What to know about Pearl Jam’s drummer search
- Drummer search: Pearl Jam has not chosen a permanent replacement for Matt Cameron.
- Abe Laboriel Jr.: The drummer performed with Pearl Jam in September, but Jeff Ament described him as sitting in rather than confirming him as a band member.
- Future shows: Pearl Jam wants to play shows next year, though the band is not rushing its decision about a new drummer.
- Matt Cameron: Ament called Cameron’s departure sad and said Cameron had been considering winding things down.
Pearl Jam’s drummer search is ongoing: the band has not decided who will permanently replace longtime drummer Matt Cameron. Jeff Ament said Pearl Jam wants to play shows next year but is not in a rush to make the appointment.
In September, the grunge icons played their first gig since Cameron’s departure in 2025. Abe Laboriel Jr., Paul McCartney’s drummer for more than 25 years, played with the band, leading many to assume he had joined Pearl Jam’s lineup.
After the performance, frontman Eddie Vedder thanked Laboriel for “sitting in,” a comment that left the drummer’s status unclear.
In a recent conversation with Under the Radar magazine, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament praised Laboriel as “such an incredible drummer” and confirmed the search for Cameron’s permanent replacement is still underway.
READ MORE: The Best Song From Every Pearl Jam Album
“We’re not in any massive rush but we want to play some shows next year,” Ament explained. He said he feels some urgency to perform while the band members are “physically young-ish,” adding, “I’m 63, but I’m pretty fit. I think I can act like a young foolish guy up there for a few more years.”
Why did Matt Cameron leave Pearl Jam?
Matt Cameron left Pearl Jam after 27 years, and Ament described the departure as “a pretty f—ing sad moment.” Ament also said Cameron’s decision did not come as a surprise.
Ament connected Cameron’s feelings about continuing to play with the loss of Chris: “I think when Chris [Cornell] passed that was a massive hit for all of us, but in particular for Matt.” Ament said Cameron had spent time unsure whether he wanted to play at all and had talked about winding things down and pursuing other interests.
Pearl Jam has no remaining performances on its schedule. Eddie Vedder has two solo shows in Brazil later this month, while Ament recently released his first photography book, Since Forever, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the band’s history.
Pearl Jam Albums Ranked
Pearl Jam survived the grunge era and became one of the notable rock ’n’ roll bands of the new century.
Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci
What did Jeff Ament say about Pearl Jam’s new drummer?
Jeff Ament said Pearl Jam has not selected Matt Cameron’s permanent replacement and is not rushing the decision. He praised Abe Laboriel Jr.’s drumming after Laboriel performed with the band.
Pearl Jam’s drummer search remains open while the band considers future performances.
Will Abe Laboriel Jr. become Pearl Jam’s drummer?
Abe Laboriel Jr. has not been confirmed as Pearl Jam’s permanent drummer. Eddie Vedder thanked him for “sitting in,” and Jeff Ament said the band is still searching for Cameron’s replacement.
Laboriel’s performance did not establish that he had joined Pearl Jam.
When does Pearl Jam want to play again?
Pearl Jam wants to play shows next year, according to Ament, although the band is not in a rush to decide on its next drummer.
The band’s stated aim is to return to performing next year.
