Matt Cameron (born Matthew D. Cameron, November 28, 1962, in San Diego, California) is an American musician renowned for being the drummer, back-up vocalist and occasional songwriter in the grunge rock bands Soundgarden (1986-1997) and Pearl Jam (1998-present).
Cameron began playing drums at an early age. At the age of 13, he and some friends played in a cover band called "Kiss" (with the word imitation written underneath the name, in small print). During this stint, he met Paul Stanley. However, after a letter from the management of the band KISS threatened the children with legal action if they did not cease their infringement, the band melted away.
In 1978, under the pseudonym "Foo Cameron", Cameron sang the song "Puberty Love" which was featured in the movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. In the early 1980s he moved to Seattle and played in the local band feeDBack.
Skin Yard (1985-1986)
After playing with Daniel House in Seattle instrumental band, feeDBack, Matt joined House in the newly formed Skin Yard which he stayed with for almost a year. As their drummer he recorded their first self-titled record and appears on the 2001-released odds-n-sods Skin Yard Collection, Start at the Top. Matt wrote the song "Reptile" for the band which appears on their first record.
Soundgarden (1986-1997)
By September 1986, Cameron had gained so much notoriety in the local music scene that he was chosen to play for Soundgarden, replacing drummer Scott Sundquist. Cameron played with Soundgarden, considered one of the "big four" Seattle bands of the grunge era (along with Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam), from 1986 until the band's 1997 break-up. With Soundgarden, Matt recorded the albums Ultramega OK, Louder Than Love, Badmotorfinger, Superunknown, and Down on the Upside. The band broke-up in 1997, due to internal strife over their creative direction.
Pearl Jam (1998-present)
Almost a year after Soundgarden's break-up, Cameron found similar occupation in a similar style band. In summer 1998, he was invited by rock-colleagues Pearl Jam to drum on their Yield Tour after the band's drummer Jack Irons left due to health issues. Soon, during the tour, he was invited to become a full-time member and he's been in the band ever since. Cameron had worked with members of the band before on the Temple of the Dog project and had helped them record some early demos in 1990. He is the longest serving drummer of the band and has recorded three studio albums (Binaural, Riot Act, and Pearl Jam) and several live albums.
Other projects (1990-present)
Along with Chris Cornell, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, Matt Cameron appeared on the Temple of the Dog album, which paid tribute to Mother Love Bone lead singer Andrew Wood, who died of a heroin overdose at age 21.
Despite a career in rock music, Cameron stated in a 1989 radio interview that growing up he "wasn't a big rock fan..." and that his musical tastes during his youth were "more into jazz." He played in a jazz-influenced side project called Tone Dogs in the early 1990s. Cameron also has a fondness for psychedelic garage rock, and his side project Wellwater Conspiracy reflects this.
Cameron also appears on the Gamma Ray EP which would become the first recorded material by Queens of the Stone Age.[1] Matt played drums at the band's first show on November 20, 1997, however he did not join the band as their drummer.
Cameron contributed his drumming on seven tracks considered for the album Adore by The Smashing Pumpkins, though only the epic and highly acclaimed "For Martha" appeared on the album. Rumours circuated in the beginning of 1998 that he was considered as a permanent drummer replacement for Jimmy Chamberlin, but Cameron denied this.
Other albums Cameron has played drums on include Geddy Lee's 2000 solo album My Favourite Headache, former bandmate Chris Cornell's 1999 solo album Euphoria Morning on the track "Disappearing One", and on four tracks on Eleven's 1995 album Thunk.
He along with fellow Pearl Jam bandmate Mike McCready have also contributed two songs to Peter Frampton's instrumental album, Fingerprints. These include a cover of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" and "Blowin' Smoke".
Prepared by : Ben Harlem
