r/pearljam • u/LeagueNo4346 Vs. • Jun 23 '26

Band Members New Drummer?

Post image

I keep hearing everyone saying maybe they’ll bring back Big Dave or I’ve even heard Josh Freeze. But I think it could be John Wicks, he’s a studio drummer (worked with Bruno Mars, B.O.B, Ceelo Green, and most notably was the drummer for Fitz and the Tantrums) from Missoula; he plays with Jeff in his other band P.E.S.T. and has helped with the recording and production of past albums, specifically Dark Matter. Plus the Montana connection would make sense.

87 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

117 comments sorted by

205

u/Charming_Bad2165 Jun 23 '26

Anybody who has said that they’ll bring back Dave A is simply delusional.

28

u/BoogieBoardButtPound Jun 23 '26

I think OP might have been referring to Krusen, but it sounds like that’s been ruled out, unfortunately.

11

u/Cloud-VII Jun 23 '26

I'm sure they mean Dave Krusen, especially since he filled in for Matt before. But if Dave A got the call again, I would be extremely stoked. I mean if Faith no More can keep breaking up and getting back together with Mike Patton, nothing is off the table, right?

8

u/StumpyJoe- Jun 24 '26

Stoked to have a guy in the band who doesn't like their music since 1994 and doesn't like the guys in the band?

2

u/Kilgoretrout321 Jun 25 '26

He's said he would love to be back in the band again. I'm assuming he understands they wouldn't just play stuff from the first 3 albums on tour

56

u/99SoulsUp Jun 23 '26

Josh Freeze is Josh Freese’s supervillain alter ego when he falls into a vat of radioactive dry ice

4

u/hostis_72 Jun 23 '26

What does that make John wicks? John wick’s less aggressive twin that doesn’t have a penchant for revenge on people who hurt his dog? He’s more controlled and just takes it out on the drums

23

u/rcap1977 Jun 23 '26

I was not aware but I have heard that it is rumoured to be an unknown under the radar choice. I would personally love to see Stephen Perkins , but I’m just glad they’re still ready for a new era. We will know soon enough. I’ll check out Fitz.

2

u/Kilgoretrout321 Jun 25 '26

If we get Perkins, can we also get Navarro and Avery? 😅 I wish I had gone to see Jane's last tour considering how great the band sounded...I just didn't want to hear how bad Ferrel's voice has become

1

u/BBMspring Aug 02 '26

Stone/Jeff have had some under the radar collaborations with a few different drummers on off-book projects via Loosegroove Records. An engineer friend snagged call sheets for closed drum sessions at Studio Litho with the name Marcheski on them. Engineer said Marcheski left with them to go to Ten Club. Could be nothing but Jeff has nothing to do with Loosegroove. The studio engineer community is playing detective!

21

u/MarvelousT Jun 23 '26

12

u/Dizzy_Pop Jun 23 '26

They’ve wanted him since Vs. Is it finally time?

2

u/SoOutOfFocus Jun 24 '26

This is the only answer.

17

u/Other-Shake-531 Jun 23 '26

Spoiler: new drummer is the kid Ed played with at the Obama library 

5

u/senator_corleone3 Jun 23 '26

That kid is fabulous. Good pick.

1

u/Buckaroo_242 Jun 24 '26

What is his name?

16

u/Bull4-0Everyone Jun 23 '26

Obviously it’s gonna be Pete Sandoval or Dave Lombardo . Their styles fit perfectly with the Pearl Jam sound, straight groove 4/4 time.

6

u/BoogieBoardButtPound Jun 23 '26

I’m holding out for Gene Hoglan.

1

u/pizzafan2 Jun 23 '26

I'm far from a professional drummer, but did Jack Irons always play in 4/4?

5

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '26

6

u/gogoreddit80 Jun 23 '26

Ahh…benante. The Matt Cameron of thrash metal

12

u/weirdmountain Jun 23 '26

Now yall got me hoping hard that it’s Perkins.

