Josh Freese has addressed his exit from Foo Fighters, saying the band’s music wasn’t something that he “really resonated with”.
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In May, the Foos announced that Freese had been let go as their drummer, with Freese saying he was “shocked” and “disappointed” by the booting.
He had joined the Foos as their touring drummer in 2023 following the sudden passing of Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.
Now, he’s opened up about the sacking in an interview with the New York Times, saying: “Looking back, it was probably more an issue with their management.”
Then, when asked about his feelings on the group now, he told the paper: “It wasn’t music that I really resonated with.”
Freese added that his two-year stint in the band was a high-pressure situation. “I’m coming in as Dave Grohl’s drummer, and the guy that’s supposed to save the day after the beloved Taylor Hawkins died,” he said, adding that it left him feeling “like I had to be firing on all cylinders all the time.”
Since his departure, fans have been speculating who would be joining Dave Grohl and co. behind the kit, including shortly-lived talks of Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane, and Soundgarden/ex-Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron.
In July, it was reported that the Foo Fighters had locked in their new drummer, in the form of Nine Inch Nails‘ Ilan Rubin. Then, Nine Inch Nails confirmed Rubin’s departure, sharing an image of Freese with the caption “Let’s fucking GO”.
According to the New York Times article, Freese was asked to step in after Rubin left to tour with the Foos. Reflecting on the drummer swap, Freese said: “I couldn’t believe it,” before adding: “But Ilan’s a phenomenal drummer, a phenomenal musician. He’ll be perfect for the gig.”
Following his shock firing from the Foos in May, Freese wrote that “the Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided ‘to go in a different direction with their drummer’. No reason was given. Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage and I support whatever they feel is best for the band.”
He later jokingly shared 10 possible reasons why he was “booted” from the band, including whistling “‘My Hero’ for a week solid on tour” and “starting every rehearsal with a 20 minute cowbell sound bath”.
This will mark Freese’s second stint with Nine Inch Nails, as he had previously served as the band’s drummer between 2005 and 2008 – before he was ironically replaced by Ilan Rubin.
Freese has since commented on returning to Nine Inch Nails: “Leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of 2008 was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. My wife and I were expecting our third child, and I knew I needed to step away from life on the road to be home with my family. NIN was a band that left me walking off stage every night, thinking ‘That was incredible. We absolutely crushed it.’ And it wasn’t just a feeling, it was a certainty. That level of intensity, pride and satisfaction after each show is something I’ve rarely experienced anywhere else.”
He continued: “Now, being back on tour with Trent and the crew – helping them do what they do best night after night – is something I’m incredibly excited about. To be part of that energy again feels amazing. If you get a chance to catch one of these shows over the next six weeks, I promise, they’re going to be absolutely unforgettable. Hope to see you out there.”
In May, it was announced that the Foo Fighters will play their first show of 2025 at the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. He also recently appeared on a new Ed Sheeran track titled ‘Drive‘ for the F1 soundtrack. The band also recently unveiled 2025 world tour dates in Indonesia and Japan, which you can find tickets for here.
Since then, they’ve shared a nifty cover of Minor Threat’s ‘I Don’t Wanna Hear It’, and in early July marked their 30th anniversary with a new single, ‘Today’s Song’. Grohl also thanked every former member of the band for their contributions throughout the years, including Freese.
The comeback gigs in October will also mark the band’s first appearances together since Dave Grohl courted controversy last September when he revealed that he had fathered a daughter outside of his marriage.
