Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has shared the first details about the band’s new drummer in an interview with Rolling Stone. The drummer’s identity had not yet been revealed. The new member was reportedly “everyone’s first choice.”
Ament explained how the band settled on its choice. He also described how hard it was to tell other drummer friends that the band had already found someone.
“It was the first name that came up,” Ament said. “In our minds, let’s start at the top. And all of us have, like, really good friends who are drummers. The hardest part was, like, telling … my friends who are, like, killer drummers that we had a guy.”
Ament then spoke about how confident the band feels. He also described how they are preparing the song “Even Flow.”
“I hope this is our guy, but I don’t know if it is,” he continued. “We haven’t played a show yet, so it’s pretty hard to be fully committed. We finally got the ‘Even Flow’ thing figured out. It really sits back on the choruses. We programmed it into this drum machine. It’s amazing. You’re gonna love it.”
Those comments have since gained new context. The mystery drummer has now appeared on stage. The moment has changed how fans read Ament’s cautious words.
Pearl Jam introduced Abe Laboriel Jr. during a surprise set at Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California. The set was billed as “Eddie Vedder and Friends.” It was the band’s first public performance since its longtime drummer left.
That drummer is Matt Cameron. He joined in 1998 and stepped away in July 2025 after 27 years. The split was amicable. The band pointed to the physical demands of touring and Cameron’s wish to pursue other projects. His exit left open the drummer’s seat. It is the sixth in the band’s history.
Laboriel is no stranger to Vedder. He has toured with Paul McCartney since 2001 and is one of the most in-demand drummers in rock. He also recorded with Vedder on “Picture,” a track featuring Elton John, on the 2022 album Earthling.
Vedder did not present Laboriel as a permanent member during the surprise set. He told the crowd, “Filling in tonight.” The band has not said whether Laboriel’s role is permanent. That matches Ament’s wariness about committing before a live show.
