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Dave Abbruzzese Statement on The Drummer Situation

HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,438
in The Porch

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18EBxHXFQk/


Due to the announcement of the mighty Matt Cameron choosing to step down from the throne he has had for the past 27 years, there has been much talk of my drumming, and the what if and would may never be, of late...I thought I would take the opportunity to share some recent and past works with all of you that have bombarded my Facebook & Instagram pages with literally 1000's of posts, messages and emails, hoping I would call Pearl Jam and attempt to reconcile with them.  To be clear, I have nothing to reconcile with them about.   My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band's management and the band's old label that made things challenging for me weren't completely my doing.  With the exceptions of some petty comments and actions that I never quite understood or expected, I have never placed blame and harbored resentments towards the members of the band.I have been blessed to have participated in some remarkable musical projects with remarkable people over the last 30 post Pearl Jam years.  Although I never truly understood what was so important to destroy the musical chemistry we had back then, it is what it is, and I can't do anything about it.  At least nothing that I can figure out.  The years since 1995 have served me well towards growing as a person and a player.It seems the guys in the band matured and grew up as much as I did, but the fact that I haven't had any personal contact with any of them leads me to believe the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy for there to be any reconnection or reconciliation.This is a shame and saddens me, greatly.I know I could and would have much to contribute if indeed the call came, but sadly, I don't see that happening.I have been involved in so many wonder-filled projects.  The production of The Green Romance Orchestra albums with my dear family of Gary J. Muller , Paul Slavens , Doug Neil , Darrell Phillips, Jimmy Shoaf and the extraordinary mastering engineer and one of my best friends Joe Gastwirt , all near and dear to my heart.  Working with Roger Hodgson of Supertramp fame, and getting to form and maintain loving relationships with Rogers lovely family, Heidi Hodgson and Andrew Hodgson.  G & R. Working with Eddie Kramer , Noel Redding, William Cox, Doug Pinnick , Corey Cornell James Glover and Eric Schenkman ...  Some co-production, drumming and mixing for albums by Stevie Salas that introduced me to my brothers Bernard Fowler , Tm Stevens, Jara Harris Melvin Jr. Brannon, Kevin W Smith,  Vincent Ruby p. Huxley Jamie Seyberth, Matt Sorum .. and the joys of touring performing live music with the IMFs. Working with the incomparable Waddy Wachtel  Carmine Rojas , Reeves Gabriel, Rick The Bass Player, & Robi Banerji .  Mr. Peter Cornell , who I had the fortune of working on some touch up mixes for Peter, Joseph Shaughnessy and Will Evankovich when they were a band named Grace.  My heroes, Mike Dillon , JJ Jungle  , Zac Baird, John IV Speice gathering at my studio in Seattle's Magnolia district for the HABMX "Out Demons" album. Jeff Fielder, Zach Harjo  Perry Morgan , John Bush  and the Speakeasy Junction jams.  Peter Cornell's "Champion" album.  Pseutopia music with Shyam Narayan  , Laji George  & Mithun Raju  . The Shy Blossom album.  Countless one off tracks. Carlos Garcia-Menocal. The works with John X Volaitis , Scott Reeder and Royston Langdon.  Not to mention the great times shared with working on quarantine jams with an incredibly talented line up of Marcus Nand , Carmine Rojas, Bernard Fowler, Cici Von Strangelove ,  Eric Schenkman  , Benny Goodman, Jeff Fielder, James Mauri, Shani Kimelman , Aubrey Seaton  , Lynn Seaton  , Rob van den Biggelaar  Taryn Taryn  , Joanna Connor , Jeff Nolan  , Jeff Weiss, Charlie Berezansky , Daniel James, Jim Regan , Brian Dahlen  ... Stacy Hogan & Sin SHAKE Sin.Contributing drum tracks for the album by the exceptional Joanna Connor.The Lost Symphony with Jimi Bell , Brian Goodman , Benny Goodman , Siobhán Cronin | Violinist  Joey Concepcion, and a cast of exceptionally talented players. The time shared writing and planning with my friend Shawn Smith  before his untimely passing.   And so many more...Plus add to that the personal aspects of my life, blessed with a beautiful and talented daughter... overcoming substance abuse, embracing insanity and coming out on the other side, working in the field of recovery, legal issues, a failed marriage... Needless to say, music is still very important and a continued passion without any doubt.My drumming and passion for giving it my all is still as powerful as ever.I wish Pearl Jam and its organization continued success and I do hope that there will come a day that we can again connect on some level.  All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management.  I appreciate and understand your desire to see what could come out of that reunion musically.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious, also.   With much love and appreciation,               DavePS...all of you music "news" sites, if you're going to use this message as click bait, please post it in its entirety.
Hugh Freaking Dillon is currently out of the office, returning sometime in the fall




