This Song Is for Eddie

I think the lyrics speak for themselves — hopefully they always do.

But first, the scene I’ll never forget:
2009. Vancouver. Afternoon before the Pearl Jam show.
My son Ben — baby in a stroller — and I were standing outside Rogers Arena, right by the loading dock where the band would arrive for soundcheck. No backstage pass, no plan, just a little hope.
And then it happened — Eddie’s bodyguard Jesse walked over, handed us some signed merch, and gave my son a guitar pick, saying:
“Eddie says, this is for your little guy.”

Well — that little guy just turned 18 and graduated.
And now he’s a drummer in a band he started with a friend.

 I guess this is me saying thanks again — but this time, in a song.

The wild part? I went looking for photos from that day and couldn’t find them. Then I randomly googled my old blog — Can’t Find a Vedder Man — and somehow, it was still there. I hadn’t looked at it in years. I didn’t even know it still existed.

I didn’t set out to write songs for my heroes. Goodnight Gord just kind of happened — I was crying, watching the doc, remembering the first time I saw The Hip. That one hit me straight in the chest. The song came out fast, no plan, just feeling.

Eddie came later. It was more intentional, but in a way it was also sparked by the Gord song. A reminder to say thanks now, not later. While people are still here to hear it. It’s not a tribute, it’s a thank you in song. From an unknown songwriter who’s still doing the thing.

In the lyrics, I also nod to a few others who’ve inspired me — Jack Kerouac, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, and yes, Gord Downie again. They've all shaped the way I think, write, and feel.
This song is for Eddie, but they’re in there too.

 📖 Original blog post: https://chicodaily.blogspot.com/2009/09/cant-find-vedder-man.html

Phunk & Wangles is the songwriting and recording project from J.Phunk and D.Wangles. After separate ancestry searches the two found out they were distantly related. During the wildfire summer of 2021 the two finally met and found out their connection ran deeper than family. The wordsmith song junkie and the music savant started writing songs together immediately. The chemistry was instantaneous and the process was too much fun to stop. A family visit over some sushi brought the two together leading to long talks about the pandemic, music and fleeing fires. The creative spark was lit!

Phunk and Wangles is the creation of D. Wangles - Doug Elliott (The Odds/Strippers Union/Bander) from Vancouver and J. Phunk - Joseph Pinheiro (phreeagent) from Coldstream.

Keys. Guitar. Ramblings. Lyrics / J.Phunk
Vocals. Keys. Bass. Noise. Lyrics. / D.Wangles