Matt leaving the band

PJ_Soul

Maybe he just felt like he'd been in PJ long enough, got kinda bored of that, kinda felt like the tours were a bit much, and felt like doing other stuff. Some of the theories about this seem overwrought. Quitting a job after 27 years seems pretty normal to me. 

Loujoe

True^ I forget it is a job

pjl44

The simplest explanation would be that his next project or projects are on their own timeline for announcement and it certainly would help to rip this band aid off first.

If that's the case it's still a fair (and open) question why he'd rather pursue them than stay in Pearl Jam. 

josevolution

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he just felt like he'd been in PJ long enough, got kinda bored of that, kinda felt like the tours were a bit much, and felt like doing other stuff. Some of the theories about this seem overwrought. Quitting a job after 27 years seems pretty normal to me. 

I agree on the long enough scenario but not on the tours regiment, this band doesn’t really tour as much as other touring bands as far as I can see 

hauntingfamiliar

eeriepadave said:

Go Beavers said:

mookeywrench said:

Anyone know if Matt's posted anything on instagram?

A cat pic

There you have it, your new PJ drummer...

He's really cute, I'm down. 

Tim Simmons

josevolution said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he just felt like he'd been in PJ long enough, got kinda bored of that, kinda felt like the tours were a bit much, and felt like doing other stuff. Some of the theories about this seem overwrought. Quitting a job after 27 years seems pretty normal to me. 

I agree on the long enough scenario but not on the tours regiment, this band doesn’t really tour as much as other touring bands as far as I can see 

I think as a fan we look at PJ as this thing that tours 6-8 weeks out 52. Maybe theres some studio sessions in there. Certainly rehearsals. (I'd band the band gets together more than we know). But Its such a small part of activity from an outsiders perspective. In reality its probably much more of a commitment than those 2-3 (sometimes more?) months of time. I bet they map out a years worth of activity in advance. Matt probably wants more freedom and to get that he needs to not have an albatross of PJ commitments over his head.   

Tim Simmons

I also don't think we're ever gonna get an answer that is more than, " I felt like that was a good run and I wanted to do some other things and the guys were sad but understood", so it probably not worth too much time spent on theorizing. 

Vedd Hedd

My thoughts just based on things I have read and heard the last few years.

I think Matt has been thinking about this for a while. 
I suspect the band knew around Gigaton, or maybe just after that.  
^Thats probably why Dark Matter came about pretty quickly?
The Dark Matter album was sort of Matt's swan song with the band...it was hyped very early on as a "matt-centric"' album and all of the band were mentioning Matts drumming as a focal point (other than Andrew Watt's involvement)
The band, looking at that last show in Pitt, they knew.  It seems pretty obvious now, so they knew, and likely have an idea of what they were going to do. 
Personally, I dont think its anything negative between the Band/MC.  Just seems more like based on his career and recent life experience, he is ready to stop the full grind of record/album/tour/repeat.  
Seems like he will still be doing some THINGS.  Recording on his own terms, probably playing on his own terms, without having the full time band member responsibilities.  (Prob SG album finishing, some possible shows around that, the HOF, and some side projects that dont have nearly as much physical demand and time away from home. 
PJ's statement seems like they are still ready to roll, and with their recent work with Watt, seem likely to take a break then get back after it.  I would suspect we dont hear much the rest of the year on the PJ front, but maybe they let us know in '26. 

NWOntario

This is giving me throwbacks to 1998/99 and the "Drummer Situation" ( (C) Five Horizons), when Matt wasn't going to be joining Pearl Jam so he could concentrate on Wellwater Conspiracy and other projects. Guess it just took him a really, really, really long time to come to a decision.

Gern Blansten

Vedd Hedd said:

My thoughts just based on things I have read and heard the last few years.

