JEFF AMENT Fuels Speculation that STEPHEN PERKINS or JOSH FREESE Could Be PEARL JAM’s New Drummer.
Last year, longtime Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron announced his departure from the band after 27 years. While Pearl Jam has yet to officially name his replacement, recent comments from bassist Jeff Ament have fueled fan speculation that either Stephen Perkins or Josh Freese could be in line for the role.
The speculation was sparked by a comment Ament left on an Instagram photo shared by Freese over the weekend, which showed Freese with Perkins at the NAMM show.
“Two of the best ever. Shake & Bake!” Ament wrote.
Ament’s remark sparked discussion among fans about whether either drummer could be joining Pearl Jam.
“Which one will be the new PJ drummer,” one fan wrote.
“I sure hope it’s one of these two. Either would be amazing,” another added, while a third commented: “In PJ… a dream.”
Another fan pointed to the band’s long-standing influences, writing: “Stone [Gossard] and Jeff [Ament] were always massive J.A. [Jane’s Addiction] fans… I could see it happening.”
The renewed attention follows earlier rumors linking Perkins to Pearl Jam after he shared an Instagram post celebrating frontman Eddie Vedder’s birthday on Dec. 23.
In December, Perkins’ longtime band Jane’s Addiction officially announced their disbandment, more than a year after a highly publicized onstage altercation between frontman Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a September 2024 show in Boston.
While Perkins may now be available, Freese continues to maintain a packed schedule. After parting ways with Foo Fighters this past May, Freese reunited with Nine Inch Nails, toured with Weezer, continues to perform with The Vandals, recently released a solo album, and has been working in the studio on various other projects.
