Ex-Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese on potential return to the band: “The water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy”

Former Pearl Jam sticksman Dave Abbruzzese has opened up on the chances of him returning to the band.

• READ MORE: Pearl Jam – ‘Dark Matter’ review: some of their strongest work in recent memory

Earlier this week (July 7), longtime Pearl Jam and Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron announced his exit from the Eddie Vedder-led band after 27 years behind the kit. Since then, fans have been speculating on who would replace him on the drum throne, with some even asking for the return of Abbruzzese.

Abbruzzese was with the band at the height of their game between 1991 and 1995, and appeared on albums like ‘Vs.’ and ‘Vitalogy’ and for some fans, was the band’s definitive drummer.

Dave Abbruzzese took to Facebook yesterday (July 8) to address if he would ever return: “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.”

He continued, giving fans context on why he left the band in the first place: “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.”

On where things stand now, he shared: “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.”

Abbruzzese then shared a long list of his post-Pearl Jam projects that fans can tap into if they wish to seek out his drumming, before adding: “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.”

You can see Abbruzzese’s post in its entirety below.

Following Cameron’s exit, several other names have popped up in speculation for his replacement. These include original drummer Dave Krusen, Josh Klinghoffer and the band’s longtime pal Richard Stuverud – all of whom have filled in for Cameron during his absence in 2022 due to contracting COVID-19.

Other names including Josh Freese and Zak Starkey, both of whom were recently booted off major jobs with the Foo Fighters and The Who, have also been thrown around for possible replacements.

Back in 2023, Cameron was rumoured to be joining Foo Fighters. The Sun reported that he and Atom Willard – who went on to join Alkaline Trio later that year – were in line to take over from the late Taylor Hawkins, who died in 2022. He denied the rumours at the time, writing on his Instagram Stories, “FYI the internet rumours are false, I haven’t joined the Foos.”

Cameron previously played with Foo Fighters during the Hawkins tribute show in Los Angeles, and his departure from Pearl Jam has led to further speculation that he’ll be joining on a more permanent basis. This time, ahead of the Foos’ concerts later this year.

The post Ex-Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese on potential return to the band: “The water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy” appeared first on NME.