Matt Cameron quits Pearl Jam

[tree_]

I've always appreciated Matt's talent, but I never thought he was a good fit for this band. I hate what he does on a song like Thumbing My Way. Been waiting for this change for many years.

drummer of 27 years quits, and tree just thinks it is the time to shit on him. Gtfo dude.

it's kinda funny. 'good fit', he was the drummer for like a large majority of their career as a band. like wtf are we even talking about?

yeah well, I haven't been a fan for a long time.. like, are we not allowed to comment unless we're unabashed fans? tell that to dime in the The Bear thread.. and i'm not shitting on Matt. Even the way he talks about his time with the band in that Beato interview he was just a gun for hire and also didn't feel like this was the best use of his talents

i get it, the people who don't like the "Matt Era" don't like pearl jam that much. it's fine, it's just weird that the guy who was their drummer for like 80% gets an "Era". Dave A was 3 albums, Jack Irons was 2 albums, Matt Cameron was 7 albums. Cameron was there for like 3 different PJ Eras.

now please tell me he wasn't using his talents b/c most of pearl jam songs are in normal time signatures

In PJ, he almost always was playing to "serve the song" as he says himself in the Beato interview. And yeah, I don't blame him for that, surely he just did what the band wanted him to for each song. That must be pretty artistically unfulfilling. But what I think the band really needs is someone like Irons to add more of their own spice to the mix, and I hope they get that in a new drummer, somehow, if the band allows for it.

[swan]

Matt was openly not a fan of Andrew Watt & that whole process. I doubt that's entirely why he's done, but it could be a piece.

A bit of a sad day in PJ land.

[Strat]

Matt was openly not a fan of Andrew Watt & that whole process. I doubt that's entirely why he's done, but it could be a piece.

A bit of a sad day in PJ land.

You're thinking of Trag

[Leatherhead]

I'm not happy about this. Just listened to Binaural yesterday. Still easily at the top for me.

[wease]

Matt Chamberlain filled in for MC for a tour before. He learned a bunch of songs. I think he's capable of playing 25 - 27 songs each night. I don't believe the same can be said about Krusen or Irons at this point.

I also feel majority of the Binaural through Dark Matter material may go into a deep freeze. Ten + Hits + new album material might become the new normal.

You hit the nail on the head. They’re gonna become even more of a greatest hits band with practically nothing after Yield being played.

[darthvedder81]

I don't understand the "Matt never fit into the band" argument. I thought he fit in great from day one. He's certainly the most well-rounded drummer they ever had. Jack was always more of the odd one out to me but I still love what Jack did on NC and Yield—he really pushed them into different directions creatively. Dave A played on two albums and he's unbelievable on Vs. but pretty much a one trick pony it terms of his style of drumming (especially listening to the live stuff from that era—kinda hard to listen to him with all the over top drum rolls and splash and china symbols ringing out).

[dad]

the best way to honor Matt would be the release the NA legs of the Yield tour, immediately.

[Buby]

Matt's impact and footprint on the band is huge.
7 of PJ's 12 studio albums, the previous 5 split between 4 drummers.
Also, Matt had a heavy presence in the songwriting of his 7 albums (with the exception of Lightning Bolt, make of that what you will).

It really is the end of an era.

[Strat]

Matt Chamberlain filled in for MC for a tour before. He learned a bunch of songs. I think he's capable of playing 25 - 27 songs each night. I don't believe the same can be said about Krusen or Irons at this point.

I also feel majority of the Binaural through Dark Matter material may go into a deep freeze. Ten + Hits + new album material might become the new normal.

You hit the nail on the head. They’re gonna become even more of a greatest hits band with practically nothing after Yield being played.

You are wrong. You are only expressing your fears. Search deep. you know this not to be true.

[wease]

Matt Chamberlain filled in for MC for a tour before. He learned a bunch of songs. I think he's capable of playing 25 - 27 songs each night. I don't believe the same can be said about Krusen or Irons at this point.

I also feel majority of the Binaural through Dark Matter material may go into a deep freeze. Ten + Hits + new album material might become the new normal.

You hit the nail on the head. They’re gonna become even more of a greatest hits band with practically nothing after Yield being played.

You are wrong. You are only expressing your fears. Search deep. you know this not to be true.

