# Matt Cameron
**Matt Cameron** (Matthew D. Cameron, born 1962) is an American drummer and songwriter best known as the drummer of the Seattle grunge bands [Soundgarden](https://www.edgepedia.org/soundgarden), which he joined in 1986, and [Pearl Jam](https://www.edgepedia.org/pearl-jam), which he anchored from 1998 until 2025. He is a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee through his membership in both bands[1](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962, San Diego, California; took up drums at age nine[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) |
| First credit | Lead vocal on "Puberty Love" for the 1978 cult film *Attack of the Killer Tomatoes*[2](https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/matt-cameron/) |
| Soundgarden | Drummer from June 1986 until the band's breakup on April 7, 1997, and again from the 2010 reunion to 2017[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) |
| Pearl Jam | Joined in 1998 as a temporary replacement for Jack Irons; studio debut on *Binaural* (2000); left in July 2025 after 27 years[5](https://apnews.com/article/efe554d2649a759e8ee8a69e8ee16076) |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Pearl Jam in 2017, inducted by David Letterman[6](https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/pearl-jam) |
| Songwriting | Wrote Soundgarden songs including "He Didn't," "Room a Thousand Years Wide," "Mailman," and "Limo Wreck"[1](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond) |
| Solo work | Debut solo album *Cavedweller*, released November 2017[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) |
## Early life
Cameron was born in San Diego, California, and began drumming at age nine[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). His first professional credit came before he ever played drums on a record: as a child he sang the lead vocal on "Puberty Love" for the 1978 cult film *Attack of the Killer Tomatoes*, a song that, in the plot, makes the title tomatoes explode[2](https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/matt-cameron/).
He relocated to Seattle in the early 1980s, playing briefly in a band called Feedback before joining Skin Yard in 1985[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). Along with original members Daniel House, later the owner of C/Z Records, and Jack Endino, Cameron came up with the band's name; singer Ben McMillan completed the lineup that year[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). The band played its first show in June 1985 as the warm-up act for a U-Men show, and recorded its self-titled debut album through 1985 and 1986. By the time the album appeared on C/Z Records in January 1987, Cameron had already left[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). Skin Yard and Soundgarden both contributed songs to the 1986 *Deep Six* compilation, an early document of the Seattle scene[7](https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/story-of-soundgarden).
## Soundgarden
Soundgarden, whose drummer Scott Sundquist had left to pursue a normal family life, enlisted Cameron in June 1986[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). Soon after, the band recorded its first release, the EP *Screaming Life*, issued on [Sub Pop](https://www.edgepedia.org/sub-pop) in 1987, followed by *Fopp* in 1988 and the full-length *Ultramega OK* on SST, which was nominated for a Grammy Award[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). [A&M Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/a-and-m-records) then signed the band and released *Louder Than Love* (1989), *Badmotorfinger* (1991), and *Superunknown* (1994)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). Along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and [Alice in Chains](https://www.edgepedia.org/alice-in-chains), Soundgarden was among the leaders of the early-1990s Seattle explosion, and *Superunknown* topped the charts[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) • [8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/06/17/soundgardens-super-grunge/0f7be922-5537-4165-8397-8a99a9e4f141/).
**Odd meters and songwriting.** Cameron's drumming gave Soundgarden much of its rhythmic character: 7/4 on "Spoonman," 5/4 on "My Wave," 15/8 on "Limo Wreck," and 9/8 passages in "Black Hole Sun"[9](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009). He credited an early immersion in jazz and fusion drummers such as Tony Williams, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, and [Billy Cobham](https://www.edgepedia.org/billy-cobham) for the ability to move beyond punk rock's straight four, and noted that guitarist [Kim Thayil](https://www.edgepedia.org/kim-thayil) naturally wrote riffs outside 4/4[9](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009). He was also a songwriter: his instrumental demo "He Didn't," recorded with Endino around 1986, became a song on *Ultramega OK* and helped earn the album its Grammy nomination, and he contributed riffs to more than a dozen Soundgarden songs, including "Room a Thousand Years Wide," "Mailman," and "Limo Wreck"[1](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond). His sound on *Superunknown* was shaped in part by a 14-by-7-inch cast steel snare built by Seattle drum maker Gregg Keplinger[10](https://drumfaster.com/rigs/matt-cameron/).
