Jeff Ament Thinks Side Projects Help Pearl Jam’s Existence

Over the years, Pearl Jam members have embarked on various musical projects outside of the band: Eddie Vedder has gone solo; Stone Gossard has Brad; Matt Cameron has remained a member of the reunited edition of Soundgarden; and Mike McCready has gone solo and performed with a variety of other groups over the years.

On March 4, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament’s other band, RNDM, will release their second album, Ghost Riding, through Dine Alone Records. Tour dates with that outfit will occur, followed shortly thereafter by Pearl Jam’s North American arena and stadium tour.

While it sounds like that would be a lot of juggling for Ament, he has told Rolling Stone that being able to step outside of Pearl Jam from time to time is healthy and beneficial to the band’s future.

“You have to go out and do your own thing and learn new things, how to create differently,” he says. “You bring something new back to the band each time. Sometimes when you play with new people there’s a rough patch after the honeymoon period and you appreciate the 25 years you had with your other bandmates. It’s amazing to be able to do it all. I feel super lucky.”

RNDM Tour Dates:

March 4 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

March 7 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre

March 8 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel

March 9 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry at the Fillmore

March 11 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music sHall

March 13 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club

March 15 – Chicago, IL @ Double Door