Today, Pearl Jam is one of the most notable and beloved rock bands in the world. Over the course of nearly three decades of relentless touring and prolific studio output, the band has earned themselves a die-hard worldwide following. The most impassioned Pearl Jam fans know that the essence of the band can only truly be gleaned from their famously electric live shows, known to consistently push past three hours of grunge-rock mastery.

But on this day in 1990, Pearl Jam wasn’t a worldwide sensation. On this day in 1990, Pearl Jam wasn’t even “Pearl Jam” yet. It was an upstart grunge band called Mookie Blaylock, getting ready to play its first-ever live show at the Off Ramp Cafe, a 300-ish capacity Seattle club, where the band would share the bill with Inspector Luv and the Ride Me Babies (who later became Green Apple Quickstep), and a band called Bathtub Gin.

The band would deliver a heavily distorted, energetically raw, and impassioned set to an audience said to have included members of Soundgarden (with whom several PJ members had collaborated for Temple of the Dog) and Hall of Fame Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson. In addition to encore “Just A Girl”, which was played just one more time after that in the band’s history, the set featured several of the songs that would end up on PJ’s lauded debut album, Ten, the following year. By the time Ten was released, the band had officially dropped its original moniker (a nod to then-active basketball player Mookie Blaylock) and gone with “Pearl Jam,” the household name now known by millions.

As vocalist Eddie Vedder recalled during an October 22nd concert back in 2014, “ it was our first gig. We’re proud of that. We’re proud to still be together. We’re proud to be in a long relationship.” We’re glad you all are still together too, EV!

Below, watch footage of Mookie Blaylock’s (a.k.a. Pearl Jam’s) fateful first show at The Off Ramp Cafe in Seattle, and scroll down for a full setlist.

Mookie Blaylock (Pearl Jam) – The Off Ramp Cafe – 10/22/1990

[Video: PearlJamOnline]

Setlist: Mookie Blaylock | Off Ramp Cafe | Seattle, WA | 10/22/90 

Soundcheck: Even Flow

Set: Release, Alone, Alive, Once, Even Flow, Black, Breath

Encore: Just A Girl

NOTES: ‘Even Flow’ is a very unusual, slow version. In fact, most of these songs sound very different and are slower versions, with ‘Release,’ ‘Once’ and ‘Black’ sporting different/early lyrics.

[Originally published 10/22/20]