Pearl Jam has selected the producer for their soon to be recorded seventh studio album. The latest Pearl Jam update on the official Sony-hosted Synergy Web site says the Pearl Jam is expected to regroup and enter the studio in September to begin work on the record with producer Tchad Blake manning the console. The band expects to release the new album in the year 2000, and they intend to tour nationally and internationally to support it.

Blake's long list of studio credits include Crowded House, Tom Waits and Soul Coughing; he won a Grammy for engineering Sheryl Crow's "Globe Sessions" in 1998, and so far in 1999, he's produced or co-produced projects for Tracy Bonham, Los Lobos, Randy Newman, Ron Sexsmith and The Latin Playboys.

Meanwhile, the web site confirms that previous drummer Jack Irons is officially out of the band. According to previous updates, former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, who has already made contributions to the album's writing and pre-production, is expected to join Pearl Jam in the studio but is still not considered the band's permanent drummer.

Jack Irons played the drums on 1998's "Yield" with Pearl Jam - his legacy will also be heard as a vocalist on a track recorded at that time to be included on the "MOM 3" Surfrider Foundation record due out in August (see "Lit, Smash Mouth Added Alongside Beck, Beasties, Snoop, Pearl Jam On "MOM III"). He left the band on the eve of their tour in April of 1998 due to health issues. He was immediately replaced by Soundgarden's Cameron (see "Ex-Soundgarden Drummer Matt Cameron Replaces Pearl Jam's Jack Irons For Tour"), who was fresh from a stint with the Smashing Pumpkins.

Cameron had maintained that he wouldn't join the Pumpkins on a permanent basis (see "Matt Cameron Says He Won't Be A Pumpkin") because he wanted to pursue his own projects, including Wellwater Conspiracy (who released their second album in February), and Hater.

Other points addressed in the site's rumor rundown: a song called "Boon Gong" which singer Eddie Vedder recorded with Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon is not confirmed for the soundtrack to Tim Robbins' "The Cradle Will Rock" as widely reported. And contrary to comments made by Sean Penn among others, Vedder won't be appearing in any movies, at least not in the foreseeable future.

The Web site does confirm, however, that Pearl Jam will be playing Neil Young's Bridge School benefit in the fall.

Meanwhile, Vedder will be appearing with the Who's Pete Townsend on the David Letterman show tonight (July 28). The pair are scheduled to perform Townsend's "Heart To Hang On To," which is on a bonus CD included with Townshend's forthcoming "Pete Townshend Live." The track was recorded during Townshend's 1997 benefit for Chicago's Maryville Academy charity for disadvantaged youths. Vedder and Townsend are also expected to play at tonight's launch party for the new album at New York's Supper Club.

Vedder has been on quite the Who kick of late. Earlier this month, the singer performed a show in Olympia, WA, with his C Average buddies all dressed as the members of the Who. Vedder, in a blonde wig, playing Roger Daltrey.