In Flames become the latest band to fire their drummer: “We wish him nothing but the best”
Swedish heavy metal band In Flames have parted ways with their drummer, Tanner Wayne. They are the latest in a string of prolific bands ridding of their percussion players.
On May 27th, the band wrote on social media: “It is with profound gratitude and appreciation that we announce our creative decision to part ways with Tanner Wayne. His dedication and musicianship over the past several years has left, and will continue to leave, a lasting mark on this band. We wish him nothing but the best.” Comments on the post are disabled.
Wayne joined In Flames in 2018. He featured on two of the band’s records: 2019’s I, The Mask, as well as 2023’s Foregone. They have yet to announce a replacement, despite their European tour kicking off next week.
In April, The Who parted ways with their drummer, Zak Starkey. The band originally announced Starkey’s exit following 29 years of service. However, weeks later, Pete Townshend took to Instagram to share: “News Flash! Who Zak Back! Zak is not being asked to step down from The Who.”
On April 18th, The Who fired Starkey for the second time in two months. Townshend then posted, “After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for change.” However, Starkey revealed that the band fired him and subsequently asked him to lie. “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie,” he wrote on Instagram.
Starkey was also not asked to join the Gallagher brothers for the upcoming Oasis tour. He revealed he was “gutted” about this, adding: “I texted them and said, ‘Why am I not in it?’”. The band instead went with Joey Waronker.
Foo Fighters also parted ways with their drummer, Josh Freese. Also on Instagram, Freese revealed 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.” He then jokingly shared his own list of “10 possible reasons” for his exit.
In March, Guns N’ Roses also announced an “amicable” split with Frank Ferrer, their drummer of 19 years. He was quickly replaced with AWOLNATION’s Isaac Carpenter. The cycle continues,
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