Matt Cameron shocked Pearl Jam fans earlier this week when he announced his decision to step away from the band. And now that Pearl Jam is in a victim of The Year of Drumpocalypse, the band is in the market for a new body to put behind the skins.
Since there’s no telling when Matt Cameron’s replacement will be named, let’s have some fun and image a few new configurations of the band by speculating on who will be next to claim the drum throne for Pearl Jam.
Richard Stuverud
Experience: RNDM, Three Fish, Tres Mtns, War Babies, Fastbacks
Why he’s a fit: Aside from being one of the most fun drummers to watch, he’s played in multiple Jeff Ament side projects making him a solid rhythm section match. Aside from his in with Ament, he has strong ties to Pearl Jam, including playing drums on the demo for the “Vitalogy” cut “Nothingman” and more recently filling in for Matt Cameron for a show on a recent tour when Cameron had Covid.
Josh Freese
Experience: Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, A Perfect Circle, Guns N Roses, Devo
Why he’s a fit: Matt Cameron left some pretty big shoes to fill upon his departure, but if Josh Freese can more than adaquately replace Taylor Hawkins there’s a chance he could also do a good job sitting on the drum throne for Pearl Jam.
Chad Smith
Experience: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot, Eddie Vedder’s Earthlings
Why he’s a fit: Look, it would take a lot for Chad Smith to walk away from the Chili Peppers, but hear me out. He’s good pals with the Pearl Jam guys going way back to when RHCP took the band on the road with them in the early 90s and he toured and recorded with Eddie Vedder in his band the Earthlings. So there’s a connection there that could maybe lead to him pulling a Matt Cameron and becoming a drummer for not just one, but two of the greatest alt rock bands of the nineties. Is it likely? No. Is it possible? Yes.
Josh Klinghoffer
Experience: Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, Beck, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder’s Earthlings
Why he’s a fit: For starters, he’s sort of already in the band. Or at least the touring band, since he’s the multi-instrumentalist in the background rounding out the sound for the live shows. He’s had a good three years of time to study Matt Cameron up close on tour and he’s talented enough to get the job done.
Janet Weiss
Experience: Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, The Jicks, Wild Flag, Drumgasm
Why she’s a fit: Janet Weiss is the wildcard here (well, let’s be honest they’re all sort of wild cards). But her relationship with Pearl Jam goes way back to when Sleater-Kinney toured with Pearl Jam, and since S-K uncerimoniously kicked her out she’s sort of available aside from her Quasi responsibilities.
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