Matt Cameron Talks Pearl Jam Departure, New Soundgarden Album & More

Drummer Matt Cameron spoke to Billboard’s Gary Graff and shared some additional insight into his recent decision to leave Pearl Jam. Cameron also spoke about Soundgarden, the Seattle-based band he joined in 1986, and gave an update about the status of a final forthcoming album from the grunge group.

Cameron became Pearl Jam’s drummer in 1998 and was behind the kit for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band for 27 years. Cameron announced his departure from Pearl Jam in July, sharing little about his decision to step away.

“I was having some issues with (Pearl Jam’s) three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff,” Cameron told Billboard. “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.”

Pearl Jam has not filled Cameron’s spot in the band’s lineup. The drummer’s final show occurred on May 18 at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. Pearl Jam does not have any currently scheduled tour dates.

“I definitely gave them a lot of notice,” Cameron said of his Pearl Jam bandmates. “I’ve spoken with [bassist] Jeff (Ament) and [guitarist] Stone (Gossard) a little bit… It’s been fine. Hopefully we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something.”

Cameron will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame a second time when Soundgarden is bestowed the honor in November. Cameron told Billboard he and fellow Soundgarden members, guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Ben Shepherd, have been working on completing an album they started recording with late frontman Chris Cornell.

“We’re definitely over halfway done with it,” Cameron said regarding the pending album. “Kim is in the process of finishing his guitar parts; he wants to make sure they get exactly the way he wants them.”

Cornell died by suicide in 2017, two years after work began on the eight new songs that will make up the final Soundgarden album. The record is not expected to be out before the end of the year, and singles will not be released before the album is fully completed.

Cameron did not comment when asked about who might perform with Soundgarden at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony. The drummer did reveal that co-founding Soundgarden bassist Hiro Yamamoto will participate in the festivities.

Visit Billboard to read more from Matt Cameron’s interview.