For 27 years, Matt Cameron was the heartbeat behind Pearl Jam’s rhythm section. He officially departed from the band in July, but only recently shared more of what led to that decision, and how his relationship with touring and performing had shifted.
In his words to Billboard: “I was having some issues with (Pearl Jam’s) three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff.”
That sense of exhaustion isn’t new for artists who’ve spent decades on the road. For Cameron, those long sets stopped being sustainable. He went on: “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.”
His exit from Pearl Jam wasn’t abrupt. Preparation mattered. He noted, “I definitely gave them a lot of notice. 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.”
Leaving after 27 years is no small decision. When you consider what long-term membership in a band involves — handing over personal time, adjusting life around tours, balancing creative desires — it adds up. Cameron’s choice seems driven by a need to refine priorities: shorter sets, less constant touring, more artistic focus.
Since stepping away from Pearl Jam, Cameron isn’t idle. A few key projects and developments are keeping him busy and creatively engaged: He’s part of 3rd Secret, a project alongside Krist Novoselic (of Nirvana), Kim Thayil, and other musicians; and he also fronts Is This Real?, a newer outlet that began as a tribute to the band Wipers, but has evolved into writing and recording original material.
Furthermore, Cameron will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame again with Soundgarden on November 8, 2025, which in turn will be his second induction, after being inducted earlier as a member of Pearl Jam.
