Dave Grohl Opens Up About Foo Fighters' Drummer Change: 'It Didn't Happen Overnight'

Dave Grohl has finally addressed the Foo Fighters' split with drummer Josh Freese, revealing that the decision was far from impulsive. In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, Grohl explained the intricate dynamics of the band's drummer situation following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins.

Freese joined the Foo Fighters in May 2023, stepping in after Hawkins' passing in March 2022. However, in May 2025, Freese announced his departure, stating the band had decided to "go in a different direction."

Grohl provided context, noting that Nirvana had a series of drummers, and Hawkins held the position for 25 of the Foo Fighters' 30 years. "Continuing on after Taylor was really complicated, not just for us, but for any drummer that was going to come in to like, you know, fill his shoes," Grohl said. He praised Freese as "a consummate professional" with an impressive resume.
Josh Freese

The band toured with Freese for about a year and a half, which Grohl described as a "blast." Following the tour, the band took a break and spent months deliberating their next steps.

"In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction, and we thought, ‘OK, let’s call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer,’" Grohl explained. The decision was communicated collectively, with all band members participating in the call.

Grohl emphasized their gratitude for Freese's 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’re going to move on and find another drummer.’"

While Grohl didn't reveal the specific reasons for the change, he mentioned that the band decided against a public announcement. He alluded to Freese's sentiment that the band's music didn't fully resonate with him, which Grohl considered "really important."

Since then, Freese has rejoined Nine Inch Nails, and the Foo Fighters have welcomed Ilan Rubin, also a touring member of Nine Inch Nails, as their new drummer. Grohl expressed that with Rubin, "we feel like a band again."

The Foo Fighters are gearing up for the release of their 12th album, Your Favorite Toy, on April 24th. They recently performed the title track on The Graham Norton Show, notably without Pat Smear, who is recovering from a gardening accident.

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