Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has clarified the band’s drummer situation following Matt Cameron’s departure, telling Under the Radar that the search for a permanent replacement is still underway.
Ament discussed how Cameron’s decision to leave came after a difficult period following the death of Chris Cornell. The band has been working through the transition while planning to play shows in the coming year.
“I think when Chris passed that was a massive hit for all of us, but in particular for Matt,” Ament said. “I know there was a period of time where he wasn’t sure he wanted to even play anymore, and pretty much since then he’s been talking about winding it down and wanting to do some other things.”
“He’s got some other itches to scratch but it was a pretty fucking sad moment. You’ve got years of traveling the world and making music together, but I’m stoked for him.”
Ament addressed the role of Abe Laboriel Jr., who recently performed with the band. “Abe Laboriel Jr. was such an incredible drummer. But nothing’s locked in yet. We’re not in any massive rush but we want to play some shows next year. 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 but I feel a little bit more urgency in terms of getting out there to play shows when we are physically young-ish.”
Ament’s comments came as the band continues its search for Cameron’s permanent replacement.
Matt Cameron announced his split from Pearl Jam in July 2025, ending his 27-year tenure with the group. The band’s Dark Matter World Tour, in support of their 2024 album, concluded on May 18, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Following the final show, Cameron received hugs from his bandmates one by one after a champagne toast celebrating his time with the group.
Abe Laboriel Jr. first worked with the Pearl Jam circle in 2022, when he played on the Elton John-featuring track “Picture” from Eddie Vedder’s solo album Earthling. The 55-year-old drummer has been with Paul McCartney since 2001. Laboriel Jr. performed with Pearl Jam at Ohana Festival in September 2025, with both a surprise mini-set on Friday and the main headlining performance on Sunday, though Vedder told the crowd he was “filling in tonight,” leaving his status with the band uncertain.
Cameron said in an interview published on September 17, 2025, that he wanted to redirect his time and energy toward artistic pursuits and that he had given Pearl Jam considerable notice before his departure. He had been simultaneously a member of both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden following Soundgarden’s reunion in 2010, and remained with Soundgarden until the band’s second breakup after Cornell’s death in 2017.
Pearl Jam has one confirmed performance scheduled for 2026: headlining Ohana Festival on September 27 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California. Ament released a new photo book, created with his brother Barry, in September 2025, marking another project as the band works to finalize its lineup for upcoming shows.
