Matt Cameron leaves Pearl Jam after 27 years

[dmbrocker]

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, this is definitely the end of an era for PJ:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... 235379681/

[SterileEyes1]

Not surprised. When Taylor Hawkins passed, a bunch of his drummer friends went on record (including Matt) about how difficult it gets to play hard rock drums into older age.

Then in recent years I read things like Charlie Benante warms up his hands for 45-60 minutes before he plays, Lars does 90 minutes of Peloton a day and eats nothing but egg whites and tofu. I can’t think of a major touring rock drummer other than Abe Laboriel Jr who isn’t in Olympic-level physical shape.

When I turned 40 I started getting random pains from drumming in parts of my body where I didn’t even know nerves existed, and I’m in pretty good shape. If I go hard for two hours I’m just wrecked afterward. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to play hard at 60, 4-5 nights per week. Guessing Matt quit for the same reason Herb from Primus did.

[JamesHetfieldsAcneScars]

Tommy Aldridge old ass seems to handle it no problem

[LAglamrocker]

Hey good for him finally achieving his dream gig drumming for Bret Michaels

Going be fun to see him finally happy

[PhrozenInferno]

Lars Ulrich is an Olympic level athlete

[Gibsonite]

I love PJ but I've always thought his playing on their material was boring compared to their previous drummers.

[Anthrax442]

Not surprised. When Taylor Hawkins passed, a bunch of his drummer friends went on record (including Matt) about how difficult it gets to play hard rock drums into older age.

Then in recent years I read things like Charlie Benante warms up his hands for 45-60 minutes before he plays, Lars does 90 minutes of Peloton a day and eats nothing but egg whites and tofu. I can’t think of a major touring rock drummer other than Abe Laboriel Jr who isn’t in Olympic-level physical shape.

When I turned 40 I started getting random pains from drumming in parts of my body where I didn’t even know nerves existed, and I’m in pretty good shape. If I go hard for two hours I’m just wrecked afterward. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to play hard at 60, 4-5 nights per week. Guessing Matt quit for the same reason Herb from Primus did.

I wonder if they'll go for someone younger, or if they'll try to get Jack Irons again?

And yeah, I don't know how those guys do it. It was the same deal with Joey Kramer in Aerosmith, he just couldn't get the job done anymore, but unfortunately he didn't want to go voluntarily. I'm amazed someone like Tommy Aldridge was able to last as long as he did, but even he had some significant injuries towards the end.

[dmbrocker]

Not surprised. When Taylor Hawkins passed, a bunch of his drummer friends went on record (including Matt) about how difficult it gets to play hard rock drums into older age.

Then in recent years I read things like Charlie Benante warms up his hands for 45-60 minutes before he plays, Lars does 90 minutes of Peloton a day and eats nothing but egg whites and tofu. I can’t think of a major touring rock drummer other than Abe Laboriel Jr who isn’t in Olympic-level physical shape.

When I turned 40 I started getting random pains from drumming in parts of my body where I didn’t even know nerves existed, and I’m in pretty good shape. If I go hard for two hours I’m just wrecked afterward. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to play hard at 60, 4-5 nights per week. Guessing Matt quit for the same reason Herb from Primus did.

I wonder if they'll go for someone younger, or if they'll try to get Jack Irons again?

And yeah, I don't know how those guys do it. It was the same deal with Joey Kramer in Aerosmith, he just couldn't get the job done anymore, but unfortunately he didn't want to go voluntarily. I'm amazed someone like Tommy Aldridge was able to last as long as he did, but even he had some significant injuries towards the end.

Yeah, and think about Neil Peart near the end of his time in Rush. It’s amazing he lasted as long as he did considering all the intricate virtuoso-type drumming he’d been doing all his career.

[SterileEyes1]

It was the same deal with Joey Kramer in Aerosmith, he just couldn't get the job done anymore, but unfortunately he didn't want to go voluntarily.

Totally. You just reminded me of what I believe was the last time I saw Joey play drums. It was on one of the big network morning shows, they played outside to promote the Vegas residency. You watch Joey playing Love In An Elevator, and every time he reaches back to hit his cymbals, you can see him wincing in agony. Painful to watch.

