Read this: The 30 stages of Pearl Jam’s evolution
When asked if that moment still lays ahead for the band, Stone nods, "I hope so. It’s not going to be OK Computer, obviously, but a moment where we stumble onto something that is significantly different. That prospect always intrigues me. I’d like to make another record that really shocks people – that makes them go, 'Wow, that’s unexpected!'"
Despite Pearl Jam generally avoiding press and interviews, frontman Eddie Vedder explained of Gigaton's creative process back in April that getting together the tracklist was similar to how he makes a setlist.
"We still make records to be listened to – not that everyone will listen to a record track one to 12 in a row or side A or Side B – but we still make ’em in case somebody does want to listen to it like that," Eddie said.
"In a way, it’s also like a live show: we put the songs together in a way that have a flow and an energy, the one song passes the torch to the next. Really I think a lot of comes back to keeping score when I was a little kid in baseball games… Obviously, I wasn’t good at math and didn’t go to school for accounting, but what I did do was stare at the scoreboard at Wrigley Field and I think that really helped me."
Stone's new project Painted Shield’s self-titled debut album is out November 27 via Loosegroove Records. Get your tickets for Pearl Jam’s two massive nights at American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London with special guests Pixies (July 9) and IDLES (July 10) right here. Payment plans are available from only £17 per month.