(Credits: Zildijan)
Tue 16 September 2025 17:08, UK
Drummer Matt Cameron has revealed why he left Pearl Jam earlier this year and also discussed Soundgarden’s plans to release a new album.
In July, Cameron and Pearl Jam announced their amicable separation after 27 years. The drummer shared with fans: “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter.”
Meanwhile, Pearl Jam thanked Cameron for his almost three decades of service to the band, saying it “was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always” and noting that he “will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music”.
Now, in a new interview with Billboard, he’s revealed that Pearl Jam’s live shows were a key reason for his exit from the band, admitting, “I was having some issues with (Pearl Jam’s) three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff.”
He added, “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.”
Before joining Pearl Jam, Cameron was a member of Soundgarden. Later this year, they are set to be honoured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Before the tragic death of frontman Chris Cornell in 2017, they were working on a new album, which has never seen the light of day following his passing.
However, early this year, Thayil said that he believes it will eventually be released, and now, Cameron has shared another positive update.
“There’s not a set release date or anything as of yet,” he told Billboard. After clarifying there’s unlikely to be any releases this year, and certainly nothing before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in November, Cameron added, “There were a couple schools of thought, like, ‘Hey, let’s put out a single.’ I think eventually we decided we want to make sure the whole thing is completed before we start releasing singles. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
Cameron, who was previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 with Pearl Jam, described the upcoming induction as a “huge honour”, before adding, “It’s not lost upon me that it’s pretty real to get in there two time.”
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