Original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen has opened up about the possibility of rejoining Pearl Jam following Matt Cameron’s departure from the band, in an interview shared on The Lil Podcast That Could.
Krusen was asked whether Cameron’s exit had sparked any thoughts of reaching back out to the band he originally drummed for. When questioned about whether there was “that inkling of like ‘maybe I should make that call to Jeff Ament again'” following Cameron’s departure, Krusen revealed that conversations have already taken place.
“No, they know — like we actually talked about, you know, they were like, yeah, maybe we’ll do it again sometime,” Krusen said. “And I have some emails from a few of those guys. It’s like, let’s come — I’m home. Like come on, let’s go.”
Krusen went on to express his enthusiasm for what a potential reunion could sound like, while keeping his expectations measured.
“So if we do it, it’d be great. If not, it’s fine,” he continued. “But I just think it would sound — I really want to see what it would sound like. I think it would sound, you know, pretty cool.”
He also noted that the lines of communication with the band remain open, including a recent conversation with frontman Eddie Vedder.
“I mention things. It’s not like, you know, I throw stuff out there,” Krusen added. “I talked to Eddie like two weeks ago. We were talking about mandolins and baseball. So, I’m like, ‘Come on, you know, that would be cool.’ Yeah, that would be so rad.”
Krusen’s renewed interest in Pearl Jam carries particular weight given his unique place in the band’s history — and the very real vacancy that now exists behind the kit.
Krusen was the drummer on Pearl Jam’s landmark 1991 debut album Ten, making him the band’s first recorded drummer and a foundational figure in one of rock’s most celebrated origin stories. His tenure with the band was brief. His contribution to Ten — which went on to sell over 13 million copies in the United States alone — cemented his legacy in rock history.
The drummer he would potentially be stepping in for, Matt Cameron, had an equally significant run with the band. Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998 following Soundgarden’s breakup. He went on to serve as the band’s drummer for 27 years, becoming one of its longest-tenured members. His departure marked the end of a chapter that spanned decades of touring, recording, and some of the band’s most celebrated live performances.
Pearl Jam moved quickly to fill the void left by Cameron’s exit. Eloy Casagrande has been reported as the band’s current touring drummer. The high-profile addition has kept the group active on the road while the longer-term lineup situation continues to take shape.
Whether Krusen ultimately makes a more formal return remains to be seen. With emails exchanged, phone calls made, and a clear sense of mutual interest on both sides, the conversation appears to be more than just casual talk.
