Foo Fighters Tap Nine Inch Nails’ Ilan Rubin as New Drummer

In a notable lineup change, Foo Fighters have recruited Ilan Rubin, the longtime drummer for Nine Inch Nails (NIN), while former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese makes his way back to NIN. The switch marks an intriguing full circle in the drumming chairs of two major rock acts.

According to sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter, Rubin is departing NIN to join Foo Fighters. Whether he will serve as a permanent member or primarily a touring drummer remains uncertain. Rubin’s history with Nine Inch Nails spans two significant periods: from 2008 to 2009 and again from 2013 to the present. Notably, at 32 years old, he became the youngest living musician inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of NIN’s 2020 induction. Beyond NIN, Rubin also performs with Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves and has collaborated with Danny Elfman, in addition to releasing solo material as The New Regime.

Josh Freese’s Return to Nine Inch Nails

Josh Freese’s return to Nine Inch Nails is equally significant. Freese had been Foo Fighters’ drummer since 2021, stepping in following the tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins in 2022, but was let go earlier this year. Prior to his tenure with the Foos, Freese drummed for NIN from 2005 to 2008—a position he relinquished to Rubin. His work on albums like Year Zero and The Slip stands out, along with his prolific career, which includes performing with The Vandals, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, and Weezer.

NIN celebrated Freese’s homecoming with an Instagram Story post featuring a photo of the drummer and the caption: “Let’s Fucking Go, @joshfreese.”

Freese reflected on his return and his earlier departure from NIN in an Instagram statement:

“Leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of 2008 was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. My wife and I were expecting our third child, and I knew I needed to step away from life on the road to be home with my family.

NIN was a band that left me walking off stage every single night thinking: ‘That was incredible. We absolutely crushed it.’ And it wasn’t just a feeling, it was a certainty. That level of intensity, pride, and satisfaction after each show is something I’ve rarely experienced anywhere.

Now, being back on tour with Trent and the crew—helping them do what they do best night after night—is something I’m incredibly excited about. To be part of that energy again feels amazing.

If you get a chance to catch one of these shows over the next six weeks, I promise, they’re going to be absolutely unforgettable. Hope to see you out there.”

Foo Fighters’ Fresh Start and Upcoming Plans

Foo Fighters have recently dropped their new single, “Today’s Song,” signaling a fresh chapter as they prepare for upcoming international dates starting in October. Rubin’s arrival injects new energy into the band’s rhythm section as they continue to tour and create.

Meanwhile, Nine Inch Nails gear up for their North American tour, kicking off shortly, now with Freese back behind the drum kit.

This swap between two of rock’s most accomplished drummers underscores the interconnected nature of the industry and promises exciting times ahead for both bands.