Happy Birthday Matt Cameron

Whether he's a full-time member of a band, a hired gun, part of a side project, or a special guest, Matt Cameron is unquestionably one of rock's finest and most versatile drummers. Matthew D. Cameron was born on November 28, 1962, in San Diego, CA, taking up drums at the age of nine, and landing the lead vocals on the song "Puberty Love" for the '70s cult classic flick Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. After relocating to Seattle, WA, in the early '80s, Cameron joined the band Skin Yard, appearing on their self-titled debut. But by the time of the album's 1987 release, Cameron had already moved on to another up-and-coming Seattle band, Soundgarden. With the late-'80s heavy metal scene comprised of either unbearable glam metal or one-dimensional thrash metal, Soundgarden returned metal to its earthy Sabbath/Zeppelin roots, and spiked it with punk's aggression. The band put out several independent releases (the EPs Screaming Life and Fopp on Sub Pop, plus the full-length Ultramega OK on SST), and created quite a buzz in both the metal and alternative communities. A&M Records signed the band, issuing a string of classic releases -- 1989's Louder Than Love, 1991's Badmotorfinger, and 1994's Superunknown -- which saw Soundgarden become one of rock's biggest bands, as they were one of the leaders of the early-'90s "Seattle Explosion" (along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, etc.) Cameron also found the time to appear on a variety of other artists' recordings/side projects (Tone Dogs -- Ankety Low Day, Temple of the Dog's self-titled debut, Hater's self-titled debut, Eleven -- Thunk), as well as lending his drumming talents to Pearl Jam's original demos. Surprisingly, Soundgarden decided to call it quits in 1997 at the apex of their commercial success (just off a co-headlining slot of Lollapalooza and their best-selling release Down on the Upside). Cameron kept himself busy with a band that began as a side project but then became a full-time proposition, Wellwater Conspiracy. While the group (whose sound was a conglomeration of lo-fi alt-rock and such '60s sounds as garage rock, psychedelia, and mod) would employ various musicians on their albums (1997's Declaration of Conformity, 1999's Brotherhood of the Electric, and 2001's The Scroll and its Combinations), Cameron and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain would serve as the band's core. In addition, Cameron joined his pals in Pearl Jam when their drummer, Jack Irons, had to bow out for health reasons, resulting in several world tours with the group and appearing on their 2000 release, Binaural (as well as their concert DVD, Touring Band 2000, which contained a special "Matt cam" added feature). Somehow, Cameron also found the time in his busy schedule to guest on solo releases by Rush's Geddy Lee (My Favorite Headache) and Tony Iommi (Iommi). ~ Biography by Greg Prato