Matt Cameron quits Pearl Jam

[96583UP]

I remember Matt made a comment shortly after joining PJ that the biggest difference between PJ and Soundgarden was that Soundgarden ‘hated each other’. I think SG were at a point where they were super exhausted from 2-3 years of non-stop touring with shows like every day or every other day and naturally were at each other’s throats. I think PJ was a cultural relief for Matt at first. But fast forward 27 years later and he looks ready to take a break again

[BDB]

I remember Matt made a comment shortly after joining PJ that the biggest difference between PJ and Soundgarden was that Soundgarden ‘hated each other’. I think SG were at a point where they were super exhausted from 2-3 years of non-stop touring with shows like every day or every other day and naturally were at each other’s throats. I think PJ was a cultural relief for Matt at first. But fast forward 27 years later and he looks ready to take a break again

If you know more than 2 assholes you are one of them...

[Mr.x]

Nobody wants to make the joke about how Matt is cool with having a beer with Jeff or Stone but like we left Ed out here(and I suppose Mike but jokes).

[Jorge]

[ Just be real. It’s not a satisfying creative outlet anymore. Probably never was. You’re old. Time is limited. Nothing wrong with saying you’re tired of playing the same hits and fan favorites night after night that you had nothing to do with.

I think that's what he was saying here, just more diplomatically

“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.”

You’re absolutely right. I just don’t think he needs to be diplomatic. They’re all in their 60’s and none of them strike me as being like Gene Simmons or Nikki Sixx levels of petty. It’s okay to admit you did a job for money and now feel comfortable with focusing on being an artist who makes no money but doesn’t have to worry about starving.

I would imagine he respects the guys and is grateful to the org and the fans, so he doesn't wanna be disrespectful or throw them under the bus. Also I bet it's more nuanced than "he only ever did it for the money." Maybe one day he'll write his memoirs and be more candid there

[warehouse]

"Eddie started to think he's Bruce Springsteen with these fuckin 3-hour long shows! I want to rock peoples faces off and go to bed, and he's up here with an accordion like Weird Al."- Matt Cameron, 2028

[VinylGuy]

¨you know what really was it? that fan forum called RM. Dude, i just went there for a moment and damn, those dudes were so fucking unhappy...is this what our music is doing? i cant be a part of that.¨

Matt Cameron 2026.

[Jorge]

Chapter 26: What Spenno Said

[Bammer]

“Clever fake quote about the same 20 Jamily creeps camping out before every show and bullying other people in line/crowd to be on the rail” -MC 2025

[Kevin Davis]

He maintains, as he did in his original announcement, that “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.”

I'm not usually like this, and don't like that I'm being like this this time, but I really want some of the people who were insisting that his leaving the band just couldn't possibly have to do with anything creative -- "no, not Pearl Jam, they're a band of brothers! no one could ever feel creatively dissatisfied in Pearl Jam, because look at all the time they have outside the band to work on their own projects!" -- to come back here and eat some crow.

[Monkey_Driven]

I'd quit too if I had Wotman in my ear screaming, "play harder!"

[lowlight79]

The constant touring reason just doesn't hold water with me. The shows since 2021 have been significantly cut down and they did 6 shows in 2021, 30 something in 22, 9 in 23, 36 in 24 and 10 in 25. Pretty much any drummer in any other band would die for that schedule. I'm surprised he lasted with them this long, considering Cornell wanted him back full time in Soundgarden only back when they got back together over a decade ago and Ed squashed that.

[igotworms]

¨you know what really was it? that fan forum called RM. Dude, i just went there for a moment and damn, those dudes were so fucking unhappy...is this what our music is doing? i cant be a part of that.¨

Matt Cameron 2026.

"And as soon as they started hacking my Google Drive folders I knew it was time they throw in the towel"

[96583UP]

The constant touring reason just doesn't hold water with me. The shows since 2021 have been significantly cut down and they did 6 shows in 2021, 30 something in 22, 9 in 23, 36 in 24 and 10 in 25. Pretty much any drummer in any other band would die for that schedule. I'm surprised he lasted with them this long, considering Cornell wanted him back full time in Soundgarden only back when they got back together over a decade ago and Ed squashed that.

sigh

and ofc Matt Chamberlain played with SG on tour instead

it should have been the other way around!

[LoathedVermin72]

Touring life sounds like hell on earth to me, I don't know why anyone would be discounting his citing that as a factor

[96583UP]

yeah esp at that age

as I have gotten older I am amazed at how much traveling takes out of me physically

imagine going from town to town like that, playing long late night gigs, and turning around and doing it again

they get paid well for it at least!

but man my brain would be mush and my bones would ache

[LoathedVermin72]

I don't really even like leaving the house to go to a concert

[96583UP]

yup

[sweeper]

I've never heard Matt say a negative thing about someone or something ever. He seems about like the nicest guy ever. Why are we expecting him to say something negative here?

[zeb]

Matt has the right idea.

I never want to attend a concert that long.

Bingo.

[zeb]

I just don’t think he needs to be diplomatic.

This is a weird position to take.