«1345

Comments

  • pjl44pjl44 Posts: 10,485
    40 years ago: Man, why can't [band] work out their shit, rediscover friendship, and play rock n' roll again?

    Today, with the world wide web: Ah yes I see ok
  • Lost In OhioLost In Ohio Posts: 7,228
    All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management. 

    He is warning you with peace and love. Please stop contacting him about contacting Pearl Jam management. If it mentions Pearl Jam or their management, it is going to be tossed. Anyway, peace and love peace and love.
    Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
  • Shaindli1Shaindli1 MA Posts: 2,284
    He’s been posting several old PJ videos in the past few hours.
    #Grievance2025 
  • tino_11tino_11 Posts: 2,178
    He clearly wants in but knows it’s highly unlikely to happen. It’s a real shame how things went back then but I think he’s being too kind blaming it all on management and record labels. 
    'F*** the pessimists. F*** 'em.' Eddie Vedder
  • KidAOKKidAOK Posts: 118
    Telling that his statement about very little is 5 times the length of the Matt Camerons PJ retirement statement.  Me me me.
  • T-Bone 82T-Bone 82 Posts: 421
    Completely unnecessary statement which was only done to create drama and/or a lame attempt to get the band to reach out to him.

    I don't know the man and I really appreciated him as a great drummer, but he seems like an awful lot of drama. 
    "Darkness comes in waves, tell me, why invite it to stay?"
  • ForceofNature101ForceofNature101 Posts: 1,293
    I can imagine the Onion article about this:

    "Guy fired from Pearl Jam releases a statement about the guy who retired from Pearl Jam that reiterates why he got fired from Pearl Jam"
  • jwhjr17jwhjr17 Posts: 2,064
    My old eyes can't read that with the underline under the entire thing.  That's ok, guessing I would be wasting my time anyways.
    1998-06-30 Mpls | 2006-07-06 Las Vegas | 2010-05-03 Kansas City | 2011-07-01 St. Louis EV | 2011-07-02 Mpls EV | 2011-09-03 PJ20
    2011-09-04 PJ20 | 2011-09-17 Winnipeg | 2012-09-30 Missoula | 2012-11-18 Tulsa EV | 2013-07-19 Chicago | 2013-11-15 Dallas
    2013-11-16 OKC | 2014-10-09 Lincoln | 2014-10-17 Moline | 2014-10-19 St. Paul | 2014-10-20 Milwaukee | 2016-08-20 Chicago
    2016-08-22 Chicago | 2018-08-18 Chicago | 2018-08-20 Chicago | 2022-05-09 Phoenix | 2022-05-20 Las Vegas | 2022-09-18 St. Louis 
    2022-09-20 OKC | 2023-08-31 St. Paul | 2023-09-02 St. Paul | 2024-05-16 Las Vegas | 2024-05-18 Las Vegas | 2024-08-31 Chicago
  • SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 Posts: 26,988
    The band clearly doesn't want anything to do with him.  We need a happy PJ or there will be no PJ.  Wish we could all move on and forget about Dave A. 
    severed hand thirteen
    2006: Gorge 7/23 2008: Hartford 6/27 Beacon 7/1 2009: Spectrum 10/30-31
    2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
    2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
    2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
    2017: RRHoF 4/7   2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4   2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18 
    2022: MSG 9/11  2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
    2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
  • Go AnimalGo Animal Posts: 7,329
    Lost In Ohio said:
    All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management. 

