08/09/2025
Former PEARL JAM Drummer DAVE KRUSEN Says Lack of āDisciplineā and āPartyingā Led to His Exit From the Band.
Drummer Dave Krusen joined Pearl Jam in 1990, leaving the following year in 1991 after recording the bandās debut album āTen.ā Shortly after, Krusen checked himself into rehab. In a recent interview with Slowhands Rock Talk Show, Krusen spoke about Pearl Jamās early days and the personal issues that led to his exit from the iconic band.
Recalling his first encounter with Eddie Vedder, Krusen noted how blown away he was the first time he heard the frontman sing.
āWe were like working on those songs and then he came up. Itās like, āOh Eddieās here. I was like, āWhat? Who? Oh, nice to meet you.ā And as soon as he started singing. I was just like, āOh my god, wow.ā You know, I was pretty blown away,ā Krusen said.
He continued, acknowledging the impressive work ethic and talent level that every member of Pearl Jam brought to the band.
āAnd Iād worked with a lot of talented people up to that point. And I just was really struck with the way everything sounded, and the way they worked was really cool. It wasnāt a grind, but they were so likeā things just got done. It was very serious. It was on another level that Iād not really [experienced], you know. Which was kind of like part of my downfall was I hadnāt gotten that serious yet.ā
Addressing what ultimately led to his departure from Pearl Jam, Krusen admitted he just wasnāt as focused as his then bandmates.
āI was still just partied all the time and, you know, I hadnāt gotten focused like the rest of the band. ā¦Parties, zero disciplineā¦ and eventually I paid the price.ā