I think Matt has been thinking about this for a while. 
I suspect the band knew around Gigaton, or maybe just after that.  
^Thats probably why Dark Matter came about pretty quickly?
The Dark Matter album was sort of Matt's swan song with the band...it was hyped very early on as a "matt-centric"' album and all of the band were mentioning Matts drumming as a focal point (other than Andrew Watt's involvement)
The band, looking at that last show in Pitt, they knew.  It seems pretty obvious now, so they knew, and likely have an idea of what they were going to do. 
Personally, I dont think its anything negative between the Band/MC.  Just seems more like based on his career and recent life experience, he is ready to stop the full grind of record/album/tour/repeat.  
Seems like he will still be doing some THINGS.  Recording on his own terms, probably playing on his own terms, without having the full time band member responsibilities.  (Prob SG album finishing, some possible shows around that, the HOF, and some side projects that dont have nearly as much physical demand and time away from home. 
PJ's statement seems like they are still ready to roll, and with their recent work with Watt, seem likely to take a break then get back after it.  I would suspect we dont hear much the rest of the year on the PJ front, but maybe they let us know in '26. 

I'm in your camp. He's just ready to stop with PJ and probably keep things closer to home.

He has always been pretty active on Instagram posting music that he's working on, etc. 

I do hope this is triggered by some sort of SG project.

Tjm007

Perhaps why tickets were so expensive - retirement pot for MC.

Get_Right

Tjm007 said:

Perhaps why tickets were so expensive - retirement pot for MC.

Not just MC. Surfing in Hawaii and skating in Montana is not cheap.

Go Beavers

Get_Right said:

Tjm007 said:

Perhaps why tickets were so expensive - retirement pot for MC.

Not just MC. Surfing in Hawaii and skating in Montana is not cheap.

And Stone just hangs out at the library. 

ForceofNature101

Tjm007 said:

Perhaps why tickets were so expensive - retirement pot for MC.

Tickets in general for every artist that big is around that price, I think it is just a symptom of the royalty-stingy streaming times for artists to make a profit moreso than Matt specifically

igotid88

Maybe winning Drumeo rock drummer of the Year made him realize they were holding him back. Just kidding

ryan_kellett

Given that Pearl Jam has the antithesis of a rigorous touring schedule for a band of their size and ilk there are only three options that make sense in terms of this move IMHO:

1) Celebrate Soundgarden’s legacy on the heals of their forthcoming RRHOF induction. Perhaps in the form of a tour or new album with reinterpretation/recreation that still tastefully pays homage to its first incarnation with someone such as Brandi Carlisle fronting.
It’s important to remember that Ben and Kim haven’t been generating as lucrative of a regular source of income . It would be a full circle moment in which “one hand, washes the other”.  This scenario seems the most likely to me in some capacity.

2) The Foo Fighters are a successful and energetic live band, but a move to the FF is a step down in terms of MFC’s legacy.   He would be playing a setlist of very night which to this time was entirely written by someone else . At 63 years old and having a shelf life , the only benefit that could possibly provide is either a bigger pay day (ie. pay raise or higher frequency of shows) 

3) A general feeling that the dynamics of the band or at least his involvement in the band has run its course. Maybe personality misalignments, creative outlet disagreements or patience has won thin . It happens in marriages every  day.

On a side note, I have always been generally curious at how PJ Inc contractually structured their agreements with their past drummers including Matt Cameron in terms of their royalty cuts on albums, merch, concerts , etc.
Many huge/large bands aren’t equitably split between the members and some members have no control over the output of said band name entities . 

Gern Blansten

ryan_kellett said:

Given that Pearl Jam has the antithesis of a rigorous touring schedule for a band of their size and ilk there are only three options that make sense in terms of this move IMHO:

1) Celebrate Soundgarden’s legacy on the heals of their forthcoming RRHOF induction. Perhaps in the form of a tour or new album with reinterpretation/recreation that still tastefully pays homage to its first incarnation with someone such as Brandi Carlisle fronting.
It’s important to remember that Ben and Kim haven’t been generating as lucrative of a regular source of income . It would be a full circle moment in which “one hand, washes the other”.  This scenario seems the most likely to me in some capacity.

2) The Foo Fighters are a successful and energetic live band, but a move to the FF is a step down in terms of MFC’s legacy.   He would be playing a setlist of very night which to this time was entirely written by someone else . At 63 years old and having a shelf life , the only benefit that could possibly provide is either a bigger pay day (ie. pay raise or higher frequency of shows) 

3) A general feeling that the dynamics of the band or at least his involvement in the band has run its course. Maybe personality misalignments, creative outlet disagreements or patience has won thin . It happens in marriages every  day.

