The Great Drummer Debate

Evacuation Rules

Matt is an absolute GOD to me, but Jack had a unique style that I really love. The way he rides the hi-hat, pushes and pulls, is very unique. You hear him, and you KNOW that it's him playing, and I can't say the same for Matt.

Dave A was too rat-a-tat-tatty and played the cymbals way too much, as tons of other people have mentioned before. HOWEVER, he had a really great SOUND, which is why I think some people prefer him. Matt's drums sound kind of flat and plain, especially on the 03/06 boots.

And yes, I'm a drummer too, so I'm not completely talking out of my ass.

CitizenRick

I'll make this short and sweet. I think Dave was very good at hard hitting straight ahead rock songs (Even Flow, Go ect) and not bad at all at creative stuff (WMA ect).

Jack was awesome at creative stuff (most of No Code and Yield) very good at punk type songs (Brain of J, Lukin ect) and lacking stighlty on the rock anthem stuff (too garbage can sounding).

Matt is the most well rounded. He plays it all with the most consistency.

I'll take Matt!

loveboat captain

Really, how lucky are Eddie, Stone, Mike, and Jeff to have had three really strong drummers in their band with them? They're each really strong in their own ways; I admire Dave A's intensity and edge, I respect Jack's creativity and musicianship, and Matt is just the consummate professional. I think if I had to make a choice between the three, I'd take Matt for his consistency. I'd also like to echo an earlier post that pointed out Matt's performance of In My Tree from Touring Band 2K...it's flawless. So all the people that are complaining that "the band had to rework their songs because he can't handle them" need to go back and watch that performance.

patrickredeyes

Matt all the way.

I just find when he waves to the crowd after a show to be just silly looking. lol

Open

MattyJoe wrote:

You guys don't seem to understand that as a drummer Cameron can easily learn those songs the way they are meant to be played. Whether or not he does is another thing. But even if he never plays that way, a drummer can learn those patterns. It doesn't even take that much time (a few days at most for something really hard) until you have mastered something. Take my word for it, I'm a drummer. The only thing is it's possible he just didn't take the time to work out the stuff, which has been the case before on other songs.

Dead on... Technically and time wise Matt is the best drummer; if someone prefers Dave or Jack's style that is a personal preference.

MattyJoe

The thing I don't like about Cameron is he plays a little too mechanically at times. For instance in Even Flow he should be shredding on the outro (you know, the part where Stone plays the riff and Mike does those licks with wah-wah). But most of the time he'll play that just like the rest of the song. He does this in other songs as well (Porch is another example). During a part where he should really push the intensity level, he kinda just pounds out the same stuff at the same level. He never pushes it higher. Meanwhile the rest of the band are playing their asses off during the last chorus of Porch while he drums like a robot. Inexcusable.

That's the thing I like about Dave A, he DID bring it to the next level. He knew when to up the intensity. he had good instinct for it.

And trust me, I know what I am talking about, I am a drummer. And not a crappy one either.

Open

MattyJoe wrote:

The thing I don't like about Cameron is he plays a little too mechanically at times. For instance in Even Flow he should be shredding on the outro (you know, the part where Stone plays the riff and Mike does those licks with wah-wah). But most of the time he'll play that just like the rest of the song. He does this in other songs as well (Porch is another example). During a part where he should really push the intensity level, he kinda just pounds out the same stuff at the same level. He never pushes it higher. Meanwhile the rest of the band are playing their asses off during the last chorus of Porch while he drums like a robot. Inexcusable.

That's the thing I like about Dave A, he DID bring it to the next level. He knew when to up the intensity. he had good instinct for it.

And trust me, I know what I am talking about, I am a drummer. And not a crappy one either.

Not disagreeing with you, a good example of him pushing it is SOLAT from 06 Gorge..you can tell he was into it.

1stmammaltowearpants

gotta go with matt on this one. the mans got talent and plays with energy. my opinion is a bit tainted though considering i'm a huge soundgarden fan

VEDHEAD27

MattyJoe wrote:

Dave A was the best drummer. He really gave the band a nice energetic but grungy sound.

