Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese has claimed the rock band has let him go without any explanation.
Freese, 52, joined the iconic group in 2023, following the death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
He was previously a drummer for Guns N’ Roses and has worked with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, Sting, The Offspring, and many more.
But his time with the Everlong rockers has come to an end, with Freese taking to social media to announce his departure from the band, which is made up of Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, and Rami Jaffee.
‘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,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘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.’
Music festival famous for helping launch Billie Eilish is coming to London – and you could win tickets
We’ve teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of Music Festival Wristbands valid for 2-7 June 2025.
Headliners include Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, Brit Award-winning artist Mabel, Crystal Castles’s Alice Glass, and East London-based R&B artist NAO, plus emerging talent set to perform at showcase acts around Shoreditch.
Click here to find out more about SXSW London’s incredible events and how to enter to be in with a chance to win, or simply enter your details using the form below. *T&Cs apply.
You have until midnight on Sunday 25th May 2025 to enter. Good luck!
* Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 06:01 BST on 13 May 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 25 May 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit https://metro.co.uk/2025/05/02/win-a-pair-of-music-festival-wristbands-worth-99-to-sxsw-london-23014181/ and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions (by ticking the relevant checkbox) is necessary to enter the promotion. 1 entry per person. 1 prize available per person. There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will win two (2) Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each such wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid from 2 until 7 June 2025. Proof of age and photographic ID is required for entry (18+). The prize, including entry and attendance at SXSW, is subject to and governed by the SXSW’s full ticket terms and conditions here. Full T&Cs apply, see here.
He continued: ‘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.’
The band has not yet addressed Freese’s claims.
Sunny Day Real Estate’s William Goldsmith was the drummer for Foo Fighters when they formed in 1995, leaving the group two years later.
He was replaced by Hawkins until his death in 2022 from a drug overdose.
Hawkins was 50 years old when he died on March 25, 2022, in Bogotá, Colombia, where the Foo Fighters were set to perform later that evening.
Freese performed for the first time with the band in tribute concerts for Hawkins before officially joining the band in 2023.
His appointment was revealed during a livestream featuring cameos from other famous drummers, including Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Tommy Lee of Mötley Crue.
His departure comes months after it was revealed Grohl, 56, was expecting a baby with another woman, despite being married to Jordyn Blum for 21 years.
The woman’s identity was then revealed as Jennifer Young, who said she gave birth on August 1 and put Grohl’s name on the baby’s birth certificate.
Just weeks after news of Grohl’s infidelity became public knowledge, both he and his wife were spotted without wedding rings, and a divorce attorney was hired.
However, it was later reported that they were keen to give things another go, with divorce lawyers being called off by the couple.
Foo Fighters are now said to be on indefinite hiatus, with a source telling The Sun: ‘Being on the road isn’t the best thing for any of them at the moment.’
Metro has contacted representatives for Foo Fighters for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.