Mike McCready Addresses Pearl Jam Future Post-Cameron
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has offered a clearer picture of where the band stands following drummer Matt Cameron’s departure, saying the group is still in a planning phase and has no tour dates locked in for this year. The update comes as fans continue to look for signals about what’s next for the Seattle rock institution after nearly three decades with Cameron behind the kit.
In an interview, SPIN reported that McCready described the band as “woodshedding,” explaining it as a period of thinking through options and communicating internally while moving slowly before shifting into gear.
McCready said the remaining lineup—frontman Eddie Vedder, guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament—has been “emailing a lot” and talking regularly, but he stressed that “we don’t have anything planned” in terms of touring for 2026. He added that Pearl Jam’s working style often involves long stretches of deliberation followed by fast progress once decisions are made.
The guitarist also reflected on Cameron’s tenure, calling it a “dream come true” to play with him and praising his steadiness onstage and in the studio. For more Pearl Jam speculation around who could potentially take the drum seat next, Alternative Nation previously examined talk of a Foo Fighters member joining Pearl Jam as fans floated possible replacements.
Cameron’s final Pearl Jam album was 2024’s Dark Matter, produced by Andrew Watt, and McCready credited Watt with energising the band and pushing them to capture early takes and fast-moving songwriting moments. For now, McCready’s latest comments suggest the group remains focused on internal discussions rather than imminent announcements.
