Pearl Jam has picked a new drummer: Jack Irons.
Irons, of Los Angeles band Eleven and formerly the Red Hot Chili Peppers, played a part in the formation of Pearl Jam by recommending singer Eddie Vedder to bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard.Ament and Gossard had tried to recruit Irons for their new band, but the drummer turned them down.
Pearl Jam's manager, Kelly Curtis, confirmed that Irons would be joining the band, but that contractual details needed to be worked out with Irons' label, Hollywood Records.
Eleven will continue on without Irons, according to Hollywood Records. The band's new album, due in the spring, will feature Irons' drumming. But other musicians will help to complete it. "Right now they're concentrating on finishing the new record," said a publicist for Hollywood Records.
Irons, who could not be reached for comment, replaces former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Ab-bruz-zese, who left the band last summer without explanation. Curtis and band members have continued to be mum about Abbruzzese's departure.
Irons was Pearl Jam's guest drummer in October for its first show in many months at the Bridge School Festival at the Shoreline Amphitheater near San Francisco. Neil Young led the musical lineup.
Pearl Jam, still in the midst of a dispute with Ticketmaster over service fees, dropped plans for a U.S. tour. But an overseas tour will begin in February, with stops in Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.