Matt Cameron Recounts Teenage Encounter with KISS and Cease-and-Desist Letter

Pearl Jam’s drummer, Matt Cameron, recently shared a nostalgic anecdote on the Howard Stern Show about receiving a cease-and-desist letter from KISS during his teenage years. The incident occurred after Cameron, also known for his role in Soundgarden, met the iconic rock band as a young musician.

Cameron reminisced about his time in a KISS cover band during his youth, playing gigs at local high schools and parties. He recounted how his father’s connection with the head of the stagehand union in San Diego granted him and his bandmates, Tim and Dave Mahoney, the opportunity to attend a KISS soundcheck at the San Diego Sports Arena during the ‘Alive’ tour in 1975.

Excited to meet their idols, Cameron and his bandmates brought along a photo album documenting their time as a KISS tribute band to share with Paul Stanley. However, several months later, they were taken aback when they received a cease-and-desist letter from KISS’s management, Aucoin Management.

Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, Cameron humorously attributed the letter to their oversight of not appropriately naming their tribute band. Simply calling themselves “KISS” without considering the legal implications led to the band receiving the cease-and-desist order. Consequently, they renamed their band to “KISS (Imitation)” to avoid any further legal issues.

Despite the initial setback, Cameron fondly recalled his teenage enthusiasm for the band and the excitement of receiving a letter from KISS’s management, albeit for the wrong reasons. The experience serves as a lighthearted reminder of the naivety of youth and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

In other news, Pearl Jam’s latest album, ‘Dark Matter’, has received acclaim from critics, including a glowing four-star review from NME. Described as some of the band’s strongest work in recent memory, ‘Dark Matter’ showcases Pearl Jam’s charismatic songwriting and impressive musicianship. The album marks a return to form for the band, blending their classic sound with a willingness to take risks and explore new musical territories.

Overall, Cameron’s anecdote offers a glimpse into his early passion for music and the amusing missteps encountered along the way, while also highlighting Pearl Jam’s continued relevance and artistic evolution.