I just don’t see it happening.

[bodysnatcher]

dude is gonna join a new band and become a third Funko Pop

[Kevin Davis]

Theyve gone through more drummers than most bands. They will carry on.

I agree that they'll carry on, but I do think losing Matt is going to be a lot different than losing any of their other drummers, both musically and personally. He was in the band for almost 10x as long as either Dave or Jack. The band was constantly in some form of upheaval or another through most of the '90's; the changing drummer thing was one of many destabilizing forces during that period, and arguably not even the most challenging one. Conversely, they seem very much to have become creatures of comfort over the last 20 or so years. Not to say they won't put in the work, but I imagine the dynamics/logistics of this change is going to be a lot different than any of their other drummer shakeups, and I won't be surprised if the resultant change looks a lot different than the kind of seamless "carrying on" that happened when Dave A, Jack, and Matt stepped in.

Honest question: Jack left the band, if memory serves, because of the toll that the band's intense touring schedule and public image took on his mental health. Is that right? Their schedule isn't like that now at all, and personal/family needs seem to drive their decisions in a way they didn't used to. Is it insane to hope?

[bodysnatcher]

Theyve gone through more drummers than most bands. They will carry on.

Honest question: Jack left the band, if memory serves, because of the toll that the band's intense touring schedule and public image took on his mental health. Is that right? Their schedule isn't like that now at all, and personal/family needs seem to drive their decisions in a way they didn't used to. Is it insane to hope?

I thought the same thing. Would be great, personally. But IIRC, Jack was very much an Ed hire, back when he forced himself into the Santa Claus role of the Pearl Jam sleigh.

[EJ]

I wonder if Jeff is like, "damn, he beat me to it." He would've been my vote to be the first (of this iteration of the band) to leave.

[dimejinky99]

Met Jack at the LA shows in 2003 and he couldn’t have been nicer and more giving.
Gave everyone his time and attention. He ended up playing that night. That isn’t to say drumming for pj or anyone isn’t gruelling but there can be other things involved.

Maybe it’s just time they close it all down

[wease]

Now is Brad Wilk’s time to shine

[Strat]

Theyve gone through more drummers than most bands. They will carry on.

I agree that they'll carry on, but I do think losing Matt is going to be a lot different than losing any of their other drummers, both musically and personally. He was in the band for almost 10x as long as either Dave or Jack. The band was constantly in some form of upheaval or another through most of the '90's; the changing drummer thing was one of many destabilizing forces during that period, and arguably not even the most challenging one. Conversely, they seem very much to have become creatures of comfort over the last 20 or so years. Not to say they won't put in the work, but I imagine the dynamics/logistics of this change is going to be a lot different than any of their other drummer shakeups, and I won't be surprised if the resultant change looks a lot different than the kind of seamless "carrying on" that happened when Dave A, Jack, and Matt stepped in.

Honest question: Jack left the band, if memory serves, because of the toll that the band's intense touring schedule and public image took on his mental health. Is that right? Their schedule isn't like that now at all, and personal/family needs seem to drive their decisions in a way they didn't used to. Is it insane to hope?

That's why i think it'll be someone "in the family" Whoever that may be. Prior drummer? Stuverud? etc..etc..

[WtOB?]

this is really sad news to wake up to. glad i got to see some of his final shows.

[Peeps]

i am no where near the pj expert most of you are but i have a feeling i saw their last tour show

they are getting up there and touring does take a toll. whether you are a drummer, bassists, singer or guitar player

they had matt for the majority of their career and wouldnt be surprised that they just do the occasional benefit show/festival and go off their separate ways

[tree_]

I don't understand the "Matt never fit into the band" argument. I thought he fit in great from day one. He's certainly the most well-rounded drummer they ever had. Jack was always more of the odd one out to me but I still love what Jack did on NC and Yield—he really pushed them into different directions creatively. Dave A played on two albums and he's unbelievable on Vs. but pretty much a one trick pony it terms of his style of drumming (especially listening to the live stuff from that era—kinda hard to listen to him with all the over top drum rolls and splash and china symbols ringing out).

All I'm saying is I don't prefer what he contributed. Just different tastes. If you like it, more power to ya. If they were able to continue the style of No Code, I'd have maintained my fandom, and you might not've.