The band announced its breakup on April 7, 1997[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron).
## Temple of the Dog and side projects
Cameron's connections across the Seattle scene produced several collaborations. When [Mother Love Bone](https://www.edgepedia.org/mother-love-bone) frontman Andrew Wood died of a heroin overdose in 1990, [Chris Cornell](https://www.edgepedia.org/chris-cornell) planned a Sub Pop single in his honor and brought in Soundgarden bandmate Cameron along with [Stone Gossard](https://www.edgepedia.org/stone-gossard) and Jeff Ament; with the unknown singer Eddie Vedder they recorded the sole 1991 Temple of the Dog album[9](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). Cameron had also played on Pearl Jam's original demos, including the drum part for "Momma-Son," the demo that became "Alive"[11](https://unitesi.unive.it/retrieve/d610511e-58d0-4f7b-b15d-180b4d7a3c16/879347-1299271.pdf).
His other projects included the jazz group Tone Dogs, the psychedelic side project Wellwater Conspiracy with former [Monster Magnet](https://www.edgepedia.org/monster-magnet) guitarist John McBain, on whose albums Cameron played drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, and sang lead, the noisy trio Drumgasm with Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney and Zach Hill of Death Grips, and session work for artists ranging from [Geddy Lee](https://www.edgepedia.org/geddy-lee)'s solo album *My Favorite Headache* to movie soundtracks including *Pacific Heights*, *Pump Up the Volume*, *True Romance*, *Big Fish*, and *Reign Over Me*[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) • [12](https://www.moderndrummer.com/2005/08/matt-cameron/) • [13](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131674/bio/).
## Pearl Jam, 1998 to 2025
After Soundgarden split, Cameron played briefly for [The Smashing Pumpkins](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-smashing-pumpkins) and an early incarnation of [Queens of the Stone Age](https://www.edgepedia.org/queens-of-the-stone-age)[13](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131674/bio/). In the summer of 1998, with Pearl Jam's drummer [Jack Irons](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-irons) unable to commit to a booked tour, Eddie Vedder asked Cameron to join; his first appearance with the band was on *The Late Show with David Letterman*, playing "Wishlist"[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). What began as a temporary engagement for the Yield Tour became a permanent seat, and Cameron became the band's longest-serving drummer[5](https://apnews.com/article/efe554d2649a759e8ee8a69e8ee16076) • [11](https://unitesi.unive.it/retrieve/d610511e-58d0-4f7b-b15d-180b4d7a3c16/879347-1299271.pdf). His studio debut was 2000's *Binaural*, and he played on every Pearl Jam album through 2020's *Gigaton*, including a yearlong tour supporting the band's 12th album, *Dark Matter*[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487) • [5](https://apnews.com/article/efe554d2649a759e8ee8a69e8ee16076).
**The double tenure.** When Soundgarden reunited in 2010, Cameron held both drum chairs. The reunion began with talk in 2008 and 2009 about reissuing catalog material, led to a comeback show at Seattle's Showbox in April 2010, and the reunited band headlined Lollapalooza that August; Cameron said the main reason he wanted to reform the band was to make a record[9](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009). That record was *King Animal* (2012), the band's sixth and, as it turned out, final studio album with Cameron[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). He described the practical difference between the two gigs as a matter of volume and dynamics: Soundgarden was louder, while in Pearl Jam he could not "just get up there and bash"[9](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009).
Chris Cornell died on May 18, 2017, after a show at Detroit's Fox Theater while the band was on tour; the remaining dates were canceled and Soundgarden suspended future plans[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). Years later, Cameron, Thayil, and bassist Ben Shepherd finished the band's final recordings with Cornell, an album Cameron confirmed was mixed and awaiting mastering[1](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond).
**Departure.** In July 2025, Cameron announced in a social media post that he was leaving Pearl Jam: "After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam." He gave no reason, and the band's statement, calling him "a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer," named no replacement[5](https://apnews.com/article/efe554d2649a759e8ee8a69e8ee16076). His 27-year tenure outlasted those of his four predecessors combined[14](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/drummers/please-stop-sending-me-messages-telling-me-to-contact-their-management-dont-expect-pearl-jams-dave-abbruzzese-to-get-back-with-the-band-any-time-soon).
