The drummers

theebradness

Probably been posted/discussed a million times but I'm not searching for it.

Matt Cameron is a great drummer but too much like a metronome and lacks swing. 

Dave Abbruzzese has killer swing and flair but is kind of a one trick pony.

Krusen and Chamberlain are solid but we don't have a lot to work with, although Chamberlain still plays, just saw him in Bob Dylan's band and he's AWESOME

That leaves Jack Irons. In my opinion, the best drummer the band has had. Can play across every dynamic, is inventive, knows when to lay back or throw down, and his playing has a ton of character.

Here's hoping for a killer album and tour in 2020!!

tusevun

Dave>the rest

bootlegger10

In my mind Matt Cameron is the only official drummer of Pearl Jam.  The others were never solid in their position (did anyone last more than 3 years?).  

igotid88

tusevun said:

Dave>the rest

Krusen?

my_wave

no code and yield are all because of jack irons, i wish they would bring jack back just to write and record with and then matt could just be their live drummer, jack is by far the most creative drummer they've ever had and in my opinion brings out the best in the band, matt is fucking awesome live but he's no jack irons in the studio, jack is loose and loves to jam and be in the moment where matt is more technical and his style just fits better with soundgarden, just listen to in my tree, the studio version and when jack played it live and then listen to it again when matt plays it live, it's night and day, love them both though, and nothing touches dave a live, but that's all in the past now...

Smellyman

Jack was the worst live though

dr122931

no disrespect to the others, but Matt is the best.  Thank you Matt for being a badass and keeping a solid presence with the band for the past 20+ years. PJ is lucky to have you.  As much as I love SG, and I love SG, Matt is a better fit for PJ.  

stratmad

Jack was musically the best fit for the band, he brought new sounds, textures and grooves.  Matt is excellent in Soundgarden but there’s nothing that I particularly find interesting about his style and fit in PJ, though the way he speeds up the tunes bug me and as someone pointed out he lacks the swing of the other drummers.  Just listen to Alive performed at the RNRHOF with Dave Krusen and it’s night and day.  Dave Abbruzzese was a powerhouse and had the swing and his time with the band when they were young and angry was a great fit

NewJPage

stratmad said:

Jack was musically the best fit for the band, he brought new sounds, textures and grooves.  Matt is excellent in Soundgarden but there’s nothing that I particularly find interesting about his style and fit in PJ, though the way he speeds up the tunes bug me and as someone pointed out he lacks the swing of the other drummers.  Just listen to Alive performed at the RNRHOF with Dave Krusen and it’s night and day.  Dave Abbruzzese was a powerhouse and had the swing and his time with the band when they were young and angry was a great fit

I wouldn't necessarily blame speed on matt. The guitar player(s) start most songs out, and they play them at a quick pace before the drums kick in. It's not like the songs double in tempo the second drums are added

lastexitlondon

All drummers have been quality. Not a bad one in there.  All individuals 

mr bungle

stratmad said:

Jack was musically the best fit for the band, he brought new sounds, textures and grooves.  Matt is excellent in Soundgarden but there’s nothing that I particularly find interesting about his style and fit in PJ, though the way he speeds up the tunes bug me and as someone pointed out he lacks the swing of the other drummers.  Just listen to Alive performed at the RNRHOF with Dave Krusen and it’s night and day.  Dave Abbruzzese was a powerhouse and had the swing and his time with the band when they were young and angry was a great fit

I may be in the minority here but I prefer the songs sped up live.  It adds intensity and urgency to the show for me.  On the albums, songs like GTF, Corduroy, Evenflow etc. sound like ballads almost, compared to the concert .  Don't get me wrong I love the studio versions also.  But live, give me speed.

2-feign-reluctance

theebradness said:

Probably been posted/discussed a million times but I'm not searching for it.

Matt Cameron is a great drummer but too much like a metronome and lacks swing. 

Dave Abbruzzese has killer swing and flair but is kind of a one trick pony.

Krusen and Chamberlain are solid but we don't have a lot to work with, although Chamberlain still plays, just saw him in Bob Dylan's band and he's AWESOME

That leaves Jack Irons. In my opinion, the best drummer the band has had. Can play across every dynamic, is inventive, knows when to lay back or throw down, and his playing has a ton of character.

Here's hoping for a killer album and tour in 2020!!

