Dave Grohl Addresses Josh Freese’s Exit From Foo Fighters

In the spring of 2025, Foo Fighters quietly but decisively announced that they would be continuing without drummer Josh Freese. The news first surfaced through Freese himself, who shared the band’s message in an Instagram statement.

“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 wrote. “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 had joined the group in 2022, initially serving as one of several drummers during tribute concerts honoring the late Taylor Hawkins. Not long after, he became the band’s permanent drummer, stepping into one of the most emotionally charged roles in modern rock following Hawkins’ death. By 2024, however, the band stepped away from touring, creating space for reflection about its future.

Inside the Band’s Deliberations

According to frontman Dave Grohl, the choice to move forward without Freese was not rushed. Speaking to Apple Music 1 (via NME), Grohl explained that the group used its time off to reassess its direction.

“In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction, and thought, ‘OK, let’s call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer,’” Grohl said, emphasizing that the decision “didn’t happen overnight.”

“We called, as a band, all of us called, it wasn’t just me,” he added. “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.’”

Soon after, it was announced that Ilan Rubin, best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, would join Foo Fighters, while Freese returned to NIN, where he had previously served as a touring member from 2005 to 2008.

Life After Taylor Hawkins

Grohl later suggested that the transition may have been inevitable. “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.”

Freese echoed that sentiment in an August 2025 interview with The New York Times, where he spoke candidly about the pressure of stepping into Hawkins’ role. “It wasn’t music that I really resonated with,” he said. “I’m coming in as Dave Grohl’s drummer, and the guy that’s supposed to save the day after the beloved Taylor Hawkins died.” He added that the expectations made him feel “like I had to be firing on all cylinders all the time.”

Hawkins was 50 years old when he was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia, where Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform later that evening. His death, later ruled a drug overdose, left an immeasurable void within the band. Grohl has repeatedly acknowledged how difficult it has been to continue without a drummer who was also a brother and best friend.

“We had Taylor Hawkins as our drummer for 25 years,” Grohl said. “Beyond being an amazing drummer, he was this incredible spirit. He was this incredible human being and he was our brother.”

As Foo Fighters prepare to launch a stadium tour beginning August 4 in Toronto, the band continues to navigate its evolution with Hawkins’ presence still deeply felt. Rather than attempting to replace him, the group appears focused on honoring his energy and legacy while allowing itself the freedom to move forward—on its own terms, and at its own pace.