Matt Cameron became tired of Pearl Jam’s “constant touring”.
The 62-year-old drummer announced his departure from the Given to Fly rockers after 27 years in July and confessed that he had grown weary of the demanding nature of the group’s live performances.
Matt told Billboard: “I was having some issues with (Pearl Jam’s) three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff.
“That’s definitely an art form unto itself, to be able to do those types of shows… I’m at a point now where I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set, and that’s kind of what I’m focusing on right now.”
Cameron says that his Pearl Jam exit was “amicable” and feels that it was a necessary step at this point in his career.
The musician said: “I definitely gave them a lot of notice. I’ve spoken with Jeff (Ament) and Stone (Gossard) a little bit… It’s been fine. Hopefully we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something.”
Matt added: “I’m at a point in my life where I want to redirect my time and energy in a way that is a little bit based on what I want to pursue as an artist at this point.”
Meanwhile, the drummer’s other band Soundgarden are set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November – the second time Cameron has earned the honour after Pearl Jam were inducted in 2017 – and he admits that this achievement is even more special as he has featured on all of Soundgarden’s albums.
He said: “They’re both huge honours, of course.
“For me, personally, I helped build Soundgarden from the ground up, and I helped create the sound, I think, a little bit more than I did with Pearl Jam, which was definitely more of an established thing that I came into.
“So in that sense (Soundgarden’s induction) is a little more meaningful for me as an artist and musician and songwriter to go in with a band that I helped (to) establish itself.”
Soundgarden’s alternative rock scene origins don’t always acknowledge such accolades but Matt says there was no “reluctance” to accept their induction.
He explained: “I think we’re always happy to be recognised by any established entity in the music industry… It felt like even from the early days, fellow musicians noticed what we were doing, and the music industry definitely took notice, so… it was nice to be recognised by the Grammys and whoever else.”