## Solo work and recent projects
After Cornell's death, Cameron released his first solo album, *Cavedweller*, in November 2017, taking on vocals, songwriting, and guitar duties, with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Tim Lefebvre, both from David Bowie's *Blackstar* sessions, joining him[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487). He also formed the supergroup 3rd Secret with Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Soundgarden's Kim Thayil, and Void's Jon Dupree, releasing two albums[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487), and plays guitar and sings in Is This Real?, a Wipers tribute band with Seattle guitarist Caspian Coberly[1](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond).
## Playing style and equipment
Cameron's kit choices have favored bright, attacking shells over maple: an Ayotte kit when he joined Pearl Jam, then Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute from 2002, and later Yamaha Oak Custom in black[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron). His core setup uses 12, 13, and 16-inch toms with a shallow 24-inch bass drum, and his signature stick is the Vic Firth Matt Cameron model; he plays Remo heads, including Emperor Clear on toms[3](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron) • [15](https://drummagazine.com/matt-cameron-back-to-the-garden/). Observers describe his playing as economical, with few cymbal strikes, heavy tom use, and odd-timed accents, and he has described his own drumming as vocal-influenced[16](https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/comment/3754857/) • [17](https://blabbermouth.net/news/drummer-matt-cameron-compares-his-roles-in-pearl-jam-and-soundgarden).
## References
1. [Eva Walker, "No matter what Soundgarden's future holds, Matt Cameron's love of guitar continues," Guitar World, October 2026](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/matt-cameron-guitar-journey-with-soundgarden-and-beyond)
2. [Matt Cameron, San Diego Reader](https://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/matt-cameron/)
3. [Matt Cameron, Remo artist profile](https://remo.com/profile/matt-cameron)
4. [Matt Cameron Biography by Matt Collar, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matt-cameron-mn0000389487)
5. ["Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron says he's leaving the band after nearly 30 years," AP News, July 2025](https://apnews.com/article/efe554d2649a759e8ee8a69e8ee16076)
6. [Pearl Jam, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee page](https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/pearl-jam)
7. ["How Soundgarden went from superunknowns to grunge godfathers," Louder/Classic Rock, May 2026](https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/story-of-soundgarden)
8. ["Soundgarden's 'Super' Grunge," The Washington Post, June 17, 1994](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/06/17/soundgardens-super-grunge/0f7be922-5537-4165-8397-8a99a9e4f141/)
9. [Rich Chamberlain, "Matt Cameron talks juggling mega gigs with Soundgarden and Pearl Jam," MusicRadar, October 2013](https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/matt-cameron-talks-juggling-mega-gigs-with-soundgarden-and-pearl-jam-585009)
10. ["Matt Cameron's gear through the years," Drum Faster](https://drumfaster.com/rigs/matt-cameron/)
11. [Pearl Jam drummer history, Ca' Foscari University of Venice thesis](https://unitesi.unive.it/retrieve/d610511e-58d0-4f7b-b15d-180b4d7a3c16/879347-1299271.pdf)
12. ["Matt Cameron with Pearl Jam," Modern Drummer, August 2005](https://www.moderndrummer.com/2005/08/matt-cameron/)
13. [Matt Cameron biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131674/bio/)
14. ["Please stop sending me messages...": MusicRadar on Pearl Jam's drummers, 2025](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/drummers/please-stop-sending-me-messages-telling-me-to-contact-their-management-dont-expect-pearl-jams-dave-abbruzzese-to-get-back-with-the-band-any-time-soon)
15. ["Matt Cameron: Back To The Garden," DRUM! Magazine](https://drummagazine.com/matt-cameron-back-to-the-garden/)
16. [Jack Irons/Matt Cameron comparison, Pearl Jam Community forum](https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/comment/3754857/)
17. ["Drummer Matt Cameron Compares His Roles in Pearl Jam and Soundgarden," Blabbermouth.net](https://blabbermouth.net/news/drummer-matt-cameron-compares-his-roles-in-pearl-jam-and-soundgarden)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Rock, metal, and popular-band musicians › Grunge and 1990s alternative › Seattle grunge and Pacific Northwest*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license