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Pearl Jam are continuing their search for a new permanent drummer more than a year after Matt Cameron left the band. Bassist Jeff Ament confirmed that the group is still auditioning musicians, despite having performed with Paul McCartney’s longtime drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. at the Ohana Festival in September.
Speaking with Under the Radar magazine, Ament praised Laboriel’s playing but made clear that no final decision has been reached. He also revealed that Pearl Jam hope to return to live performances in 2027.
Ament described Laboriel as an exceptional drummer and acknowledged the positive impression he made during the band’s recent live appearance. However, the bassist stressed that the search for a permanent successor to Cameron remains ongoing.
We’re not in any massive rush but we want to play some shows next year, I’m 63, but I’m pretty fit. I think I can act like a young foolish guy up there for a few more years but I feel a little bit more urgency in terms of getting out there to play shows when we are physically young-ish.
Laboriel performed with Pearl Jam at Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival in September, marking the group’s first live appearance since Cameron’s departure. His presence initially led to speculation that he had officially joined the lineup, but Vedder subsequently thanked him for sitting in, rather than announcing him as a new member.
Ament also reflected on Cameron’s decision to leave Pearl Jam in July 2025 after 27 years. He described the split as “a pretty f—ing sad moment” but said it had not come entirely without warning.
I think when Chris [Cornell] passed that was a massive hit for all of us, but in particular for Matt, I know there was a period of time where he wasn’t sure he wanted to even play anymore, and pretty much since then he’s been talking about winding it down and wanting to do some other things. He’s got some other itches to scratch.
Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998 and made his studio debut with the band on “Binaural” in 2000. He went on to record every subsequent studio album through 2024’s “Dark Matter”, while also remaining closely associated with Soundgarden.
The bassist said he remains supportive of his former bandmate as Cameron explores the next stage of his career.
Pearl Jam currently have no additional concerts on their schedule, and no permanent drummer has been named. Ament’s remarks nevertheless suggest the band intends to remain active once the lineup question has been resolved.
In the meantime, Vedder has two solo performances scheduled in Brazil later this month, while Ament has recently released his first photography book, “Since Forever”, featuring images and memories from the band’s history.
