Hard choice between Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. But I voted for PJ because they had more longevity, despite egos, hard drug addiction and whatnot they kept it together, unlike the Pumpkins. Also, I think from 2000-2003 they were one of the best live bands ever. When they were tight and locked in its hard to think of anyone that compares.
I saw the Pumpkins on the Zeitgeist tour and Billy was -blam!-ing unbelievable but it didn't seem like The Smashing Pumpkins.
And Pearl Jam treats their fans really well. What other band would take Ticket Master to Congress? Plus they do they so much that goes unreported like a year or two ago they built 1 skate park a month for a year in poor areas around the country and give a lot of money themselves.
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You're 100% on point, it's hard not to look at Pearl Jam and be totally blown away with their ability and their staying power. Plus they've managed to stay socially significant to some degree. For my money though Gish, Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and Pisces Iscariot are as good as it gets. But ever since Jimmy Chamberlin left the only holdover from the band is Billy now so it's hard to even consider them the Pumpkins anymore, even though they're playing Pumpkins songs. If they ever actually all got together and toured I'd shit my pants.