was the stepping stone to where the band are today...
2006/07 Avocado...the bands most collaborative effort in years, a critical success (more or less) and a world tour. I've been trying to avoid personal factors, for privacy's sake...but in the last couple of years we've seen the band settle down at home, with children, and given their age now - the band seem beyond the days of bickering and 'having to get along' and are now at a point where they really seem to enjoy themselves (this was a process they'd been going through since the arrival of Matt i'm inclined to think). The recent (and ongoing) Europe tour has proved this to me - the band playing shows and festivals where they please (Ed says this tour was planned completely around the band), the band mixing up the setlists arguably more than ever (and also realising they don't have to play most of the latest album at every show - something they were guilty of with Binaural/Riot Act), and the crowds seeming to be of an age where the relationship they have with the band is as strong as ever - something proven by the dedication of fans travelling to countless shows over the last few years.


I understand it's easy to pick apart a lot of those comments, and i was being really basic - but these were just the thoughts i had that led me to thinking that the band are at a happier, more comfortable stage than they've ever been at.

What are your thoughts?

Wanna know why the band is so happy?

Haha, i'm pretty sure they could have lived off the royalties of Ten/Vs and retired in 94, but something tells me they weren't very happy chappies back then (as a band compared to the position they are in now as a band).

This also makes 10c happy!

I can see where you're coming from and I'm pretty sure it's not all about the dough...

In an interview from about a year ago, when Avocado was released, I read that (according to Ed) the guys were all in a great state of mind and "Mike is in better shape than ever before"...
Makes me glad that they seem to be happy just doing what they do.

I agree 100%...and I don't think that the personal factors that have been made public can be ignored either....the Ticketmaster battle, Mike's drug and health problems and Ed's divorce clouded the time periods that they were going through that stuff. And now, with Tmaster well behind them and Mike turning his private health problems into public solutions and Ed being as settled as one can be at home, as well as Stone having a kid...it would seem to be easy for them to focus on the music and enjoying it without any black clouds hanging over them. Good observations.

If Ed is happy, then the band is happy. If Ed is not, then the band is not. I really don't think it's that hard to figure out. Ed's temperament dictates the band's temperament.

im not so sure about that. we really dont know enough about the personal lives of the band to assume that...sure, ed is the lead singer and spokesperson for the group, but who knows...maybe Matt is a total asshole who's mood swings dictate the temprament of the band. just because ed is the public focal point, and the one member the general public recognizes, that doesnt mean he calls all the shots.

What i love most about the band now, especially the live shows, they are more celabratory rather than trying to prove something, or try and be something their not (punk band and trying to be badasses). The songs are bigger, the fans and band are happier, and everyone is there to celebrate a fucking kickass career that still moves forward. good times.

this is true--there was defintiely a celebratory quality to the past few tours. I'm not sure if I like it as much as having something to prove, but it makes the shows a joy to attend

Well they have nothing to prove anymore. If a critic hates them, they hate them. If a critic loves them, that passion will only grow after seeing them live. And as for new fans? it seems they are won over if they see them live. So I think they do more by not trying to prove anything. The music isnt forced, the attitude isnt forced, it is what it is.

I agree with this all the way. Nicely put.