Matt Cameron Opens Up About Struggles with Pearl Jam’s Endless Touring

## Matt Cameron Reflects on Leaving Pearl Jam

Former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron recently shared insights into his departure from the band during an interview with *Billboard*. He revealed that he faced challenges with the intense touring schedule, which contributed to his decision to step back from the iconic rock group.

### Issues with Touring

Cameron highlighted the demanding nature of Pearl Jam’s performances, particularly the lengthy three-hour shows. He noted, “That’s definitely an art form unto itself, to be able to do those types of shows.” These marathon sessions and constant touring took a toll, prompting him to evaluate his path.

### New Musical Directions

Now, Cameron is excited to explore different musical ventures. “I’m at a point in my life where I want to redirect my time and energy in a way that aligns more with my artistic vision,” he expressed. One of his new projects is a band called Is This Real?, which originally started as a tribute to the punk pioneers, Wipers. This ensemble will also produce original music drawn from Cameron’s years of songwriting.

### Upcoming Ventures

As the lead vocalist and guitarist for Is This Real?, Cameron is eager to release an album soon. Additionally, he is collaborating with 3rd Secret, a supergroup that features notable musicians like Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Krist Novoselic from Nirvana. While discussing this new project, Cameron mentioned they might tour differently than Pearl Jam, focusing on shorter, more intense sets.

“I’m at a point now where I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set, and that’s what I’m focusing on right now,” he added.

### An Amicable Departure

Cameron emphasized that his exit from Pearl Jam was amicable. He assured fans, “I definitely gave them a lot of notice,” and mentioned he has communicated with his former bandmates, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. “Hopefully, we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something,” he smiled.

As of now, Pearl Jam has yet to announce a replacement drummer, and there are no tour dates planned for the remainder of 2025 or into 2026.

What are your thoughts on Cameron’s decision to explore new musical avenues?