Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament releases photo book as band plays first show since Matt Cameron exit

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has published more than 250 of his black-and-white photographs in a new book, just as the band played its first show since drummer Matt Cameron left.

The book, titled Since Forever, came out on Sept. 25. Ament made it with his brother, designer Barry Ament, and paired the images with his own written reflections, according to the interview published by Rolling Stone on Sept. 27.

Ament discussed the project in an episode of Rolling Stone Music Now. The conversation covered the book, Pearl Jam's early days, touring with Neil Young and the band's next chapter.

Photography has run alongside his music for decades. Ament sold his camera to fund his move to Seattle in 1983. He picked up a new camera later while working in the art department for the film Singles, after being told to charge it to the production.

The sheep was his. Ament shot the close-up sheep image on the cover of Pearl Jam's 1993 album Vs. He also shot the covers for the 1998 album Yield, the 2002 album Riot Act and the 2003 collection Lost Dogs.

The live return has drawn close attention. Cameron left Pearl Jam after 27 years as drummer. In a statement published by the band, he said that after 27 fantastic years he had taken his final steps down the drum riser for the group, with messages from both Cameron and the band posted on Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron News page.

Pearl Jam then made a surprise appearance at the Ohana Festival with Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums. It was the band's first show since Cameron's departure. Singer Eddie Vedder told the crowd that Laboriel was helping out for the night.

The band has used stand-in drummers before. When Cameron had Covid in 2022, Pearl Jam brought in veteran Seattle musician Richard Stuverud for the next gig. Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard, both formerly of Mother Love Bone, had invited Vedder to Seattle in October 1990, a meeting that led to Pearl Jam's formation.

For fans, this means two threads at once. There is a printed archive of Ament's work, organised with his brother and told in his own words. And there is an open question on drums, with a festival stand-in confirmed only for the night while the longer-term plan remains to be announced.