2

u/BoogieBoardButtPound Jun 23 '26

That would be an interesting choice. I saw one of his drum clinics and he has some monster chops. Way more technique than he lets on in JA.

2

u/ol_tennesteve Jun 24 '26

Do yourself a favor and listen to Three Days off the Ritual album

1

u/BoogieBoardButtPound Jun 24 '26

That’s probably my favorite Jane’s song.

1

u/Buckaroo_242 Jun 24 '26

Watch the Drum Off Finals with him playing 20th Century Schizoid Man alongside Tim Alexander. https://youtu.be/X48yZzvWT10?is=LVUmU6SOZhnF4Kmr

18

u/TheRealGuncho Jun 23 '26

The drummer in the picture is Matt right?

38

u/Crappin_For_Christ Jun 23 '26

To me it appears to be Tony Hawk.

8

u/Weak_Hamster_5969 Jun 23 '26

I always thought that Matt Cameron looked more like a high school math teacher than 2x Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted certified drumming bad ass … and this picture proves my point.

2

u/meatee Jun 23 '26

The least grungiest in grunge

1

u/Kilgoretrout321 Jun 25 '26

I guess it goes to show that real, fantastic musicians come in all shapes and sizes

8

u/Rearviewmirror93 Jun 23 '26

And P.E.S.T. is also playing at Ohana

1

u/LeagueNo4346 Sep 24 '26

We find out this weekend!!!

5

u/SassiveAggresive Jun 23 '26

For a brief moment, my varied interests collided ...

5

u/Reallyroundthefamily Jun 23 '26

I'm thinking they're going to get someone at least slightly younger.

16

u/PestControl1776 Jun 23 '26

My best friend is a Seattle-based realtor and he says Ringo Starr has been up there looking at homes. Everyone in town is talking: Ringo’s gotta be joining Eddie & the boys. Would be an incredible ending to his upcoming Beatle biopic — going from one goated band to another!

5

u/Separate-Expert-4508 Jun 23 '26

Maybe his son, but probably not.

5

u/birrettafresca Jun 23 '26

Con tutto il rispetto pee Ringo ma credo sia un po' anzianotto per il tipo di batterista che hanno bisogno i PJ,soprattutto per sopportare un eventuale tour

2

u/SportAndNonsense Jun 23 '26

Zak Starkey gets a lot of mentions in the general “next drummer” conversation but based on a few interviews I’ve seen (which I fully appreciate are NOT necessarily representative of what he’s actually like), I’m not convinced he’s the type of guy they’ll bring into the family.

Will be the first one back here to eat humble pie if I’m wrong though!

4

u/AddisonDeWitt333 Jun 23 '26

I hear you. I know someone who knows someone, and apparently Zak is a difficult character.

1

u/wooltab Jun 23 '26

After Paul played with Nirvana, maybe this was inevitable.

4

u/Molecule76 Jun 23 '26

Would you say he’s a harder hitting drummer than Cameron was in PJ? Abbruzzese was my favorite….but who of the past PJ drummers would you compare Wicks’ style to?

4

u/Own-Bar-8530 Jun 23 '26

You present an intriguing case.

3

u/C2tFont Jun 24 '26

Has anyone ever thought of a woman as the new PJ drummer..? I've only read men's names.. Why not a woman, whoever she'll be..?

4

u/Status-Yak5592 Jun 23 '26

Janet Weiss!

4

u/Caleyeru Jun 23 '26

pearl jam have a great opportunity to create havoc. Invite mike portnoy to Pearl Jam HQ. Have the band insta follow and like all of Dave Grohls posts on the platform. Leak a photo of Eddie and Stone at dinner with Danny Carey to the media. Invite Matt Cameron to stay at the same hotel as the band the night before the show.