On a side note, I have always been generally curious at how PJ Inc contractually structured their agreements with their past drummers including Matt Cameron in terms of their royalty cuts on albums, merch, concerts , etc.
Many huge/large bands aren’t equitably split between the members and some members have no control over the output of said band name entities . 

I think he is just ready to simplify things for himself. I do hope there is SG activity.

Regarding #3: If turning Need to Know into the Fixer didn't drive him off I don't know what would

mace1229

ryan_kellett said:

Given that Pearl Jam has the antithesis of a rigorous touring schedule for a band of their size and ilk there are only three options that make sense in terms of this move IMHO:

1) Celebrate Soundgarden’s legacy on the heals of their forthcoming RRHOF induction. Perhaps in the form of a tour or new album with reinterpretation/recreation that still tastefully pays homage to its first incarnation with someone such as Brandi Carlisle fronting.
It’s important to remember that Ben and Kim haven’t been generating as lucrative of a regular source of income . It would be a full circle moment in which “one hand, washes the other”.  This scenario seems the most likely to me in some capacity.

2) The Foo Fighters are a successful and energetic live band, but a move to the FF is a step down in terms of MFC’s legacy.   He would be playing a setlist of very night which to this time was entirely written by someone else . At 63 years old and having a shelf life , the only benefit that could possibly provide is either a bigger pay day (ie. pay raise or higher frequency of shows) 

3) A general feeling that the dynamics of the band or at least his involvement in the band has run its course. Maybe personality misalignments, creative outlet disagreements or patience has won thin . It happens in marriages every  day.

On a side note, I have always been generally curious at how PJ Inc contractually structured their agreements with their past drummers including Matt Cameron in terms of their royalty cuts on albums, merch, concerts , etc.
Many huge/large bands aren’t equitably split between the members and some members have no control over the output of said band name entities . 

I’ve always been curious about that last part. Most bands go through some changes, and while they all handle it differently, I’m sure there’s a norm to follow.
I would assume passed drummers get royalties from albums there were on, even rereleases 30 years later. But nothing from albums they weren’t on.
But I’m sure things like the vault complicate it. They’d probably have to include the performing drummer, but also not want to cut Matt out when they release a pre-98 vault. Would be kinda odd if only 4 of the current members made money off something they put out.

yanknuck

ryan_kellett said:

Given that Pearl Jam has the antithesis of a rigorous touring schedule for a band of their size and ilk there are only three options that make sense in terms of this move IMHO:

1) Celebrate Soundgarden’s legacy on the heals of their forthcoming RRHOF induction. Perhaps in the form of a tour or new album with reinterpretation/recreation that still tastefully pays homage to its first incarnation with someone such as Brandi Carlisle fronting.
It’s important to remember that Ben and Kim haven’t been generating as lucrative of a regular source of income . It would be a full circle moment in which “one hand, washes the other”.  This scenario seems the most likely to me in some capacity.

2) The Foo Fighters are a successful and energetic live band, but a move to the FF is a step down in terms of MFC’s legacy.   He would be playing a setlist of very night which to this time was entirely written by someone else . At 63 years old and having a shelf life , the only benefit that could possibly provide is either a bigger pay day (ie. pay raise or higher frequency of shows) 

3) A general feeling that the dynamics of the band or at least his involvement in the band has run its course. Maybe personality misalignments, creative outlet disagreements or patience has won thin . It happens in marriages every  day.

On a side note, I have always been generally curious at how PJ Inc contractually structured their agreements with their past drummers including Matt Cameron in terms of their royalty cuts on albums, merch, concerts , etc.
Many huge/large bands aren’t equitably split between the members and some members have no control over the output of said band name entities . 

The #1 scenario to me is the first thing I thought of. Mainly because there is unreleased/unfinished music in the can to work on. 2026 could very well be a Soundgarden kind of year. In looking at the official statements from both camps, Matt mentions "...the mighty PJ" and the band replies with "...the mighty Soundgarden". Regardless, best of luck to both. 

CG658530

Who the fuck wants Soundgarden without Cornell singing? Like MFC is his own person, but jesus that'd be disappointing.