To be the drummer of one of America's most popular rock bands is a claim that few people can make. Rarer still is the claim to have been the drummer of one of America's most popular rock bands, and then lose that gig only to join what might be the most popular rock band in America. However, such is the story of Matt Cameron, whose driving beats have provided the engine first for Soundgarden and then for Pearl Jam.
As if Cameron were not busy enough with Eddie Vedder and company, he has found the time to continue his side project, with Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. They just completed their fourth album, a self-titled effort released just this year. Cameron sat down and talked to The Dartmouth about this project among other things.
The Dartmouth: How would you describe the sound of this album?
Matt Cameron: It's very 60s psychedelic influenced. We're recording it all ourselves, so there's a certain low-fi quality, but the overriding influence is psychedelia. We both agreed Syd Barrett was our main source of influence, we love that era of British era psychedelia. The Small Faces, too.
The D: What led you to want to do this album?
MC: We just wanted to continue making records, this is our fourth record. We have a good time doing music-making together.
The D: What drew you to John McBain?
MC: We just had a similar sense of humor and similar music tastes. We just hit it off right away. We met in '91 on a Soundgarden/Magnet tour, and he decided to move to Seattle, and we recorded a record with Ben Shepherd called Hater, and we went from there.
The D: Were you a fan of Monster Magnet?
MC: We had heard [Monster Magnet's 1992 release] "Spine of God" and loved it, and so we called him up and had him open for Soundgarden.
The D: Going into the recording of this album, did you feel a need to make it sound decidedly different from your work with Pearl Jam or Monster Magnet?
MC: Not really, I don't think this group has ever been a reaction to the other groups. We're solely into making the music we enjoy. We have a good musical rapport together, so we've created something of a band sound. But, it's certainly different from Monster Magnet or Pearl Jam and I think that's a good thing.
The D: Are you planning to tour with Wellwater Conspiracy?
MC: We're hoping to do some touring next year. I'm getting busy with Pearl Jam soon, so we just have to schedule it.
The D: What was it like to be part of the music scene in Seattle in the early '90s when it was seemingly the center of the musical universe?
MC: It was great. It was very exciting. I loved it. I think our music scene grew out of a vibrant underground scene from the mid-to-late '80s, and Seattle just went global. The fact that it had nothing to do with the mainstream centers that made it that much stronger. We started in the clubs, and we ended up in arenas.
The D: Would you ever run into any of the other Seattle bands at your shows?
MC: In the '90s we started to go on tour, but in the late '80s we played for each other at clubs. When Soundgarden would play a show, we'd see other groups from around town. It was a very tight knit community, very supportive. A big group of very talented people.
The D: How exactly did you end up joining Pearl Jam?
MC: Soundgarden broke up in '97, and I was out of a job pretty much. In the summer of '98 Pearl Jam was set to go on tour and and their previous drummer [Jack Irons] bailed, so Eddie called me up and I said "yes" and we had a lot of fun.
The D: Did you feel pressure knowing that they had gone through several drummers before you?
MC: Not pressure, but I felt like they didn't know what they wanted in a drummer, so they had to start from square one with each guy. It can change the entire flavor of the music. When I went in there intially I felt like I had to change a little bit because they're very different from Soundgarden.
The D: What did you think of all the heat Pearl Jam, and especially Eddie Vedder, took as a result of his comments on President Bush?
MC: What did he say?
The D: Well specifically, there was a lot of talk about "Bushleaguer" [from 2002's "Riot Act"] and some onstage antics of Eddie's with a Bush mask.
MC: It was blown out of proportion. Eddie certainly speaks his mind, and I think that's what fans like about it. We took flak, but we're used to it by now.
The D: I know you must get this question all the time, but I'm an annoying journalist, and I have to ask, what do you think the chances are of a Soundgarden reunion?
MC: Slim to none.
The D: Fair enough. What do you think the future of Wellwater Conspiracy is? Do you intend on balancing this with Pearl Jam?
MC: Absolutely. This is the most fun I have right now. And I'm certainly going to keep it going for as long as I can.
