Dave Grohl recently addressed Foo Fighters’ decision to part ways with drummer Josh Freese. He explained the band’s reasoning in a statement shared on Apple Music.
The frontman emphasized that the decision wasn’t made hastily. It involved input from all band members regarding their musical direction.
“In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction, and thought, ‘Okay, let’s call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer,'” Grohl said. “It didn’t happen overnight.”
He clarified that the conversation with Freese was a collective band decision rather than his alone.
“We called, as a band, all of us called, it wasn’t just me,” he continued. “Basically, we called Josh and were, like, ‘Hey, man, that was awesome. That was such a blast, thank you so much, but we are going to move on and find another drummer.'”
Grohl also referenced Freese’s own perspective on the situation. This suggested mutual understanding about the musical fit.
“Since then, there’s been a lot of talk about it,” he said. “But I think Josh said it best when he said that he didn’t feel our music really resonated with him, and that’s really important.”
The departure marks the end of a significant chapter for both the band and Freese. His tenure with Foo Fighters began under challenging circumstances.
Stereogum reported that Freese was brought in as the band’s drummer in 2023 to replace the late Taylor Hawkins. He served for two years before being let go in spring 2025. The veteran drummer’s hiring came during a difficult period for the band following Hawkins’ unexpected death in March 2022.
For Freese, the dismissal represented an unprecedented experience in his extensive career. Louder Sound noted that the drummer expressed shock at the decision. He mentioned that in his 40-year drumming career, he had never been fired from a band before. He also mentioned the disconnect between positive on-stage interactions with Grohl and the sudden termination.
The band has since moved forward with their lineup changes. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that longtime Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin joined Foo Fighters as Freese’s replacement. Meanwhile, Freese returned to NIN, a band he had previously worked with.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics within established rock bands when making personnel changes. This is particularly true following the loss of a longtime member like Hawkins. The comments provide insight into the band’s decision-making process and their approach to handling sensitive lineup transitions.