    He is warning you with peace and love. Please stop contacting him about contacting Pearl Jam management. If it mentions Pearl Jam or their management, it is going to be tossed. Anyway, peace and love peace and love.
    Stellar Ringo reference 👌 
    PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 & 05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01 & 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles (Inglewood) I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18 & 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16 & 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II, 08/29 & 08/31/24: Wrigley Field I & II, 09/03 & 09/04/24: MSG I & II, 09/27 & 09/29/24: Ohana Festival I & II

    EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival

    Song Wishlist: Alone, Let Me Sleep, Brother, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, and the Mamasan Trilogy.

    Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08        ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
  • seanclaxseanclax Posts: 576
    Yawn
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,329
    I can see why the band hasn't reached out in 30-some years.  I like(d) Dave as a drummer, but everytime I would see him speak about anything, 99% of what he said was about himself and would list the verbal resume of how great he is.  Guy is a magnet for drama.  
    I think that is what made Matt so great in so many ways.  Great drummer, and just a cool laid back dude.  
  • sociopearljamsociopearljam Posts: 59
    This guy is a fucking clown. I get that it must have been tough getting fired from such a big time band because of your personality. It happens though. Dave A. was a shotgun marriage all along. 
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,497
    tino_11 said:
    He clearly wants in but knows it’s highly unlikely to happen. It’s a real shame how things went back then but I think he’s being too kind blaming it all on management and record labels. 
    He thinks he was blackballed from playing in other bands, which is what the references to management and record labels is about. 
  • Shaindli1Shaindli1 MA Posts: 2,284
    No need to shit on him. 
    We all understand why it’s not going to be him and it’s not all on him.
    #Grievance2025 
  • JG242853JG242853 Posts: 218
    Shaindli1 said:
    No need to shit on him. 
    We all understand why it’s not going to be him and it’s not all on him.
    Well put 
    Randall's Island, NY 9/29/1996, Randall's Island, NY 6/8/1997 (Ed and Mike), Jones Beach, NY 8/23/2000, Los Angeles, CA  7/10/2006, Hartford, CT 6/27/2008, Los Angeles, CA 10/6/2009, San Diego, CA 11/21/2013, Los Angeles, CA 11/24/2013, MSG, NY 5/1/2016, Seattle, WA 8/10/2018, Los Angeles, CA 5/6/2022, Los Angeles, CA 5/7/2022, Camden, NJ 9/14/2022, St Paul 8/31/2023, St Paul 9/2/2023, Las Vegas 5/18/24, MSG NY 9/3/24, Philadelphia PA 9/9/24, Ohana CA 9/27/24, Atlanta, GA 4/29/25, Pittsburgh, PA 5/16/25, Pittsburgh, PA 5/18/25
  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,913
    This is another reason that confirms the band moving on from him was the best choice.  He is just not on the same page as the rest of the guys.  When have we ever seen or heard Ed, Stone, Matt, Mike or Jeff get on social media and just start spewing out internal business or opinions.  The band keeps a low profile (as low as rock stars can) and does not like drama or bullshit.  Dave A seems to need a little chaos in his life every once in a while.  He’s just not a good fit personality wise with the rest of the guys. 
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 (#25) | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh


