Days after the announcement that Pearl Jam’s drummer Matt Cameron would be stepping down, a former bandmate was forced to weigh in.
David Abbruzzese, who joined in 1991 for the rockers’ first album tour, released a statement on Facebook after being bombarded with messages asking him to return.
The 47-year-old drummer begged fans to stop as he believes ‘the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy’ for reconciliation.
He was fired in 1994 after personal conflicts with the band, as bassist Jeff Ament said at the time they just ‘didn’t see eye to eye’ on much.
While David was not the original band drummer — that was Dave Kreusen — he joined as Pearl Jam hit the mainstream and contributed to their second and third albums.
Responding for calls for him to take Matt’s place, the musician wrote: ‘Due to the announcement of the mighty Matt Cameron choosing to step down from the throne he has had for the past 27 years, there has been much talk of my drumming, and the what if and would may never be, of late…’
He continued: ‘I thought I would take the opportunity to share some recent and past works with all of you that have bombarded my Facebook & Instagram pages with literally 1000’s of posts, messages and emails, hoping I would call Pearl Jam and attempt to reconcile with them. To be clear, I have nothing to reconcile with them about.’
While there have been some comments made over the years, particularly when David was snubbed for a Hall of Fame nomination, he insisted there was no bad blood.
‘My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band’s management and the band’s old label that made things challenging for me weren’t completely my doing,’ he continued. ‘With the exceptions of some petty comments and actions that I never quite understood or expected, I have never placed blame and harboured resentments towards the members of the band.
‘Although I never truly understood what was so important to destroy the musical chemistry we had back then, it is what it is, and I can’t do anything about it. At least nothing that I can figure out.’
It’s been three decades since he left, and David noted that he has grown in that time, as ‘it seems’ have his former bandmates who he has not spoken to since.
He added: ‘The fact that I haven’t had any personal contact with any of them leads me to believe the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy for there to be any reconnection or reconciliation. This is a shame and saddens me, greatly.
‘I know I could and would have much to contribute if indeed the call came, but sadly, I don’t see that happening.’
It’s currently unknown who will get that call, with Matt being a seminal member of the group — alongside bandmates Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready and Jeff — for nearly three decades.
Fans appear to have decided that David should be the one to fill this void but the drummer is not so convinced.
He wished Pearl Jam ‘continued success’ and said he hoped ‘that there will come a day that we can again connect on some level’ but asked that the fans insisting he contact their management stop.
David concluded: ‘I appreciate and understand your desire to see what could come out of that reunion musically. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, also.’
His social media post comes after Matt’s announcement on Instagram, in which he said: ‘After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam.
‘Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter.
‘I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.’
His bandmates added in a separate message: ‘From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skinyard and the mighty Soundgarden, to playing on our first demos in 1990, Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer.
‘He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music.
‘We love you Matt.’
Fans were left emotional over the musician’s announcement and flooded his comments section with heartfelt messages, sharing how much he would be missed in future.
Eddie, Stone, Mike, Jeff and Dave Krusen founded Pearl Jam in 1990, with the group going on to become one of the biggest acts in music history.
They have dropped hits including Black, Alive, Even Flow and Last Kiss in that time.
Matt previously served as the drummer for Soundgarden from 1986 until the band went their separate ways in 1997, and made the move over to Pearl Jam shortly after – following Jack Irons’ exit.
‘The guys made me feel real welcome and it wasn’t a struggle to get it musically, but my style was a little bit different, I think, than what they were used to,’ he said in an interview in 2003.
‘They’ve been through so many different drummers, I don’t even know if they knew what they wanted. So, I just played the way I played and then eventually we figured out what worked best for the band.
‘So, I definitely changed my stuff up and I think we’re playing really tight now.’
Over the 27-year period, he was part of some of their biggest albums – including 2000’s Binaural and Riot Act, Backspacer and Lightning Bolt.
His last offering with the group came in Dark Matter last year.
A version of this article was first published on July 7, 2025.
David A’s full statement
Due to the announcement of the mighty Matt Cameron choosing to step down from the throne he has had for the past 27 years, there has been much talk of my drumming, and the what if and would may never be, of late…
I thought I would take the opportunity to share some recent and past works with all of you that have bombarded my Facebook & Instagram pages with literally 1000’s of posts, messages and emails, hoping I would call Pearl Jam and attempt to reconcile with them. To be clear, I have nothing to reconcile with them about.
