Foo Fighters drummer Ilan Rubin has broken his silence over allegations tied to an ongoing legal dispute. He was accused of orchestrating a scheme to seize control of Q Drum Co., a boutique drum manufacturing company he co-owned with his late business partner Jeremy Berman. Berman passed away from stomach cancer in January 2023. His estate has since filed a cross-complaint against Rubin in San Bernardino Superior Court.
In his statement, Rubin addressed the accusations directly. He emphasized his long personal and professional relationship with Berman and clarified his financial involvement with the company.
“Hello all. I feel like I need to share a perspective that has been sorely missed from a recent smear campaign,” Rubin said. “Please be aware that I have the full support of Jeremy’s parents regarding this matter, and it means the world to me.”
Rubin went on to describe the nature of his friendship with Berman and the circumstances that led him to seek legal counsel.
“I knew Jeremy for about 32 years, and we were in business together for the last 10,” he continued. “He was a phenomenal guy and undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest drum builders. No question. He was a very close friend who I loved dearly. After his death, all of the loose ends related to Q Drum Co. needed resolution, and it fell to me. I tried to do it in a patient, polite, and understanding manner, but it is an odd feeling when you get a notice of a warehouse lease termination out of the blue, only to find a workshop has been all but gutted. Still, I tried to handle things personally and directly, but eventually had to seek legal representation.”
Rubin also pushed back against suggestions that he stood to profit from the legal proceedings.
“I’d like to take this moment to say that while I invested money into Q over the years, I never took out a penny,” he said. “In the aftermath, I invested thousands more in legal counsel with nothing to gain other than the green light, based on our operating agreement, to deal with Q’s legal affairs in an above-board manner.”
He then addressed how the dispute became public, expressing frustration over the way it was handled on social media.
“Nearly six months in, after having honestly tried absolutely every possible way to resolve this amicably, the final option left to me was tastelessly publicized on social media with the flashy words ‘lawsuit!’ and ‘attempt to control estate!'” Rubin said. “The person on the other side of this dispute was told by a very well-respected lawyer that if she was willing to take on her appointed role and initiate probate proceedings, we would be more than willing to discuss stepping away from the proceedings personally.”
“But she hasn’t taken steps to initiate probate and has instead put her energy into posting about it on social media for some inexplicable reason while making it sound like I am profiting from the petition — I am not!” he continued. “I’m very thankful for the kind words I’ve received and truly appreciate the people who were able to see through the disparaging posts.”
The legal dispute over Q Drum Co. sits at the intersection of grief, business, and public scrutiny. This combination has made it particularly charged for everyone involved.
Rubin joined the Foo Fighters as their drummer in 2024, stepping into one of rock music’s most high-profile seats following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. His addition to the band marked a significant chapter in the Foo Fighters’ ongoing evolution. It also brought renewed attention to his broader career and personal life. Before joining the Foo Fighters, Rubin had built a reputation as a versatile and technically accomplished musician. He previously served as the drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves, among other projects.
Q Drum Co. was not a side hobby for Rubin — it was a serious business venture rooted in a decades-long friendship. Founded with Jeremy Berman, the company specialized in handcrafted, boutique drum kits that earned a devoted following among professional musicians and collectors. Berman was widely regarded as one of the most skilled drum builders in the world. Q Drum Co. reflected his craftsmanship and passion for the instrument.
Berman’s death left the company without its central creative force and created an immediate legal and operational vacuum. With no clear succession plan in place, the business affairs of Q Drum Co. became entangled with Berman’s estate. This set the stage for the dispute that has since played out in both the courts and on social media. Probate proceedings, which would formally establish how Berman’s assets and business interests are to be handled, have not yet been initiated by the opposing party.
The case has drawn attention not only because of Rubin’s growing public profile with the Foo Fighters, but also because it raises broader questions about what happens to small, passion-driven businesses when a founding partner dies without a clear legal framework in place. For Rubin, the situation has been both a personal loss and a logistical burden. He says he has tried to resolve it quietly and respectfully, only to find himself the subject of a very public accusation campaign. The legal dispute remains ongoing, with no resolution publicly announced at this time.
Source: chorus.fm
