There’s a moment in Drumeo’s new video where Matt Cameron gazes at his freshly assembled drum kit with a gleam in his eyes—like he’s seeing it for the first time. It’s a rare, intimate exchange between musician and instrument, capturing the spirit of Building the Engine, a two-part mini-series premiering April 16 and 18 on Drumeo’s official YouTube channel.
Alongside him is drum tech Neil Hundt—a crucial figure behind the Pearl Jam sound—guiding viewers through a journey of shells, cymbals, and stories. This isn’t just a drum kit. It’s a vessel of memories, sweat, and sonic craftsmanship.
Part One – Built from the Ground Up
The first episode documents the birth of Matt’s kit, piece by piece. One detail jumps out: a signature badge featuring the silhouette of Pearl Jam’s iconic 1995 tour van—a visual nod to an era of relentless touring and musical evolution. The drum set itself is a hybrid: modern precision fused with vintage soul. It’s engineered not only to power the Dark Matter Tour but to pay homage to the band’s grunge roots.
Part Two – The Roar of the Keplinger
The heart of the setup is revealed in part two: a snarling, heavyweight Keplinger snare drum, built to slice through any sonic wall. Cameron shares:
“After I joined Soundgarden, I realized I needed a louder presence in the mix… This was my first Keplinger. I used it on a bunch of [SG’s] albums.”
Crafted by Seattle legend Greg Keplinger, this snare is more battle axe than instrument—handmade, raw, thunderous. Its dark resonance and brutal tone have earned it a place at the center of Cameron’s arsenal.
More Than a Kit
Building the Engine isn’t just about constructing a drum set—it’s about revealing a musical philosophy. Matt Cameron doesn’t just play songs; he drives them, pushes them, propels them like a hidden engine roaring under the hood of a speeding machine.
And really, how could it be otherwise? For a band that’s always thrived on emotional tension and visceral energy, the rhythmic foundation had to be built with the same care as a masterpiece.
🎥 Part one of Building the Engine is already available on YouTube: Watch it now on Drumeo
📅 Part two premieres on April 18.
UPDATE 4/19/2025
Matt Cameron takes us behind the scenes of Black Hole Sun, Soundgarden’s most iconic track from Superunknown. In this Drumeo video, the drummer shares how the hypnotic groove came to life and reveals fascinating details about the recording process — from the unique snare drum sound to the complex odd-time bridge. A must-watch for musicians and fans alike!
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Dead Kennedys, Mark Lanegan, Cat Power, R.E.M.