Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron leaves Pearl Jam
This past July, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron announced his decision to leave Pearl Jam after 27 years with the band. Now, in a new interview with Billboard, Cameron has opened up about why he chose to leave the Eddie Vedder fronted group.
“I’m at a point in my life where I want to redirect my time and energy in a way that is a little bit based on what I want to pursue as an artist at this point,” he explained.
“I was having some issues with [Pearl Jam’s] three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff,” Cameron admitted. “That’s definitely an art form unto itself, to be able to do those types of shows…I’m at a point now where I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set, and that’s kind of what I’m focusing on right now.”
Despite leaving the band, Cameron seems to be maintaining a solid relationship with his former bandmates.
“I definitely gave them a lot of notice,” he said of the time leading up to his departure. “I’ve spoken with Jeff [Ament] and Stone [Gossard] a little bit…It’s been fine. Hopefully we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something.”
Soundgarden new album new songs list
Cameron also noted that Soundgarden are over HALFWAY DONE with their new album, featuring songs demoed with Chris Cornell from 2015-2017.
“We’re definitely over halfway done with it,” Cameron says to Billboard. “Kim is in the process of finishing his guitar parts; he wants to make sure they get exactly the way he wants them.”
“Emotionally it’s been extreme highs and extreme lows,” Cameron says of working on the record.
Soundgarden considered releasing a new single before their upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, but they decided to wait until they finish the record.
“Hearing (Cornell’s) voice on these powerful hard rock songs is the most empowering thing in the world for me. Then I listen to his voice soloed up when I’m working on stuff, or if Kim or Ben is working on something, and it all comes back to the fact that he’s not with us and he left us in a way that has so many questions. It’s been gut-wrenching but at the same time very empowering.”
The long-awaited album’s tracks include: “Cancer” and “Stone Age Mind” penned solely by Chris Cornell; “Road Less Traveled,” “Orphans,” and “At Ophians Door” crafted alongside drummer Matt Cameron; “Ahead Of The Dog” in collaboration with guitarist Kim Thayil; and “Merrmas” co-written with bassist Ben Shepherd