1

u/dogfacedponyboy Jun 23 '26

This would be great! Maybe spot Eddie at a rush concert, fueling speculation that Annika will play with both Rush and Pearl Jam

2

u/dogfacedponyboy Jun 23 '26

Why wait for a big reveal for a drummer that the average fan does not know? Serious question

2

u/leovedder Jun 25 '26

Who knows Dave A. again, look at him playing Hail Hail:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1540967877463609

1

u/Outrageous-War5079 Jun 26 '26

Jack's got the better feel for this one. In fact, Jack's got the better feel.

4

u/justjoeindenver Jun 23 '26

Gotta wait until September to find out.....

1

u/JahoyHoy49 Jun 23 '26

What’s going on in September?

9

u/Own-Bar-8530 Jun 23 '26

Ohana fest. Drummer unveiling.

6

u/tightropeJim Jun 23 '26

Can’t wait. Also, I have an extra GA all 3 nights. Just in case someone forgot to get one… you know.

2

u/JahoyHoy49 Jun 23 '26

Ahh thanks!

1

u/AdNew813 Jun 23 '26

Would not be surprised if they play a surprise small venue warmup show ahead of Ohana.

2

u/Automatic_Net2181 Jun 23 '26

When September Ends...

3

u/Positive-Owl-5 Jun 23 '26

Played on Jeff’s Deaf Charlie project also, could throw into the mix Richard Stuverud too… 🥁

1

u/Buckaroo_242 Jun 24 '26

I am all for Richard Stuverud.....or Janet Weiss.

3

u/LDawg14 Jun 23 '26

Will Farrell

4

u/pearl_jam20 Jun 23 '26

My heart wants Stuverud.. hoping we would get some RNDM songs.

The strong contender is Stephen Perkins. He has a video on his fb where he plays with PJ and there is chemistry.

7

u/Weak_Hamster_5969 Jun 23 '26

As a PJ and Jane’s fan Stephen Perkins would be my favorite choice. That guy LOVES to drum.

2

u/VermontNatural Jun 23 '26

I think Perkins is at the top of the list for sure if not the one. He seems to have rapport with the band, was formerly with one of the major bands of the 80s and 90s and is a bit younger, but not too much younger than PJ members (he’s 58). I really hope it is not Josh K as he is just a good drummer. Perkins is exceptional and is kind of a mix of Cameron and Irons stylistically. Freese is good but don’t think he is a great fit.

1

u/victorspoilz Jun 23 '26

Weren't there stories circulating that he HAD been named the new drummer?

1

u/pearl_jam20 Jun 23 '26

Yeah he does look like he loves his job.

3

u/warrenmcd Jun 23 '26

Wanting Stuverud as well.

1

u/pearl_jam20 Jun 23 '26

Same, on the other hand I follow Richard on social media he does love the contract gig life, maybe he doesn’t want to be full time.

1

u/twzoneq Jun 23 '26

Man, I didn’t even think about Stephen Perkins until now, that would be awesome

2

u/joezor Jun 23 '26

I hope it will be someone with a more fragile style, not this hard hitting modern drumming style that cameron brought in! It was always a bit to fat a bit to mechanical

9

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '26

1

u/victorspoilz Jun 23 '26

He'sch an exschellent schpeller!

1

u/Late-Criticism-7078 Jun 23 '26

Waylon McAfree is the rumor I’ve been hearing.

1

u/ComfortableCare8897 Jun 23 '26

Please no mention of who might be the new drummer on my Pearl Jam subreddit but it's fun hearing what you have to say.

1

u/Cloud-VII Jun 23 '26

I would like to throw my hat into the ring.

1

u/PJFan1960s Jun 23 '26

Looks like Matt’s illegitimate son!

1

u/SnooBeans974 Jun 23 '26

Dave growl

1

u/jbaque13 Jun 24 '26

What if it’s Matt Cameron’s evil twin Cameron Matthews?

