Rock fans were surprised last week to learn that Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese had been dismissed from the band. The drummer announced via social media: 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.’”
On Monday, Freese actually followed up with the aforementioned, and very tongue-in-cheek, Top 10 list. It reads as follows:
10) Once whistled “My Hero” for a week solid on tour.
9) Could only name one FUGAZI song.
8) Two words: polyrhythms.
7) Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed “soulless.”
6) Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath.
5) Never even once tried growing a beard.
4) Didn’t show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
3) Promised Noodles [THE OFFSPRING] he could be 4th guitarist.
2) Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show.
1) The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much
Freeze was hired to fill the vacancy left by the late Taylor Hawkins who sadly passed away in 2022. He has played with numerous bands over his lengthy career including The Vandals, Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle and Devo, to name just a few.