  • CopperTomCopperTom Posts: 3,143
    tldr
    http://www.livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=28
  • pjl44pjl44 Posts: 10,485
    Shaindli1 said:
    No need to shit on him. 
    We all understand why it’s not going to be him and it’s not all on him.
    Counterpoint: He's been a bit of a bomb-thrower over the years and that will polarize responses to your public posts 
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 21,968
    sociopearljam said:
    This guy is a fucking clown. I get that it must have been tough getting fired from such a big time band because of your personality. It happens though. Dave A. was a shotgun marriage all along. 
    He's also a great drummer that put a lot of solid work into PJ
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • pjhawkspjhawks Posts: 12,900
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18EBxHXFQk/


    Due to the announcement of the mighty Matt Cameron choosing to step down from the throne he has had for the past 27 years, there has been much talk of my drumming, and the what if and would may never be, of late...
    I thought I would take the opportunity to share some recent and past works with all of you that have bombarded my Facebook & Instagram pages with literally 1000's of posts, messages and emails, hoping I would call Pearl Jam and attempt to reconcile with them.  To be clear, I have nothing to reconcile with them about.
       My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band's management and the band's old label that made things challenging for me weren't completely my doing.  With the exceptions of some petty comments and actions that I never quite understood or expected, I have never placed blame and harbored resentments towards the members of the band.
    I have been blessed to have participated in some remarkable musical projects with remarkable people over the last 30 post Pearl Jam years.  Although I never truly understood what was so important to destroy the musical chemistry we had back then, it is what it is, and I can't do anything about it.  At least nothing that I can figure out.  The years since 1995 have served me well towards growing as a person and a player.
    It seems the guys in the band matured and grew up as much as I did, but the fact that I haven't had any personal contact with any of them leads me to believe the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy for there to be any reconnection or reconciliation.
    This is a shame and saddens me, greatly.
    I know I could and would have much to contribute if indeed the call came, but sadly, I don't see that happening.
    I have been involved in so many wonder-filled projects.  The production of The Green Romance Orchestra albums with my dear family of Gary J. Muller , Paul Slavens , Doug Neil , Darrell Phillips, Jimmy Shoaf and the extraordinary mastering engineer and one of my best friends Joe Gastwirt , all near and dear to my heart.  Working with Roger Hodgson of Supertramp fame, and getting to form and maintain loving relationships with Rogers lovely family, Heidi Hodgson and Andrew Hodgson.  G & R. Working with Eddie Kramer , Noel Redding, William Cox, Doug Pinnick , Corey Cornell James Glover and Eric Schenkman ...  Some co-production, drumming and mixing for albums by Stevie Salas that introduced me to my brothers Bernard Fowler , Tm Stevens, Jara Harris Melvin Jr. Brannon, Kevin W Smith,  Vincent Ruby p. Huxley Jamie Seyberth, Matt Sorum .. and the joys of touring performing live music with the IMFs. Working with the incomparable Waddy Wachtel  Carmine Rojas , Reeves Gabriel, Rick The Bass Player, & Robi Banerji .  Mr. Peter Cornell , who I had the fortune of working on some touch up mixes for Peter, Joseph Shaughnessy and Will Evankovich when they were a band named Grace.  My heroes, Mike Dillon , JJ Jungle  , Zac Baird, John IV Speice gathering at my studio in Seattle's Magnolia district for the HABMX "Out Demons" album. Jeff Fielder, Zach Harjo  Perry Morgan , John Bush  and the Speakeasy Junction jams.  Peter Cornell's "Champion" album.  Pseutopia music with Shyam Narayan  , Laji George  & Mithun Raju  . The Shy Blossom album.  Countless one off tracks. Carlos Garcia-Menocal. The works with John X Volaitis , Scott Reeder and Royston Langdon.  Not to mention the great times shared with working on quarantine jams with an incredibly talented line up of Marcus Nand , Carmine Rojas, Bernard Fowler, Cici Von Strangelove ,  Eric Schenkman  , Benny Goodman, Jeff Fielder, James Mauri, Shani Kimelman , Aubrey Seaton  , Lynn Seaton  , Rob van den Biggelaar  Taryn Taryn  , Joanna Connor , Jeff Nolan  , Jeff Weiss, Charlie Berezansky , Daniel James, Jim Regan , Brian Dahlen  ... Stacy Hogan & Sin SHAKE Sin.
    Contributing drum tracks for the album by the exceptional Joanna Connor.
    The Lost Symphony with Jimi Bell , Brian Goodman , Benny Goodman , Siobhán Cronin | Violinist  Joey Concepcion, and a cast of exceptionally talented players. The time shared writing and planning with my friend Shawn Smith  before his untimely passing.
       And so many more...
    Plus add to that the personal aspects of my life, blessed with a beautiful and talented daughter... overcoming substance abuse, embracing insanity and coming out on the other side, working in the field of recovery, legal issues, a failed marriage... 
    Needless to say, music is still very important and a continued passion without any doubt.
    My drumming and passion for giving it my all is still as powerful as ever.
    I wish Pearl Jam and its organization continued success and I do hope that there will come a day that we can again connect on some level.  All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management. 
     I appreciate and understand your desire to see what could come out of that reunion musically.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious, also.
       With much love and appreciation,
                   Dave
    PS...all of you music "news" sites, if you're going to use this message as click bait, please post it in its entirety.