[veritas]

Lars Ulrich is an Olympic level athlete

[SexxAtraxxion]

Bring back Dave Abbruzzese please.

Maybe Matt will be busy working on the final Soundgarden album.

[LurkingAtWork]

I love PJ but I've always thought his playing on their material was boring compared to their previous drummers.

This. The guy on the first album was awesome though.

[Traxan]

Yeah, and think about Neil Peart near the end of his time in Rush. It’s amazing he lasted as long as he did considering all the intricate virtuoso-type drumming he’d been doing all his career.

Peart also did himself no favors by riding his motorcycle between gigs. That had to take something out of him. But I also know that he took up weightlifting later in life, right around the time you moved to Santa Monica. You could see it on the Vapor Trails tour that he'd gotten real buff. He frequently talked about working out at the YMCA on his personal site, which seems kind of funny in a city full of celebrity gyms he chose to work out at the most plebeian facility he could find. But I guess that's Neil for you.

I read somewhere that Vinny Coliuta, one of the true great living drummers, is on the bench too with injuries and at his age he's probably not coming back. I don't know how Dave Lombardo, Danny Carey, or for that matter Terry Bozzio do it, especially Bozzio. Have you seen him? No one will confuse him with Danny.

Every time I watch Greyson Nekrutman I think, enjoy your youth, son. He is godly good but won't last playing like that.

[VinnieVincentsVag]

Probably got tired of playing on shitty Vedder songs

[EatTheGlass]

Eric Singer is available.

[PBFSUCKS]

Tommy Aldridge old ass seems to handle it no problem

Tommy Aldridge is a total 70s era man! lol. Looked old at 20, smokes, probably drinks, still has chicks in cities all over the country. An absolute beast!

[ParaDime77]

So Camero takes the Foos gig and Freese takes the PJ job?

[Tommy2Tone84]

Tommy Aldridge old ass seems to handle it no problem

Tommy Aldridge is a total 70s era man! lol. Looked old at 20, smokes, probably drinks, still has chicks in cities all over the country. An absolute beast!

I doubt he smokes anymore. He’s been an avid cyclist for decades.

[Van Ailin']

They didn't take advantage of Matt's singing enough. He could have given Eddie a break, perhaps doing his semi-hit "Puberty Love" once or twice.

[Van Ailin']

Barrett Martin would work in this role.

[risingfarce]

Yeah, and think about Neil Peart near the end of his time in Rush. It’s amazing he lasted as long as he did considering all the intricate virtuoso-type drumming he’d been doing all his career.

Peart also did himself no favors by riding his motorcycle between gigs. That had to take something out of him. But I also know that he took up weightlifting later in life, right around the time you moved to Santa Monica. You could see it on the Vapor Trails tour that he'd gotten real buff. He frequently talked about working out at the YMCA on his personal site, which seems kind of funny in a city full of celebrity gyms he chose to work out at the most plebeian facility he could find. But I guess that's Neil for you.

I read somewhere that Vinny Coliuta, one of the true great living drummers, is on the bench too with injuries and at his age he's probably not coming back. I don't know how Dave Lombardo, Danny Carey, or for that matter Terry Bozzio do it, especially Bozzio. Have you seen him? No one will confuse him with Danny.

Every time I watch Greyson Nekrutman I think, enjoy your youth, son. He is godly good but won't last playing like that.

He had foot infections due to his feet getting wet while he drove his motorcycle between shows. He shouldn't have been riding his motorcycle. Save that for after the tour. The gig should have been his focus, not his bike. Also, sitting on a bike for that many hours put wear on his body. He should have either been flying first class or traveled via RV.

[HottKarl777]

Tommy looks better today than he did in Clash of the Titans 44 years ago to be honest.

[Van Ailin']

An older drummer still playing fantastically well is Simon Phillips. But of course, he's not the right sound for Pearl Jam. I would like Pearl Jam to have a bit "groovier" drummer again. Krusen brought a bit of that. Abbruzesse was more funk and rock and less impressionistic, but I liked both those guys better than Jack (who I found a bit boring). Matt was OK in that role, and their last album was one of their best.

