Matt Cameron

Template:Infobox musical artist 2 Matthew Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician renowned for playing drums in the grunge/rock band Soundgarden from 1986 until the band's 1997 break-up. Shortly after the break-up the following year, he found similar occupation in a similar style band. Cameron was invited to play with rock-colleagues Pearl Jam, where he's been ever since. He has also been the primary back-up vocalist for both bands. With Pearl Jam he has recorded 3 studio albums (Binaural, Riot Act, and the new Pearl Jam) and 1 live album entitled "Live on Two Legs".

Cameron was born in San Diego, California and 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 local bands like Feedback and Skin Yard. By September of 1986, Cameron had gained so much notoriety in the local music scene that he was chosen to play for Soundgarden.

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.

He has also played on albums such as The Smashing Pumpkins' Adore and Geddy Lee's 2000 solo album My Favorite Headache. He also features on Chris Cornell's solo album Euphoria Morning on the track Disappearing One, and on four tracks on Eleven's Thunk.

Rumours circuated in the beginning of 1998 that Matt Cameron was considered as a permanent drummer replacement for The Smashing Pumpkins. Cameron contributed his drumming on seven tracks considered for Adore, though only epic and highly acclaimed For Martha appeared on the album. Cameron denied rumours of joining the band, revealing on the January 21, 1998 in a chat room for a Seattle drum company, "I have no intentions of joining The Smashing Pumpkins".

Matt Cameron has enjoyed a friendship with fellow drummer Jeremy Taggart of Canadian Rock Group Our Lady Peace. When Taggart was sidelined with an ankle injury during the recording of that group's 2000 release "Spiritual Machines", Cameron played drums on songs such as "Right Behind you (Mafia)" and "Are You Sad?". Cameron has also contributed to the film soundtrack to 2002's Spider-Man, playing on "Hero" with Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott. Unable to attend the shoot, Jeremy Taggart returned the favor and is shown in Cameron's place in the video.

Since joining Pearl Jam, Matt has written the following songs for the band:

In The Moonlight (Lost Dogs/Binaural sessions) ... lyrics and music

Cropduster (Riot Act) ... music

You Are (Riot Act) ... lyrics, music and played rhythm guitar

Get Right (Riot Act) ... lyrics and music

Unemployable (Pearl Jam) ... music (co-written)

While not as frequent as the other members', Matt's written contributions are held in high regard by the band, as are his performances. In the liner notes of the Lost Dogs compilation, Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder says:

"Matt Cameron writes songs and we run to find step stools in order to reach his level. What comes naturally to him leaves us with our heads cocked like the confused dogs that we are...eventually getting it. Did we mention he's the greatest drummer on the planet?"

Matt currently resides in Woodway, Washington with his wife, April, and son, Ray.