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Matt Cameron caused a big surprise in the rock world last week, When he announced his exit from Pearl Jam after 27 years. “I did my last steps from the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” he wrote. “I am the crew, the team and the fans all over the world grateful. It was an incredible journey. More follows.”
Friendly farewell – but no explanation
There is no reason to assume that Cameron’s farewell is something other than friendly. The band members hugged him after a champagne toast at the last Pearl-Jam concert in Pittsburghs PPG Paints Arena on May 18. In retrospect, the short North America Arena tour appears like a friendly farewell party for the long-term drummer at the beginning of the year. However, the public has not yet been informed of why Cameron left the band. He also did not comment on his future plans.
In a new Instagram story on his official account, however, Cameron made it clear that the fans have not yet seen the last of him. “Thanks for the kind words and your support,” he wrote, “and only to clarify: I am still an active musician.”
Soundgarden project in view?
What this means in concrete terms is currently unclear. But the remaining members of Soundgarden now have the last vocal traces of Chris Cornell, and they have spoken several times about making the band’s final album.
“Our goal was always to complete that,” Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil told Rolling Stone in May. “I am probably compulsive enough to leave it not unfortunate, so I think the more we devote ourselves to our work and our catalog … it would be a great gift for the fans. And I think, and I don’t know how strange that sounds, but I also see it as a gift of Chris.”
Soundgarden originally stood on the line-up for the “Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning” party concert, but did not appear there. “We are very disappointed and regret that we could not coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to take part in the festival,” wrote the band in a statement on Instagram. “The warmth, love and support of the Black Sabbath team was a constant source of encouragement and strength throughout our career.”
Chance for the reunion: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On November 8th, however, a new opportunity for reunification could be offered if Soundgarden is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “It seems that the invitation is there,” said Thayil. “It is up to the Hall as it designs her program, but we would love to play there.”
Pearl Jam, on the other hand, has not yet announced how it should continue without Cameron. Some fans dream that after more than 30 years of radio silence, the band will again contact Dave Bubruzzese, who was sitting on the drums during the vs./vitalogy era. But in a Facebook post, bruzzese made it clear that this was very unlikely.
“The fact that I had no personal contact with one of them makes me believe that the water under the bridge is too deep and too icy that there could be a reconciliation or reconciliation,” he wrote. “It’s a shame and makes me very sad. I know that I could contribute a lot – and would – if the call would come, but unfortunately I don’t see that.”
“Animal” video causes a sensation
He also asked the fans not to ask him further to contact Pearl Jam’s management. “I understand and appreciate your wish to see what could be created musically from such a reunion,” he wrote. “I would lie if I said that I wasn’t curious too.”
For everyone who would like to imagine what it would be like to see Abbruzzese again at a Pearl-Jam song, he posted a new video on Facebook at the weekend, in which he played his original drumpart to “Animal”. Even if he does not contact the band directly, this could be his way to show that he still has the skill – for the highly unlikely case that the band will turn to him.