Nicely said. Dave A will ALWAYS hold a very special place in my heart for a countless number of reasons. He was a beast behind that kit. An energy like no other!

With that said... I LOVE Matt's new take on Who You Are! Hooooly fuckin hell! :eek: Loooove it! Totally made it his own. The song has been reborn. I dont think it's ever sounded better. I know I'm not the only one.

WMA, I think it sounds absolutely killer as well. I'd be lying if I said I didnt miss that sick ass drum intro...but again..I like how the song has been reborn and has a different style to it.

I love how PJ mixes it up and gives us multiple versions of songs. I also love how they've mixed it up with drummers. Each has a unique style all their own and brings something to the table that the others don't. Thats how I see it anyways. I love the variety on all levels.

MattyJoe

1stmammaltowearpants wrote:

gotta go with matt on this one. the mans got talent and plays with energy. my opinion is a bit tainted though considering i'm a huge soundgarden fan

I think he was better in Soundgarden than in Pearl Jam. He fit in better.

rebornFixer

Matt's "heavy" yet technical style suits PJ perfectly. I liked Jack, but he's a tad mellow and he just kinda rolls along.
Dave A. is overrated.

rebornFixer

Evolution6579 wrote:

Have you heard Jesus Christ Pose, Rhinosaur, Burden In My Hand? Hell...the drum part in Evacuation is more complex than Who You Are.

Exactly.

bigeye21

All three have their own unique attributes. Myself, I was real torn when Jack Irons left the band. Per Ed, he saved the life of the band at the time he was enlisted and seemed to catapult the band into a different dimension and new musical territory.

Dave was great in his way but I agree with the sentiment that he was a little too one dimensional to be relevant as the band matured and experimented.

Matt is great technically but for years I thought of him as Soundgarden's drummer and a Pearl Jam fill-in. I think it took him a while to find his voice within the band and I really came to appreciate his contribution with the last album and tour -- especially vocally. The fact is, Dave ain't coming back and Jack ain't coming back. They both played vital roles in the history of the band. I appreciate that. Thanks for the memories. But Matt Cameron has been the drummer of Pearl Jam for over 10 years now -- the longest to occupy that seat in the history of the band -- and it's high time he gets the recognition that he so richly deserves. He has the mental fortitude to be a consistently AMAZING drummer in a legendary, high-profile rock n' roll band plus the skills to contribute and play just about ANYTHING. In my opinion, game over; end the debate: Matt Cameron is the best.

MattyJoe

I think you guys forget that Dave A played on Vitalogy. Listen to his drumming on that album. Very conservative compared to what he had been doing with all the cymbals and shit (which was good in its own way at the appropriate time). His drumming on Vitalogy was much more simplistic, he really changed with the band. Sometimes I kinda forget that he's the one drumming on that album and not Jack Irons because it's so nice and simple. It was very tasteful. So to say he was too one dimensional and wouldn't change and experiment along with the band is ridiculous. I think he was very professional and had a natural instinct for what was and wasn't appropriate in certain musical circumstances, an essential skill that any musician should have.

Listen to Last Exit from that album and then listen to a Jack Irons version. Dave really drives the band along, he pushes it. Jack Irons is sluggish, he slows the whole thing down.

I'm sorry but Dave A was just a better drummer. More suitable for Pearl Jam. They needed that driving type of drumming to keep the energy up. Jack Irons puts me to sleep.

Listen to Not For You on Vitalogy. He plays it all perfectly simple. Simple beat, minimalist fills, pushes it when he needs to. He really drives the band. Excellent drumming.

Another good one: Tremor Christ. Very tasteful drumming on it. Very simple beat. Simple fills. He leaves plenty of room in the song for it to go where it goes. Doesn't overpower the band but, again, drives them along. Nothingman is also great. Great choice to use brushes. Very musically savvy. Dave A knows what he's doing and this album especially demonstrates that. Listening to it makes me truly sad that he's gone, especially Nothingman. I don't think the band realized how good he really was.

ANOTHER good one: Satan's Bed. Great fills, great beat. Very loose, but energetic. Absolutely perfect. Hear what goes on as the song fades out? Genius.

