Josh Freese 'Shocked & Disappointed' After Being Let Go From Foo Fighters
Josh Freese joined Foo Fighters almost two years ago, playing the drums after Taylor Hawkins tragically passed away in March 2022.
Foo Fighters @ HBF Park in 2023 (Credit: Sam Mead)
Nearly two years to the day after joining the Foo Fighters, Josh Freese has been let go. The drummer says he’s “shocked and disappointed” by the development.
Josh Freese has a hugely impressive resume. He played his longest stints with The Vandals and Devo and has made numerous appearances in Guns N’ Roses, Nine Inch Nails, Sting, A Perfect Circle, Paramore, Weezer, and more.
In September 2022, he joined Foo Fighters on stage for their London and Los Angeles tribute concerts, which were held in memory of Taylor Hawkins, who tragically passed away in March 2022. The band took a break following Hawkins’ passing and announced that Freese had joined the band in May 2023.
Freese broke the news that he is no longer in the Foo Fighters on Instagram on Friday (16 May). He wrote:
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. ☹ 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.
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. 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.
Foo Fighters toured Australia with Freese in November and December 2023; the band haven’t played any shows since singer and guitarist Dave Grohl announced that he’d had a child outside of his marriage last September.
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However, Foo Fighters announced their first gig of the year this week, revealing that they’ll perform as part of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix this October.
Reviewing Foo Fighters’ show at Melbourne’s AAMI Park in December 2023, The Music’s Mick Radojkovic said of Freese’s performance, “His performance on the night not only highlights just how damn good he is at his craft, but he brings his own creative flair and shares the fun-loving grin that his predecessor did when jamming hard with the rest of the group. His t-shirt, ‘Not here to fuck spiders,’ was also a titillating treat.”
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