Pearl Jam are still recruiting a new drummer for future shows.
Matt Cameron, 63, announced his departure from the Given to Fly rockers after 27 years in July 2025, and confessed that he had grown weary of the demanding nature of the group’s live performances.
Despite performing with Sir Paul McCartney’s drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. at Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Fest, bassist Jeff Ament, also 63, says they are still in search of a permanent replacement.
Speaking to Under the Radar, he said: “We’re not in any massive rush but we want to play some shows next year. I’m 63, but I’m pretty fit. I think I can act like a young foolish guy up there for a few more years but I feel a little bit more urgency in terms of getting out there to play shows when we are physically young-ish.”
Jeff said Matt’s Soundgarden bandmate Chris Cornell’s 2017 suicide hit him hard when discussing his departure.
He said: “I think when Chris [Cornell] passed that was a massive hit for all of us, but in particular for Matt. I know there was a period of time where he wasn’t sure he wanted to even play anymore, and pretty much since then he’s been talking about winding it down and wanting to do some other things.
“He’s got some other itches to scratch but it was a pretty f****** sad moment. You’ve got years of travelling the world and making music together, but I’m stoked for him.”
The sticksman himself confessed that he became tired of Pearl Jam’s “constant touring”.
Matt told Billboard: “I was having some issues with (Pearl Jam’s) three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff.
“That’s definitely an art form unto itself, to be able to do those types of shows… I’m at a point now where I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set, and that’s kind of what I’m focusing on right now.”
Matt said that his Pearl Jam exit was “amicable” and was a necessary step at this stage in his career.
The musician said: “I definitely gave them a lot of notice. I’ve spoken with Jeff (Ament) and Stone (Gossard) a little bit… It’s been fine. Hopefully we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something.”
He added: “I’m at a point in my life where I want to redirect my time and energy in a way that is a little bit based on what I want to pursue as an artist at this point.”