    he needs an advisor to tell him to just shut his mouth.  yapping about being fired 30 years ago doesn't help his cause.
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,089
    Dude was in the band for three years over thirty years ago. Let it go.   
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 9,157
    mcgruff10 said:
    Dude was in the band for three years over thirty years ago. Let it go.   
    For real. He’s also the least interesting drummer they had imo. 
  • OceansJennyOceansJenny Manhattan, NY Posts: 3,409
    Did the dude just list out all his credits? 😂
    DC '03 - Reading '04 - Philly '05 - Camden 1 '06 - DC '06 - E. Rutherford '06 - The Vic '07 - Lollapalooza '07 - DC '08 - EV DC 1 & 2 '08 (Met Ed!!) - EV Baltimore 1 & 2 '09 - EV NYC 1 '11 (Met Ed!) - Hartford '13 - GCF '15 - MSG 2 '16 - TOTD MSG '16 - Boston 1 & 2 '18 - SHN '21 - EV NYC 1 & 2 '22 - MSG '22
  • YourDirtisMyfoodYourDirtisMyfood Boston Posts: 4,668
    Lost In Ohio said:
    All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management. 

    He is warning you with peace and love. Please stop contacting him about contacting Pearl Jam management. If it mentions Pearl Jam or their management, it is going to be tossed. Anyway, peace and love peace and love.
    Remember hearing that on the Stern Show.
  • pjl44pjl44 Posts: 10,485
    OceansJenny said:
    Did the dude just list out all his credits? 😂
    Today was a bonanza for whomever keeps up his Wikipedia oage
  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,420
    The firing of Dave A. Will probably go down as the biggest unanswered question in PJ history.

    we’ve had clues, quotes, and breadcrumbs.  But after 30 years I still don’t know what the fuck really happened!?


  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,497
    mr bungle said:
    The firing of Dave A. Will probably go down as the biggest unanswered question in PJ history.

    we’ve had clues, quotes, and breadcrumbs.  But after 30 years I still don’t know what the fuck really happened!?


    Dave’s answered it for us. 
  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,420
    Go Beavers said:
    mr bungle said:
    The firing of Dave A. Will probably go down as the biggest unanswered question in PJ history.

    we’ve had clues, quotes, and breadcrumbs.  But after 30 years I still don’t know what the fuck really happened!?


    Dave’s answered it for us. 
    What’s the reason?
  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,420
    pjl44 said:
    OceansJenny said:
    Did the dude just list out all his credits? 😂
    Today was a bonanza for whomever keeps up his Wikipedia oage
    Yeah that was pretty comprehensive!  Maybe they let AI write it?!
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