Jeff Ament, the bassist with Seattle grunge legends Pearl Jam, was robbed at knifepoint yesterday, outside Southern Tracks Recording studios in Atlanta, where the “Jeremy” rockers are working on their ninth LP.

According to a police report, Ament and a band employee pulled up to the back of the studios, and were preparing to enter when three men brandishing knives and wearing black masks ran at them. Chased and knocked to the ground, Ament was robbed of his passport, BlackBerry and AUS$3,938 of cash, plus other goods totalling $5,670. The pair’s rented Jeep was also damaged.

No arrests have been made, but the incident was captured on a surveillance camera.

Pearl Jam are currently recording with long-time engineer Brendan O’Brien on the new album, which they plan to self-release in 2010.