“Shocked and disappointed”: Foo Fighters have fired drummer Josh Freese
Former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese has announced that he and the band have parted ways.
Freese joined the group in 2023, replacing the late Taylor Hawkins. While his move to the Foos brought with it a heightened level of exposure, he had already established himself as a respected figure in rock worlds, from his work with The Offspring, Weezer, Guns N’ Roses, Danny Elfman, Paramore and Lana Del Rey.
But in an Instagram post shared by the drummer, it has been revealed that the band have decided to move in a different direction and no longer use him as their drummer.
Freese shared, “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.”
He added, “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 freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine. Stay tuned for my “Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters” list.”
Freese made his first official appearance with the band on their live stream ‘Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concert’, in May of 2023, after joining the Foos on drums during star-studded Hawkins tribute concerts in 2022 at London’s Wembley Stadium and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. While Freese has played a part in several high-profile projects, he wasn’t afraid to share his excitement in bagging this role.
He said that he “felt like someone kind of socked me in the stomach,” before adding, “I didn’t go, ‘Wow, yippee, this is so cool!’ I didn’t get excited like that. It was almost like I got the wind knocked out of me. And I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
The band have yet to release an official statement regarding Freese’s exit.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.