Pearl Jam - Dave Krusen & Dave Abbruzzese
May 24, 2007 by Albert Costill in GeneralComment
Before Pearl Jam, the band called themselves Mookie Blaylock and they became complete with the addition of Dave Krusen on drums. Dave Krusen was only around for Ten and then he was gone. Since departing PJ, Dave Krusen has been pretty active playing with bands such as Hovercraft, Unified Theory, Cheyenne Kimball and Candlebox. Word on the street is that he’s working on a solo album.
Check out Unified Theory - The Sun Will Come
After Dave K. left, Matt Chamberlin came in and then left shortly afterward to join the Saturday Night Live Band.
Before Chamberlin left he did suggest that Dave Abbruzzese be given a shot. Dave Abbruzzese then became PJ’s drummer from 91′ to 94′.
Dave Abbruzzese’s hard hitting drums add a ton of depth on Vs. and Vitalogy, but he was soon fired by the band; I read it was because Eddie and him didn’t get along. After PJ, Dave participated in a couple of Jimi Hendrix tribute albums, playing with Hendrix bandmates Billy Cox and Noel Redding, and had a band called Green Romance Orchestra.
Many fans argue the Dave Abbruzzese was PJ’s best drummer; judge for yourself, check out this tribute clip.
So who else has played drums for Pearl Jam? Today must be the day of the cliffhanger - Stay Tuned!
chris zupsic on Mon, 15th Sep 2008 12:35 am
Without a doubt, these were their best days, and Dave was an integral part. Matt Cameron really fucking blows…
Albert Costill on Mon, 15th Sep 2008 1:42 pm
The early 90’s may have been their glory days, but Pearl Jam is still going strong. They’re still pumping out great albums and putting on awesome shows.
And, I wouldn’t say that Matt Cameron “blows”. He’s one of the best. His addition to Pearl Jam pretty much closes the deal on why they’re the best American band.
Dave A. was great, but the way he played, there was no way that he could still be hanging around. I believe that’s why he doesn’t play too much anymore.
Wiggie on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 12:07 pm
Matt Cameron is a soundgarden drummer, Rock, Pearl Jam excel as a grunge band. Dave Krusen added the technical to the grunge seamlessly and from that they went downhill, Eddies voice doesn’t need to be screaming crap soundgarden rock, he’s not Cornell. Go back to Grunge change your drummer and bring the world back into sync.
Wiggie on Fri, 14th Nov 2008 12:08 pm
As a side note Matt Cameron is an amazing drummer
Ludwig Von Sabian on Tue, 3rd Mar 2009 3:22 pm
Dave Abbruzzese is an amazing drummer with, and without Pearl Jam. PERIOD. He took Krusen work from the Ten album, and added his signature heavy hitting, use of splashes, as well as some very impressive fills that I would be hard pressed to believe Dave Krusen, Jack Irons, OR Matt Cameron could pull off. All those guys are great drummers, but none had the power of Dave A. He played so hard he gave himself carpal tunnel in both his wrists. Matt’s a great drummer, don’t get me wrong, but he is a much better drummer with Soundgarden. He’s a jazz-ier player, and therefore a lot of the ablums he didn’t create with Pearl Jam suffered because of that. Check out videos of Even Flow and compare the drummers if you like, but I would almost lay money on it that you will find Dave A. more entertaining to watch. Jack Irons is a pretty funky drummer, but I’m sure his constant drug use didn’t help his stay with Pearl Jam.
As for why Dave A. left - He was tired of the politics. Pearl Jam was fighting Ticket Master, and Dave clearly wanted no part of that. While the rest of the band constantly tried to reject their fame…Dave embraced it. They wanted to save the world…Dave just wanted to play good music, and be the rock star everyone knew he was. This is why they are no longer together.
It’s great to see no one has forgotten about him though!
It would be a sad thing to see such an amazing drummer like that go to waste.
Also, for anyone who digs great unknown drummers. Go check out TOMMY TAYLOR, and his work on the Ah Via Musicom album with Eric Johnson. Simply amazing.
Buddy Poorer on Fri, 17th Apr 2009 6:02 pm
Pearl Jam was definately at their best with Dave Krusen. His style and ear for the song was leaps and bounds better than Dave Abbruzzese’s hard hitting (John Bonham-esque) approach. Will we ever see PJ make another record with Dave Krusen? I have been waiting for years to see then together again. Matt Camron has some of the most amazing fills and sound with Soundgarden, but your right…with PJ he just sounds out of place. Sad, really.
Jahbram on Sun, 31st May 2009 2:44 am
I like the drummers when they play the albums they recorded … I like Matt playing “Binaural” songs for example … but he sucks specially playing “Ten” and “Vs” songs … I know Dave A. didn’t record “Ten” but he really did a fucking great job … and talking about Jack i love “No Code”, very creative patterns, he adds a meditative, inpirational and epic textures … just love his style … that’s what I fell …
john81 on Mon, 1st Jun 2009 3:53 pm
Dave Abbruzzese was a major part of pearl jam. It is scary to think how good pearl jam might have been if he had played on the ten album. Listen to the even flow video and be blown away. Pearl Jam lost it all when dave left. People just show up to hear alive and betterman or any of the hits even though hardcore fans claim they love every album/song.
Albert Costill on Mon, 1st Jun 2009 5:11 pm
John, I wouldn’t say that they lost it when Dave A. left. They made their two best albums, No Code and Yield, without him.
And, I have to disagree with you that people only go to their shows for the hits. For every person at a PJ show only there for “Alive”, I’ve seen one there that is a die hard singing along to every word of every song. Pearl Jam has built a very loyal fan base that devotes an endless amount of time and money on them.
Jahbram, I have to agree with your point. For some reason PJ is able to assimilate their drummers rather well. I can’t imagine either Dave or Matt playing on No Code, or even Yield. And the same goes with Dave A. on Vs. and Matt from Binaural on. Each drummer just fit for that album.
However, I think Matt does a great job overall. He has some sick drum solos during “Evenflow”.
jim jarmusch on Fri, 12th Jun 2009 5:12 pm
jack irons was the best of them all..just listen to the grooves on no code and yield and you’ll see…..and check out the single video theory dvd and you’ll see why he’s the best…im praying that some day they kick off matt…cause like you guys said he’s more like a better player on soundgarden (psychodelic jazz beats…the style hes the best at) or his other jazz proyects as well…and bring back jack to pj…
Jared Nelson on Mon, 15th Jun 2009 5:44 am
I would have to say that each drummer did great work on the albums that they recorded on. I love Jack Irons and Dave Abbruzzese. I have to agree that Matt Cameron just can’t grasp the feel of the older stuff. It is painful to watch or listen to him try to play the stuff live. It’s kind of funny how their music has evolved with each drummer. Come to think of it, I pretty much hate all of the albums that Matt Cameron has played on. On another note, Cameron always has a stupid looking haircut which doesn’t help my case with him. Just thought I would throw that in for no reason.