Dave Krusen plays/played with Candlebox and has been on a bunch of other projects all worth checking out. 

theebradness

my_wave said:

no code and yield are all because of jack irons, i wish they would bring jack back just to write and record with and then matt could just be their live drummer, jack is by far the most creative drummer they've ever had and in my opinion brings out the best in the band, matt is fucking awesome live but he's no jack irons in the studio, jack is loose and loves to jam and be in the moment where matt is more technical and his style just fits better with soundgarden, just listen to in my tree, the studio version and when jack played it live and then listen to it again when matt plays it live, it's night and day, love them both though, and nothing touches dave a live, but that's all in the past now...

My thoughts exactly. Those two are my favorite albums. I love all the PJ drummers and am a total Soundgarden fanboy. Matt is a great drummer I just feel he lacks something in Pearl Jam.

opsopcopolis

stratmad said:

Jack was musically the best fit for the band, he brought new sounds, textures and grooves.  Matt is excellent in Soundgarden but there’s nothing that I particularly find interesting about his style and fit in PJ, though the way he speeds up the tunes bug me and as someone pointed out he lacks the swing of the other drummers.  Just listen to Alive performed at the RNRHOF with Dave Krusen and it’s night and day.  Dave Abbruzzese was a powerhouse and had the swing and his time with the band when they were young and angry was a great fit

Basically agree with this. Love Matt in general, but his style fits SG more than PJ.

Dr.Teeth and the Electric Mayh

As said before, much respect to all the drummers the band has had. To me, Matt is on another level than the other drummers, but I do see what Dave A. and Jack brought into the studio versions they did. There is just something about the precision of Matt.

Listen to Brain of J from Vault 6 compared to any Jack version. Same with Dave A., particularly on this latest Vault and /or his studio songs. Matt is driving the song when he is playing, particularly on the rockers. Dave A. and Jack seem to be sitting in the backseat. 

brianlux

Jack Irons is my favorite.  He brought a creative spark to the band that was huge.  This is not to dismiss the other fine drummers who have worked with the band, I just like Jack best.

hedonist

Way back, I used to watch him and Hillel Slovak practice with a few other dudes.  He was a nice guy - talented, not full of himself, kinda shy.  It's how he strikes me now, too.

His playing?  Given that No Code and Yield are my favorites, it's not surprising I lean toward his style.  There's a gorgeous liquidity in his way - listen to In My Tree, Given to Fly, Who You Are.

Sticks connected to the arms, connected to the mind....

trees

2-feign-reluctance said:

theebradness said:

Probably been posted/discussed a million times but I'm not searching for it.

Matt Cameron is a great drummer but too much like a metronome and lacks swing. 

Dave Abbruzzese has killer swing and flair but is kind of a one trick pony.

Krusen and Chamberlain are solid but we don't have a lot to work with, although Chamberlain still plays, just saw him in Bob Dylan's band and he's AWESOME

That leaves Jack Irons. In my opinion, the best drummer the band has had. Can play across every dynamic, is inventive, knows when to lay back or throw down, and his playing has a ton of character.

Here's hoping for a killer album and tour in 2020!!

Dave Krusen plays/played with Candlebox and has been on a bunch of other projects all worth checking out. 

I saw Dave Krusen play in Candlebox july 11th 2019 here in Columbus Ohio at the Blue Stone 

trees

I agree. Jacks Drumming is on but Matt s is as well and he is the current drummer but yeh i would like to hear Jack and the others do what Matt. Drums on Binural ans Riot Act. Avocado. back Spacer Lighting Bolt 7and the rest of Matts PJ works 

Brisk.

Matt Cameron for sure but I'd love to hear Dave A trying to play Sleight of Hand.

brianlux

Jack also gets bonus points for having occasionally used trash can lids for symbols.  Brilliant! And cool sounding!  All that and a little pink dress, there ya go.  My fave.

lolobugg

Jack! Jack! Jack!

HughFreakingDillon

dave a brought great energy. 
dave k brought great stability. 
jack brought great feel.  
matt brings great songs and rhythm. 

doesn't hurt when your lead singer idolizes you to boot. 

NewJPage

HughFreakingDillon said:

dave a brought great energy. 
dave k brought great stability. 
jack brought great feel.  
matt brings great songs and rhythm. 

doesn't hurt when your lead singer idolizes you to boot. 

Fair, although I don't know if I would say the guy that lasted 7 months because of issues with alcohol abuse brought "stability." Not judging just reality of the situation