Remembering Andy (Andrew Wood)

Matthew Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician renowned for playing drums in the hard 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.

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, when he joined Soundgarden, Cameron had gained so much notoriety in the local music scene that he was immediately 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 '90s. 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 2001'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.

Matt currently resides in Woodway, Washington with his wife, April, and son, Ray.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 3 Jul 2006, 09:44 UTC.