Following the death of Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters paid tribute to him with special shows in London and Los Angeles, where Josh Freese (Vandals, Devo, Gun N’ Roses, etc) joined them on drums for much of the sets. Months later, at a global streaming event where they debuted material off their 2023 album But Here We Are, they said that Freese was their new drummer, and he toured with them up until their most recent shows last year. Freese has now posted on Instagram that he’s no longer in the band, however. He writes:
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. In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry-just a bit shocked and disappointed. But as most of you know I’ve always worked freelanced and bounced between bands so, I’m fine. Stay tuned for my “Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters” list.
In a comment on the post, Tim Heidecker wrote, “Upside is you won’t have to hear any of those horrible songs ever again!”
Josh’s statement comes not long after Foo Fighters announced their first show since Dave Grohl issued a statement on the baby “born outside of my marriage” last year. It happens at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 4. Who will drum with Foos then? Stay tuned.