Pearl Jam are keeping their new drummer a secret ahead of their Ohana Festival return, with Stone Gossard embracing the mystery surrounding Matt Cameron’s replacement.
Pearl Jam are entering a new era, but fans hoping for an early reveal of the band’s new drummer will have to keep waiting (per Spin Magazine).
Speaking during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Pearl Jam Radio, guitarist Stone Gossard confirmed the legendary rock outfit has already chosen a replacement for longtime drummer Matt Cameron. However, the band has no plans to publicly announce the mystery musician before taking the stage at Ohana Festival on September 27th.
“I love the mystery of it all. It’s so exciting,” Gossard said. “There’s not enough mystery in the world.”
He added: “The fact that nobody knows who’s going to play drums with us even makes it triply exciting. So, it’s our mystery wrapped in an enigma and we’re relishing in it right now.”
Matt Cameron’s departure
Cameron departed Pearl Jam last July, after an impressive 27 year run behind the kit, despite the lineup shift, Gossard made it clear there’s no bad blood between the band and the former Soundgarden drummer.
“Matt Cameron has always come at things with an openness to all the people in the room and with grace and love for this process,” Gossard explained. “Matt’s always going to be our brother.”
The guitarist also acknowledged the challenge of moving forward without Cameron, whose powerful playing style became a defining part of Pearl Jam’s live identity over the past two decades.
“Where do you go after Matt Cameron? It’s a big question,” he admitted. “But I’m confident that we’re going to be able to do it.”
The upcoming Ohana Festival marks Pearl Jam’s first live performance in over a year and forms part of the festival’s massive 10th anniversary celebration, the lineup also includes Eddie Vedder, Tyler Childers, Billy Idol, Courtney Barnett and Pixies among others.
One person who seemingly won’t be returning is former drummer Dave Krusen, who recently told fans on Instagram that Pearl Jam already “have a new drummer.”
For now, the band appears happy keeping rock’s latest mystery alive.
Follow me for more on Music:
MORE IN Music
