Olympia, WA hard rock trio C Average was formed by singer/guitarist Jon Merithew, Melvins bassist Joe Preston and drummer Brad Balsley. Debuting in 1998 with a self-titled LP on Kill Rock Stars, the band nevertheless earned its greatest notoriety for regularly backing Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder during his infrequent solo gigs; replacing Preston with bassist Tim Brown, C Average issued their second album in 2000. Second Reckoning followed on Kill Rock Stars in early 2001. ~ Jason Ankeny