1

u/ViralViruses Jun 24 '26

Wicks' connection with Jeff would explain Jeff’s recent comments about the new drummer having to play some gigs with the band before they can decide if he is a permanent member. Thought it was a strange comment to put that kind of pressure on someone but maybe it’s just that Jeff’s pushing for him but it’s the other guys are still unsure about the fit and need convincing.

1

u/Ok-Chocolate6079 Jun 24 '26

Nick Wilkerson from White Reaper seems like a real possibility.

1

u/Michigan6424 Jun 26 '26

Get Steve Gorman behind that kit!!!!!!!

1

u/Shoddy_Broccoli8058 Aug 18 '26

Incredible how this guys was not even a choice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zxRKFpLgPo

1

u/Suspicious_Shame543 Aug 27 '26

Billy Rymer would be an interesting choice

-1

u/brute-squad Jun 23 '26

Chad Smith. He killed it on the Pj tunes in the Earthlings.

0

u/_ghostrunner_ Jun 23 '26

It'll never happen, but I want them to pick up Steven Drozd for a record just to get weird. Don't know if I can give less of a shit whos nepo kid gets the touring gig.

0

u/Ok_Consequence8304 Jun 23 '26

It’s going to be a twenty five year old they can pay peanuts.

-5

u/WoodenMillk Jun 23 '26

Lars

10

u/st8ofloveandtrust Jun 23 '26

Lars isn’t even the best drummer in Metallica🤣

1

u/HotCut100 Jun 23 '26

Genuinely curious who takes that title?

3

u/zkarabat Jun 23 '26

I love Metallica but Lars' off tempo drumming wouldn't work 😂

3

u/HotCut100 Jun 23 '26

We need them to get a GOOD drummer.

3

u/WoodenMillk Jun 23 '26

I was being ridiculous

-1

u/EddieMoney732 Jun 23 '26

Josh Klinghoffer

-6

u/inhiding1969 Jun 23 '26

Everyone in this thread is wrong except for the one response of an under the radar pick. It is. I know who the drummer is from a reliable source. It is completely left field. When I heard I was like who is this person? This person hits the drums HARD! Like if John Bonham was mixed with Matt C and the groove of a Dave A. I like the pick personally and I hope you all do as well.

2

u/Weird_Yam6398 Jun 23 '26

Ringo?

1

u/PestControl1776 Jun 23 '26
Comment Image

My best friend works at Coldwell Banker in Seattle and he said he took this pic today outside a famous recording studio near the Space Needle. Looks like Pearl Jam is saying: All You Need Is Ringo!!

1

u/inhiding1969 Jun 23 '26

Unfortunately no.

1

u/alarkyparka Jun 23 '26

My friend is the fry cook at Ivar's and he saw Ringo, Mike and Stone eating there yesterday. So this has some truth behind it.

0

u/ComfortableCare8897 Jun 23 '26

that is cool. I talk about an Eddie Vedder movie and the Ringo Starr show on the same podcast.

1

u/SportAndNonsense Jun 23 '26

Fuck that is a mouthwatering description style-wise. Actually read that initially as the groove of Dave G which made me even more excited, but I still hope you’re right!

1

u/PaperOpening4413 Jun 23 '26

Thomas Prigden, you heard it here first

1

u/inhiding1969 Jun 23 '26

Want another guess? That one is wrong

1

u/PaperOpening4413 Jun 24 '26

it was a joke, obviously.

-5

u/axlgreece5202 Jun 23 '26

Cue the tempo complaints in 3...2...1.... and *FANS*

-18

u/InhibitedExistence Jun 23 '26

I think it would be the biggest win and all time power move for the band if they brought back Dave A. They should do it! I've been a fan since the beginning and all along. Do it!

10

u/zkarabat Jun 23 '26

You realize the band didn't like him right?

-4

u/InhibitedExistence Jun 23 '26

Yep, I know that and I know it's wishful thinking... You can't deny the musical chemistry though. I'm living in a fantasy where the gents are able to overcome it.