[LAglamrocker]

This can’t be real- this must be a joke- please make it stop
The legendary drummer on Avocado album is going to be gone?

All those classics like Big Wave and Marker In The Sand
definitely needs this “drummer”

Glad he escaped Pearl Jam hope he enjoys his freedom

If he needs a life coach I am available- I won’t even charge him

[CrankerBait]

Yeah, and think about Neil Peart near the end of his time in Rush. It’s amazing he lasted as long as he did considering all the intricate virtuoso-type drumming he’d been doing all his career.

Peart also did himself no favors by riding his motorcycle between gigs. That had to take something out of him. But I also know that he took up weightlifting later in life, right around the time you moved to Santa Monica. You could see it on the Vapor Trails tour that he'd gotten real buff. He frequently talked about working out at the YMCA on his personal site, which seems kind of funny in a city full of celebrity gyms he chose to work out at the most plebeian facility he could find. But I guess that's Neil for you.

I read somewhere that Vinny Coliuta, one of the true great living drummers, is on the bench too with injuries and at his age he's probably not coming back. I don't know how Dave Lombardo, Danny Carey, or for that matter Terry Bozzio do it, especially Bozzio. Have you seen him? No one will confuse him with Danny.

Every time I watch Greyson Nekrutman I think, enjoy your youth, son. He is godly good but won't last playing like that.

He had foot infections due to his feet getting wet while he drove his motorcycle between shows. He shouldn't have been riding his motorcycle. Save that for after the tour. The gig should have been his focus, not his bike. Also, sitting on a bike for that many hours put wear on his body. He should have either been flying first class or traveled via RV.

I agree that it wasn't good for his physical health as a drummer, especially a drummer who played like he did, but I don't know if he would have done it any other way. Apparently, for his mental and emotional health, riding his motorcycle made touring bearable. Kind of like therapy, especially for a guy lost his daughter and first wife in the space of a year or so. Also an ideal way to travel from gig to gig and being able to avoid press, autograph seekers, and other distractions not related to the actual work on stage. Supposedly, he was seldom recognized in off the beaten path truck stops and diners in America and Canada, which suited him just fine. Peart flew when he had to, but grew to fear/hate flying as he got older. Geddy's book touches on some of this.

[richard cranium]

I agree that it wasn't good for his physical health as a drummer, especially a drummer who played like he did, but I don't know if he would have done it any other way. Apparently, for his mental and emotional health, riding his motorcycle made touring bearable. Kind of like therapy, especially for a guy lost his daughter and first wife in the space of a year or so. Also an ideal way to travel from gig to gig and being able to avoid press, autograph seekers, and other distractions not related to the actual work on stage. Supposedly, he was seldom recognized in off the beaten path truck stops and diners in America and Canada, which suited him just fine. Peart flew when he had to, but grew to fear/hate flying as he got older. Geddy's book touches on some of this.

They didn't really have a choice either. Neil insisted that he toured by motorcycle or he stayed home and there was no tour.

[Traxan]

I agree that it wasn't good for his physical health as a drummer, especially a drummer who played like he did, but I don't know if he would have done it any other way. Apparently, for his mental and emotional health, riding his motorcycle made touring bearable. Kind of like therapy, especially for a guy lost his daughter and first wife in the space of a year or so. Also an ideal way to travel from gig to gig and being able to avoid press, autograph seekers, and other distractions not related to the actual work on stage. Supposedly, he was seldom recognized in off the beaten path truck stops and diners in America and Canada, which suited him just fine. Peart flew when he had to, but grew to fear/hate flying as he got older. Geddy's book touches on some of this.

He was 63 years old on the last tour playing a 2+ hour set. He needed to acknowledge reality and at some point think of the tour.

I think his fear of flying was longer than just recently. Ged mentioned it as the reason the band didn't want to go back to Japan after 1984. Well, that and the run in with the Yakuza.