Pat Smear Finally Gives His Reaction About John Freese Being Fired
via NaJay / Youtube
The Foo Fighters have been through a lot since the heartbreaking loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. In 2023, renowned session drummer Josh Freese joined the band, helping them push forward through grief. But in May 2025, the band surprised fans by letting Freese go. Though the official reason wasn’t given, the news sparked reactions from both fans and the band members themselves.
A Tough But Thoughtful Goodbye
In a recent interview, guitarist Pat Smear opened up about the difficult decision to part ways with Freese. He praised the drummer’s contributions, saying, “Josh brought amazing talent and energy to the Foo Fighters. We’re incredibly thankful for everything he gave us. This wasn’t an easy call to make, but it was something we felt we had to do.” Smear also acknowledged the unique challenge of moving forward after Hawkins’ passing, emphasizing how much Freese helped them during a painful time.
Reflecting on the Band’s Future
According to Smear, the decision was more about emotion and identity. “He helped us carry on when we were still healing,” Smear said. “Eventually though, we had to really reflect on who we are as a band now and where we’re headed musically, personally, and emotionally.” Though no new drummer has been officially named, many fans are speculating about Taylor Hawkins’ son, Shane, who wowed audiences with his powerful tribute performance in 2022.
No Bad Blood, Just Moving On
Despite being let go, Freese took it all in stride. He even posted a humorous top 10 list on Instagram joking about his possible “offenses,” like “whistling ‘My Hero’ too much” or being too obsessed with his poodles. Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl later clarified that “It wasn’t personal. Josh is an incredible drummer and a great guy. We just needed to make a change that we felt was right for where we’re heading next as a band.”
The Foo Fighters will perform next at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on October 4th—and fans are eager to see what comes next.
