Legendary rock band Pearl Jam are gearing up for a fresh chapter in their decades-long career, according to frontman Eddie Vedder. In a recent interview, Vedder said that the group — now navigating life after the departure of longtime drummer Matt Cameron — is rehearsing, experimenting and excited for what comes next.
In July 2025, Cameron — who had been Pearl Jam’s drummer since 1998 — announced his departure, ending a 27-year tenure with the band. His exit marked the end of a long era, as he’d played on some of Pearl Jam’s most enduring work over multiple albums and tours.
With Cameron gone, many fans were left wondering what direction the band might take next. Vedder acknowledged that sentiment, quoting a recent description of the band’s current stage: “Pearl Jam is in between eras at the moment.” He added, “I thought that was actually pretty concise.”
Vedder told Rolling Stone that the band has been getting back into rehearsal — what musicians sometimes call “woodshedding”, a period of focused practice and exploration. He said:
“We’re in the lab, we’re woodshedding, excited. It’s cool to think of change. As much as we’d like to have done it the way we did it forever — and we’ll still be able to do that thing — I think we’re all just excited for the future.”
That comment underscores a balance: Pearl Jam still honour their legacy and their signature sound, but they’re also open to evolving beyond it.
Vedder declined to specify who might be handling drum duties moving forward, hinting that the band would discuss internally before making any official announcements.
Vedder is also in the spotlight for his Netflix documentary Matter of Time, which chronicles his philanthropic work with the EB Research Partnership — a charity he co-founded to fight a rare genetic skin disorder. The film blends music with a message of community and advocacy, showing another side of Vedder outside of rock stardom.
