Foo Fighters send drummer Josh Freese packing: 'Shocked and disappointed'

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Foo Fighters have parted ways with drummer Josh Freese, who joined the band following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022.

“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,” Freese shared in an Instagram post. “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.”

Freese who drummed for Devo, Offspring, Nine Inch Nails and Guns N’ Roses, among others, said that in his 40 years as a musician he had never been fired.

“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,” he wrote. “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.'”

The Dave Grohl-fronted band tapped Freese to step behind the drumkit in 2023 after Hawkins’ death the year before while the Foo Fighters were on tour in South America.

 Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee, and Tool’s Danny Carey helped make Freese’s hiring official in a social media video. 

The Foo Fighters’ next live show in 2025 doesn’t take place until October, when they’ll perform at the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.

According to an initial a toxicology report, Hawkins had multiple types of substances in his system at the time of his death in March 2022.

Citing Colombian news magazine Semana, the Daily Mail reported that Hawkins suffered a “cardiovascular collapse” after binging on a cocktail of drugs, including heroin. His heart was also said to have weighed double that of another man in his age range.

Following Hawkins’ death, the band pledged to carry on making music and touring.

“Foo Fighters were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life, and for the past 27 years, our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join a chorus of life together through music,” they wrote on social media.

In an interview with the Postmedia the month before Hawkins died, Grohl reflected on the longevity of the band, saying that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were a success because they shared an unbreakable bond.

“In the Foo Fighters’ world, you don’t have to do anything. If you don’t want to do it, don’t f—ing do it. If you’re not into it, f—ing just say the word. That’s why we’ve lasted so long,” Grohl said.

“Also, we genuinely love each other. There is bottom line no question about that. We run not so much like a gang, but like a f—ing family. It really is that way.”

mdaniell@postmedia.com