I say BRING BACK DAVE A IN 09!!! Get rid of robot Cameron.

i like matt.c

bigeye21 wrote:

Matt is great technically but for years I thought of him as Soundgarden's drummer and a Pearl Jam fill-in. I think it took him a while to find his voice within the band and I really came to appreciate his contribution with the last album and tour -- especially vocally. The fact is, Dave ain't coming back and Jack ain't coming back. They both played vital roles in the history of the band. I appreciate that. Thanks for the memories. But Matt Cameron has been the drummer of Pearl Jam for over 10 years now -- the longest to occupy that seat in the history of the band -- and it's high time he gets the recognition that he so richly deserves. He has the mental fortitude to be a consistently AMAZING drummer in a legendary, high-profile rock n' roll band plus the skills to contribute and play just about ANYTHING. In my opinion, game over; end the debate: Matt Cameron is the best.

Well said.

MattyJoe

bigeye21 wrote:

Matt is great technically but for years I thought of him as Soundgarden's drummer and a Pearl Jam fill-in. I think it took him a while to find his voice within the band and I really came to appreciate his contribution with the last album and tour -- especially vocally. The fact is, Dave ain't coming back and Jack ain't coming back. They both played vital roles in the history of the band. I appreciate that. Thanks for the memories. But Matt Cameron has been the drummer of Pearl Jam for over 10 years now -- the longest to occupy that seat in the history of the band -- and it's high time he gets the recognition that he so richly deserves. He has the mental fortitude to be a consistently AMAZING drummer in a legendary, high-profile rock n' roll band plus the skills to contribute and play just about ANYTHING. In my opinion, game over; end the debate: Matt Cameron is the best.

Nope, sorry. Matt Cameron is not nearly as musical as Dave A was. You guys can say whatever the hell you want but it's a fact: Dave A was a better drummer than Matt Cameron. Cameron was good in Soundgarden, he is not good in Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam is too open and loose for Cameron. When they do jams and such, he is very very uncreative and, frankly, boring. He is more oriented to very structured music, like Soundgarden. He is bad at building up and releasing tension (something that makes someone like John Bonham, and Led Zeppelin as a whole, for example, so goddamn good) and he's bad at just opening up and letting things just flow.

tama_drummer91

As far a technical drumming abilities Jack and Matt take the cake by far. Jack was so incredible. He had suck a different style with such a fresh vibe. Truly an incredible drummer with great ideas.

Matt has awesome timing abilities and great ideas as well, but with a totally different vibe. He is much more tighter and more hard rocking than Jack. Much more focused. He creates some really weird timings and he has a hell of a right foot. He can make a single pedal sound like 2 and thats hard to do.

The Dave's in my eyes were nothing except standard hard rock drummers. Dave K. was the worst in my eyes. It is hard to believe anyone would like Dave K over Matt. Dave used the same style in every song. Most of the time use hi hats during the intro and verse and every time the chorus would come in he would play on the ride cymbal. That annoys the shit out of me. Dave A focused too much on being a hard rock drummer and used his crashes way too much. Other than WMA, he lacked creativity. He did have a lot of energy though. I liked that.

To be simple, Jack and Matt were easily PJs best drummers overall.

Smellyman2

MattyJoe wrote:

ANOTHER good one: Satan's Bed. Great fills, great beat. Very loose, but energetic. Absolutely perfect. Hear what goes on as the song fades out? Genius.

I say BRING BACK DAVE A IN 09!!! Get rid of robot Cameron.

Ironically. Wasn't it the drum tech or someone else on Satan's Bed?



Matt is way better live than any of the other drummers which is what makes him perfect. Not many drummers can do the marathon shows PJ does and say sooo strong throughout the tour. Matt is the shit.

Dave A. was good for that era.

Jack was good in studio, but kinda blew live.

MattyJoe

Smellyman wrote:

Ironically. Wasn't it the drum tech or someone else on Satan's Bed?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that story. Damn.

Well the others still hold true.

I_Got_Shit

I don't play drums or anything, so I can't cite any technical evidence to back myself up...but I think it's obvious that the greatest Pearl Jam drummer ever was Matt Chamberlain.

Anyone remember when Dave Grohl was supposed to join the band? That might have been interesting.