Matt Cameron , drummer for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden , recently received a letter of "apology" stemming from a dispute during his adolescence. The musician had received an order preventing him from using the name KISS when playing in a cover band; the apology was granted by the company that managed the band, Aucoin Management .
Previously, the drummer recounted the details of the episode on SiriusXM's Howard Stern Show, which aired in 2024 (via Loudwire ):
“I played in a KISS cover band in the neighborhood when I was about 13 or 14 years old. We played in the local school's kegs and everything. And my dad was friends with the head of the stagehands' union in San Diego. So, when KISS played there—it was during the 'Alive!' tour, so it was in 1975—we went to see KISS do a soundcheck at the San Diego Sports Arena.”
Upon arriving, Cameron and his bandmates brought a photo album of their band, intending to show it to vocalist Paul Stanley .
“We took a picture with him. And then we kind of thought, ‘Hey, man, we’re a KISS cover band. Here’s our little photo album.’”
However, despite the euphoria, months later they received a letter from Aucoin Management. Matt and his bandmates, who were teenagers and didn't understand copyright, had simply used the name KISS for their own cover band.
The letter received contained an order to cease using the name, as they had infringed on the band's trademark.
“We were huge KISS fans. So, KISS used to put the Aucoin Management logo on their albums, so we were all excited when we got the letter. 'Wow, we're getting a letter from Aucoin Management. We did it.' And it was a cease and desist letter from KISS.”
Therefore, from that point on the band was called “KISS (Imitation)”.
Matt Cameron Officially Receives "Pardon"
After the story of Matt Cameron's legal action against KISS spread, the drummer announced that this "fight" with the band he so admired was finally over.
Roman Fernandez , biographer of Bill Aucoin (who was one of the founders of Aucoin Management), sent Cameron a letter dated May 2nd. However, this letter was a "pardon," officially canceling Cameron's registration violation.
Thus, Fernandez joked in the letter: “With all the powers (not) granted to me, I officially declare the Aucoin Management termination and withdrawal letter null and void.”
Cameron shared the letter on his social media, along with a business card from Aucoin Management and some freebies, writing: “CASE CLOSED. Thank you so much, Roman Fernandez, for this incredibly thoughtful gift.”
Check out Matt Cameron's post on Instagram:
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