Tom Lynch

Through ridiculous circumstances I found myself in the front row of a Pearl Jam show at the United Center, maybe seven or eight years ago. I was already to the max with star-struck enthusiasm--PJ was my favorite band, like, forever--and Eddie Vedder had already jumped down off the stage to shake my hand and give me a guitar pick.

Then there was a familiar face to my right. I could almost place it. It was that Jeremy guy--no pun on the Pearl Jam thing. That actor. That dude from Chicago. Pervin? Pelvin? I didn't know. Give me a break, I was still in high school. Then I got it: Piven. Keep in mind, this was well before "Entourage," so he was hardly a household name--he was that guy from the Cusack movies. Now that I think about it, this was probably around the time he was on the "Ellen" sitcom. Problem was, I didn't know how to pronounce his name, yet I felt obligated to say something to him, a feeling of "What the hell, I'm in the front row of a Pearl Jam concert, I should rub shoulders with celebrities, because I'm really cool, because I'm here too and I'm only 17."

So I went in for the kill during the encore, after McCready ripped through the "Alive" solo. "Hey man," I said to Piven, "is your name Jeremy?"

He looked disturbed. "Uh-huh."

"I really loved `PCU,'" I said extending my hand to his. He obliged.

"Thanks man! It's one of my favorites."

And that was it. Pearl Jam hit the stage again and I kind of forgot all about Jeremy Piven. I've never since had any celeb encounters like the ones I had when I was seventeen. Jesus, does anyone?

(2006-02-28)

Also by Tom Lynch

Tip of the Week
Unlike the last couple of Mogwai records, the band dives headfirst into loud breaking-rock territory, back to its roots, and results in a record to match its notoriously energetic and deafening live show
(2006-02-21)

Soundcheck
The first word that comes to mind when attempting to describe local band Maps & Atlases: complicated
(2006-02-21)

Tip of the Week
Three of the top youngsters of the graphic-novel world are together at Quimby's this Saturday night, brought to you by Drawn and Quarterly, Fantagraphics and the Center for Cartoon Studies
(2006-02-21)

Tip of the Week
Two of the literary world's heavyweights--and one Chicago can claim as its own--hit the Abbey Pub stage together as part of Nextbook's growing and impressive reading series
(2006-02-14)

Stars light, Stars bright
(2006-02-14)

Pucker Up
(2006-02-14)

Tip of the Week
(2006-02-07)

Tip of the Week
(2006-02-07)

Soundcheck
(2006-01-31)

Tip of the Week
(2006-01-31)

Motherly Love
(2006-01-24)

Misery Loves Company
(2006-01-17)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment