Matt leaving the band

yosi · July 15

pjl44 said:

Saw that first post-Layne AIC tour and it was not for me. Have seen Puciato do the Layne parts on JC solo tours and that is very much for me.

Was too big of a Weiland fan to bother with any of the newer STP stuff.

Would absolutely give a new hypothetical Soundgarden a chance.

I was a huge STP fan, even before I was super into Pearl Jam, and I have to say, the first record after Scott died with Jeff Gutt was really solid. I haven’t seen them live post-Scott, so I can’t comment there, but I’d check out the record.

As for Matt doing SG at this point, I can see it happening, but don’t think that would be the reason he’d leave Pearl Jam. Neither of them will be so active that he’d have to leave. I just think, like many others have said, he’s done with that kind of life and will be doing smaller projects closer to home.

Gern Blansten · July 15

mace1229 said:

A big difference between SG and the other bands is wasn’t Chris the main writer for soundgarden?
Hard to replace both the main person behind the music and the voice. STP and AIC was different.
Although, I’d see any of them if it was local. Still would be good, just not the same. I Wanted to see AIC a few times, but was out of town when they came by.

Chris was the main writer but Ben Shepherd wrote a ton of SG songs....BUT....I am more interested in SG's catalog rather than anything new. If SG has an album of previously unreleased tracks (i.e. a Lost Dogs type release) and someone else joins in to sing them that would be as good as we can get I think.

SG was like PJ in the sense that you get a new record and then look to see who wrote what.

josevolution · July 15

Gern Blansten said:

mace1229 said:

A big difference between SG and the other bands is wasn’t Chris the main writer for soundgarden?
Hard to replace both the main person behind the music and the voice. STP and AIC was different.
Although, I’d see any of them if it was local. Still would be good, just not the same. I Wanted to see AIC a few times, but was out of town when they came by.

Chris was the main writer but Ben Shepherd wrote a ton of SG songs....BUT....I am more interested in SG's catalog rather than anything new. If SG has an album of previously unreleased tracks (i.e. a Lost Dogs type release) and someone else joins in to sing them that would be as good as we can get I think.

SG was like PJ in the sense that you get a new record and then look to see who wrote what.

Would anyone here be able to tell who the band is if they debuted a new singer without you knowing and someone played you a new SG tune? Without telling you who it was? I bet most wouldn’t

NWOntario · July 16

nautical_disaster said:

I just happen to be listening to a Canadian Indie / Rock mix today and Big Wreck came on...man that dude was def a fan of CC - maybe too on the nose to be a SG singer.

I don't know how else to put this - but like, Ian Thornley sounds more like Chris Cornell than Chris Cornell sounded like himself towards the end. I agree that he's too on the nose to be Soundgarden's singer, but if the other band members felt like doing that, they'd literally only need to make one call.

nautical_disaster · July 16

NWOntario said:

nautical_disaster said:

I just happen to be listening to a Canadian Indie / Rock mix today and Big Wreck came on...man that dude was def a fan of CC - maybe too on the nose to be a SG singer.

I don't know how else to put this - but like, Ian Thornley sounds more like Chris Cornell than Chris Cornell sounded like himself towards the end. I agree that he's too on the nose to be Soundgarden's singer, but if the other band members felt like doing that, they'd literally only need to make one call.

RIght?? The first time i heard "albatross" I was initially 100% convinced that it was a new song by Chris.

on2legs · July 16

The singer from the STP side project… One More Satellite has some very real CC vibes.

kmcmanus · July 16

Given the number of “how can there be Soundgarden without Chris? I refuse to acknowledge new AIC/STP” posts, here’s some clarity:
SG had started work on an album when CC passed away. CC had a home studio and was known for making high quality demos. After a lengthy legal kerfuffle these demos have been given to the band by agreement with the estate (you-know-who). So there are CC SG songs that were written by the band and vocal demo’d by CC. The other 3 guys will now finish the album using these recordings. The rumor was that there are 6 to 8 songs they have good enough demo’s to finish and it’s possible more may be useable. I’d imagine this will be a difficult and emotional process.for the guys (look at any interview with Deftones about Chi Cheng and the unfinished Eros for example) so who knows how long it will take but it won’t be “normal” studio sessions I’m sure.
i have heard no mention of tours, new singers, etc although perhaps that changes down the road, but the current talk is referring to finishing the last CC album.

DM282158 · July 16

Thinking back to the listening party for Dark Matter and I had read a quote from Eddie saying Dark Matter would be their last one. He was saying it semi-jokingly, sorta tongue in cheek. But maybe Matt had said “I’ll do the DM stuff but that’s it”. Just spit balling… but maybe he meant it as the last one with Matt.

Merkin Baller · July 16

My theory is they knew throughout the whole Dark Matter era that it would be their last go around w/ Matt.

OfThePearl · July 16

I think so too. Comments were made indicating that there was an intentional focus on Matt (and Mike leads), from the beginning of DM sessions.

igotid88 · July 18

https://youtu.be/ijrgpMiluRY?si=XMj0uNlYaGO3PJau

pearldavidson · July 18

mace1229 said:

A big difference between SG and the other bands is wasn’t Chris the main writer for soundgarden?
Hard to replace both the main person behind the music and the voice. STP and AIC was different.
Although, I’d see any of them if it was local. Still would be good, just not the same. I Wanted to see AIC a few times, but was out of town when they came by.

This right here. I always believed AIC is Jerry's band, just like I believe Soundgarden is Chris's band.

demetrios · July 18

igotid88 said:

https://youtu.be/ijrgpMiluRY?si=XMj0uNlYaGO3PJau

Thanks!

trees · 3:49AM

Gern Blansten said:

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.

Me 2

Lerxst1992 · 2:13PM

pjl44 said:

Saw that first post-Layne AIC tour and it was not for me. Have seen Puciato do the Layne parts on JC solo tours and that is very much for me.

Was too big of a Weiland fan to bother with any of the newer STP stuff.

Would absolutely give a new hypothetical Soundgarden a chance.

I recall AIC opened for that STP/Guns..velvet revolver? AIC opened for them at Jones Beach at that time no one really heard William sing nor knew what to expect. AIC had slightly larger than a typical opener audience and was a homhim feel at the outset , and after one song, most fans gravitated closer to the stage. Those in stadium to first few rows and everyone in the orchestra close to the stage.

The place then lit with emotion and excitement, as they passed their audition on the spot. They’d be popular. But, ymmv.

pjl44 · 2:15PM

Lerxst1992 said:

pjl44 said:

Saw that first post-Layne AIC tour and it was not for me. Have seen Puciato do the Layne parts on JC solo tours and that is very much for me.

Was too big of a Weiland fan to bother with any of the newer STP stuff.

Would absolutely give a new hypothetical Soundgarden a chance.

I recall AIC opened for that STP/Guns..velvet revolver? AIC opened for them at Jones Beach at that time no one really heard William sing nor knew what to expect. AIC had slightly larger than a typical opener audience and was a homhim feel at the outset , and after one song, most fans gravitated closer to the stage. Those in stadium to first few rows and everyone in the orchestra close to the stage.

The place then lit with emotion and excitement, as they passed their audition on the spot. They’d be popular. But, ymmv.

The show I saw was a headliner at a 2,500 cap club in Boston. Enough people seem to be totally into it which is fine by me and great for them. Just not my thing.