The departure of drummer Josh Freese from Foo Fighters in was a decision that unfolded over months of internal discussion, according to frontman Dave Grohl. In a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Grohl finally addressed the split, offering insight into a complex transition following the tragic loss of Taylor Hawkins in .
Freese joined the band as Hawkins’ replacement in , bringing with him a formidable resume that included collaborations with artists ranging from Michael Bublé to The Offspring. Grohl described Freese as a “consummate professional” with “thousands of studio recordings” under his belt. The initial period with Freese, including a year-and-a-half-long tour, was, by Grohl’s account, a positive experience. “We had such a blast, we had such a great time,” he said.
However, as the band took a break after the tour, a period of reflection began. “In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction,” Grohl explained. The conversation ultimately led to the difficult decision to pursue a different drummer. “We thought, ‘OK, let’s call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer.’”
Grohl emphasized that the decision was a collective one, made by the entire band. “We called, as a band, all of us called, it wasn’t just me,” he stated. The conversation with Freese was framed as an expression of gratitude for his contributions. “Basically, we called Josh, and we were like, ‘Hey man, that was awesome. That was such a blast, thank you so much, but we are going to move on and find another drummer.’”
The band chose not to publicly address the change immediately following the conversation. “After that, we didn’t make a press release, tweet anything or do interviews. We didn’t say anything,” Grohl said. He noted that Freese himself offered a succinct explanation for the parting, suggesting that the Foo Fighters’ musical direction didn’t fully resonate with him. “Josh said it best when he was like, you know, he didn’t feel our music really resonated with him, and that’s really important, right?”
The context of Hawkins’ long tenure with the band – 25 years of the Foo Fighters’ 30-year history – clearly weighed heavily on the decision-making process. Grohl reflected on his own experience joining Nirvana as their fifth drummer, drawing a parallel to the challenges of filling such significant shoes. “So continuing on after Taylor was really complicated, not just for us, but for any drummer that was going to come in to, like, fill his shoes,” he said.
The band has since moved forward with Ilan Rubin, a touring member of Nine Inch Nails, as their new drummer. Grohl expressed a sense of renewed energy with Rubin’s arrival. “It’s like we feel like a band again, man,” he told Lowe.
The news comes as the Foo Fighters prepare to release their 12th studio album, Your Favorite Toy, on . The title track was recently released, and the band performed it on The Graham Norton Show, albeit without guitarist Pat Smear, who is recovering from a foot injury sustained in a gardening accident.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between honoring a legacy and forging a new path, particularly in the wake of profound loss. The Foo Fighters’ careful and considered approach to replacing both Hawkins and Freese underscores the band’s commitment to both its history and its future. The decision wasn’t about finding a like-for-like replacement, but about finding the right fit for the band’s evolving creative direction.
Freese’s subsequent return to Nine Inch Nails suggests a professional parting of ways, allowing him to pursue projects more aligned with his musical sensibilities. For the Foo Fighters, the arrival of Ilan Rubin signals a fresh chapter, one that Grohl clearly believes will allow the band to rediscover its collective identity and continue its journey.
