No—Matt Cameron did not retire from music after leaving Pearl Jam. In a July 2025 Instagram Story, he clarified that he was “still an active musician.” His later credits include the Is This Real? debut EP, and a February 2026 report said he was working on a new Soundgarden album. Neither development establishes a touring schedule or a release date.
Why did Matt Cameron leave Pearl Jam?
Cameron announced his departure in July 2025 after 27 years with Pearl Jam. The Associated Press reported that he joined the band in 1998 and made his studio debut with them on the 2000 album Binaural. In his departure statement, Cameron wrote, “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam.” The Associated Press reported the announcement and timeline.
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Pearl Jam thanked Cameron for his contribution to the band’s live shows and studio recordings and wished him well. Neither the band’s statement nor Cameron’s departure announcement gave a reason for the split or laid out a complete plan for what he would do next.
What did Cameron say about retiring?
On July 15, 2025, Rolling Stone reported that Cameron addressed supporters in an Instagram Story. He wrote, “Thank you for the kind words of support,” and added, “for the record, I’m still an active musician.” The second statement makes the distinction clear: leaving Pearl Jam was not an announcement that he was retiring from music. Rolling Stone reported Cameron’s clarification.
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What is Matt Cameron doing after Pearl Jam?
He released the Is This Real? debut EP
Cameron’s official website listed Is This Real? as a debut EP on November 14, 2025, and credited him with vocals and guitar. The site said the EP was available on streaming platforms. Cameron’s official website is the source for the listing and credits; it does not specify a particular streaming service.
He was reported to be working on a Soundgarden album
A February 11, 2026, Rolling Stone Canada report said Cameron was working on a new Soundgarden album built around vocal recordings made by Chris Cornell before Cornell’s death. The report did not give a release date. This is evidence of reported studio work, not confirmation of when the album will arrive. Rolling Stone Canada’s February 2026 report also covered Pearl Jam’s status after Cameron’s exit.
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What remains unknown?
The available announcements do not establish Cameron’s full future schedule, whether he plans to tour, or when the reported Soundgarden album might be released. Nor did Eddie Vedder identify Pearl Jam’s next drummer in the February 2026 interview. Vedder described the band as “in between eras” and said its members were working together, but did not say whether a replacement had been chosen.
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