My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band’s management and the band’s old label that made things challenging for me weren’t completely my doing. With the exceptions of some petty comments and actions that I never quite understood or expected, I have never placed blame and harbored resentments towards the members of the band.
I have been blessed to have participated in some remarkable musical projects with remarkable people over the last 30 post Pearl Jam years. Although I never truly understood what was so important to destroy the musical chemistry we had back then, it is what it is, and I can’t do anything about it. At least nothing that I can figure out. The years since 1995 have served me well towards growing as a person and a player.
It seems the guys in the band matured and grew up as much as I did, but the fact that I haven’t had any personal contact with any of them leads me to believe the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy for there to be any reconnection or reconciliation.
This is a shame and saddens me, greatly. I know I could and would have much to contribute if indeed the call came, but sadly, I don’t see that happening.
I have been involved in so many wonder-filled projects. The production of The Green Romance Orchestra albums with my dear family of Gary J. Muller , Paul Slavens , Doug Neil , Darrell Phillips, Jimmy Shoaf and the extraordinary mastering engineer and one of my best friends Joe Gastwirt , all near and dear to my heart. Working with Roger Hodgson of Supertramp fame, and getting to form and maintain loving relationships with Rogers lovely family, Heidi Hodgson and Andrew Hodgson. G & R. Working with Eddie Kramer , Noel Redding, William Cox, Doug Pinnick , Corey Cornell James Glover and Eric Schenkman … Some co-production, drumming and mixing for albums by Stevie Salas that introduced me to my brothers Bernard Fowler , Tm Stevens, Jara Harris Melvin Jr. Brannon, Kevin W Smith, Vincent Ruby p. Huxley Jamie Seyberth, Matt Sorum .. and the joys of touring performing live music with the IMFs. Working with the incomparable Waddy Wachtel Carmine Rojas , Reeves Gabriel, Rick The Bass Player, & Robi Banerji . Mr. Peter Cornell , who I had the fortune of working on some touch up mixes for Peter, Joseph Shaughnessy and Will Evankovich when they were a band named Grace. My heroes, Mike Dillon , JJ Jungle , Zac Baird, John IV Speice gathering at my studio in Seattle’s Magnolia district for the HABMX “Out Demons” album. Jeff Fielder, Zach Harjo Perry Morgan , John Bush and the Speakeasy Junction jams. Peter Cornell’s “Champion” album. Pseutopia music with Shyam Narayan , Laji George & Mithun Raju . The Shy Blossom album. Countless one off tracks. Carlos Garcia-Menocal. The works with John X Volaitis , Scott Reeder and Royston Langdon. Not to mention the great times shared with working on quarantine jams with an incredibly talented line up of Marcus Nand , Carmine Rojas, Bernard Fowler, Cici Von Strangelove , Eric Schenkman , Benny Goodman, Jeff Fielder, James Mauri, Shani Kimelman , Aubrey Seaton , Lynn Seaton , Rob van den Biggelaar Taryn Taryn , Joanna Connor , Jeff Nolan , Jeff Weiss, Charlie Berezansky , Daniel James, Jim Regan , Brian Dahlen … Stacy Hogan & Sin SHAKE Sin.
Contributing drum tracks for the album by the exceptional Joanna Connor. The Lost Symphony with Jimi Bell , Brian Goodman , Benny Goodman , Siobhán Cronin | Violinist Joey Concepcion, and a cast of exceptionally talented players. The time shared writing and planning with my friend Shawn Smith before his untimely passing. And so many more…
Plus add to that the personal aspects of my life, blessed with a beautiful and talented daughter… overcoming substance abuse, embracing insanity and coming out on the other side, working in the field of recovery, legal issues, a failed marriage…
Needless to say, music is still very important and a continued passion without any doubt. My drumming and passion for giving it my all is still as powerful as ever.
I wish Pearl Jam and its organization continued success and I do hope that there will come a day that we can again connect on some level. All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management.
I appreciate and understand your desire to see what could come out of that reunion musically. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, also.
With much love and appreciation, Dave.
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