Matt Cameron never stops.
In addition to being the drummer of two of the most influential bands in rock history, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, he has long been working on side projects that highlight his musical versatility. One of these is Is This Real?, originally formed as a tribute to the Wipers but now set to take a step forward with the release of their first original songs.
Who Are the Wipers?
For those who may not be familiar with them, the Wipers were one of the most influential bands in the American punk and alternative scene. Formed in Portland in the late 1970s, the trio led by Greg Sage defined a unique sound characterized by abrasive guitars, melancholic melodies, and an independent attitude. Their debut album, Is This Real?, released in 1980, is considered a masterpiece of the genre and has inspired generations of musicians, from Nirvana to the Melvins. The name of Matt Cameron’s band is a direct homage to the impact the Wipers left on rock music.
From Covers to Original Songs
It all began in 2023 when Cameron decided to pay tribute to the Wipers by naming his new band after their debut album, Is This Real?.
Their live debut came on August 9, 2023, at The Royal Room in Seattle, with a lineup that included young guitarist Caspian Coberly, Shane Smith of Ten Miles Wide, and Will Andrews. The setlist was entirely dedicated to the Wipers, with songs like Return of the Rat and Window Shop For Love played with energy and respect for the legacy of Greg Sage’s band.
In December of the same year, Is This Real? repeated the experience by opening for Walking Papers at The Crocodile in Seattle, further establishing their reputation as a band capable of faithfully recreating the raw and direct sound of the Wipers with authenticity and passion.
Opening for Pearl Jam and What’s Next
Then, to everyone’s surprise, came the big break. On May 10, 2024, Is This Real? took the stage at the Moda Center in Portland as the opening act for Pearl Jam, during one of the dates of the Dark Matter World Tour. It was a perfect opportunity to perform in their hometown, the very city that gave birth to the Wipers, and introduce the project to a larger audience.
But the real turning point came recently: Cameron and his bandmates announced that they were in the process of mixing their first original songs. The Wipers tribute was just the starting point, but now the band has found its own identity and is ready to present new, original material. The release of these songs is expected soon, and promises to be an exciting new chapter in Cameron’s musical journey.
IS THIS REAL?
Matt Cameron – Vocals, Guitars
Caspian Coberly – Guitars
Shane Smith – Bass
Will Andrews – Drums
Matt Cameron and His Collaborations
In the meantime, Cameron has not been idle. He recently released New Beginning, an EP created with singer Shaina Shepherd, featuring contributions from Krist Novoselic of Nirvana and Alain Johannes of Eleven. This project once again showcases his openness to new collaborations and musical influences.
Awaiting the New Songs…
The anticipation for the first original material from Is This Real? is high, and fans have been able to follow every update directly on the band’s official Instagram account, available at @isthisrealband.
In the meantime, what better way to prepare for the release of the new songs than by revisiting Is This Real?, the seminal album by the Wipers that inspired the entire project? An album that, over forty years since its release, continues to sound fresh and essential.
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.