Career Timeline of Matt Cameron: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Matt Cameron made an impact.

Matthew "Matt" Cameron is an American musician best known as the drummer for Pearl Jam and formerly for Soundgarden. He joined Soundgarden in 1986 and remained a key member until their initial breakup in 1997 and subsequent reunion (2010-2017). In 1998, he joined Pearl Jam, becoming their permanent drummer and is still with the band. He is one of three members to appear on every Soundgarden studio album. His simultaneous membership in both bands highlights his prominence in the Seattle rock scene.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1990: Switch to Drum Workshop

Around 1990, Matt Cameron began using equipment from California-based Drum Workshop (DW) after Yamaha turned down his endorsement, and most early Soundgarden records up until Badmotorfinger were done with an 8000 series kit in a "real wood" finish.

1991: DW Copper Gloss Kit

By the autumn of 1991, Matt Cameron started playing copper gloss finished Drum Workshop (DW) drums with 12 and 13-inch rack toms, a 15-inch floor tom, and a 22-inch bass drum with black gloss hoops and a 14-inch knurled steel snare.

1993: Superunknown Era Kit

By 1993, Matt Cameron's Superunknown era drum kit arrived, featuring a black gloss finish with 12, 13, and a 14-inch hanging tom, a 16-inch floor tom, and a 24x16 inch bass drum.

1994: Emphasis on Dynamics in "Like Suicide"

In a 1994 interview with Modern Drummer magazine, Matt Cameron revealed that to emphasize the dynamic shift on the song "Like Suicide", both his old and new drum kits were used, the latter having shells both larger in depth and diameter.

1995: Uses Ayotte Drums during Recording

During the recording of Down on the Upside in 1995 and a short European tour, Matt Cameron used natural maple finished Ayotte drums with wood hoops with various sized toms and a 22-inch bass drum, along with Ayotte/Keplinger snares or his longtime favorite Keplinger 14x7 stainless steel snare.

1996: Endorsement of Ayotte Drums

By the recording of 1996's Down on the Upside, and the album's subsequent tour, Matt Cameron endorsed the Canadian custom drum outfit Ayotte. By the album's official tour in 1996, a new kit with updated hardware in the same sizes but with dark purple sparkle finish and a 24-inch silver sparkle bass drum was used all the way up to Soundgarden's breakup.

1998: Continues Using Ayotte Kit for Pearl Jam

Following his hiring for Pearl Jam's U.S. Yield Tour in 1998, Matt Cameron continued using his purple Ayotte drum kit, which would remain intact for the next 4 years.

2000: Collaboration with Our Lady Peace

In 2000, Matt Cameron collaborated with Canadian rock group Our Lady Peace, playing drums on two songs, "Right Behind You (Mafia)" and "Are You Sad?", for their album, Spiritual Machines, while their drummer Jeremy Taggart was injured.

2000: Ayotte Kit on Binaural Tour

Throughout 2000, including the touring for Binaural, Matt Cameron continued using his purple Ayotte kit and equipment manufactured by Drum Workshop (DW).

2002: Contribution to Spider-Man Soundtrack

In 2002, Matt Cameron contributed to the soundtrack for the film Spider-Man, playing on the song "Hero" with Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott. Due to Cameron's unavailability for the music video shoot, Jeremy Taggart appeared in his place.

2002: Switches to Yamaha Drums

In 2002, Matt Cameron switched to Yamaha drums following a corporate change at Ayotte. He began using Yamaha's Birch Custom Absolute drums in a vintage natural finish.

2006: Collaboration on Peter Frampton's Album

In 2006, Matt Cameron and Pearl Jam bandmate Mike McCready contributed to Peter Frampton's instrumental album, Fingerprints, including a cover of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" and "Blowin' Smoke".

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2009: Experimentation with Yamaha Oak Custom Drums

By 2009, Matt Cameron began experimenting with Yamaha Oak Custom drums in a black gloss finish with Yamaha Vintage Maple hoops, similar to his old Ayotte drums. He used this kit through the period of Soundgarden's reformation.

2013: Performance on Drumgasm Album

In 2013, Matt Cameron collaborated with drummers Janet Weiss and Zach Hill on an all-drum album titled Drumgasm.

2018: Return to Maple Drums with Yamaha

In 2018, Matt Cameron returned to maple drums with Yamaha's Absolute Hybrid Maple in a satin black stain but with stock steel hoops, continuing his longtime use of various sized toms and a shallow 24 bass drum.

2020: Nighttime Boogie Association Released Singles

In 2020, Nighttime Boogie Association, a supergroup formed by Matt Cameron, Taylor Hawkins, Buzz Osborne, and Steven McDonald, released their first two singles.

2021: Feature on The Pretty Reckless Album

In 2021, Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil were featured on the track "Only Love Can Save Me Now" on The Pretty Reckless album, Death by Rock and Roll, and appeared in the song's video.

2021: Formation of 3rd Secret

In 2021, Matt Cameron, along with Kim Thayil, Krist Novoselic, Bubba Dupree, Jennifer Johnson, and Jillian Raye formed the group 3rd Secret.

2021: Nighttime Boogie Association Plans Music Release

In 2021, Nighttime Boogie Association, which includes Matt Cameron, planned to release more music.

April 2022: Release of 3rd Secret's Debut Album

In April 2022, 3rd Secret, including Matt Cameron, released their self-titled debut album, recorded at The Bait Shop in Bellevue, Washington, and performed at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.