Josh Freese has discussed life after his departure from Foo Fighters, saying “no one should feel sorry” for him.
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In May last year, the Foos announced that Josh Freese had been let go as their drummer, with Freese saying he was “shocked” and “disappointed” by the decision. He had joined the band as their touring drummer in 2023 following the sudden passing of Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.
He was replaced by former Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin, with Freese going in the opposite direction, appearing with Trent Reznor and co. on their North American tour in August.
Since his departure from Foo Fighters, he’s also reunited with Weezer – who he played with as a touring drummer between 2007 and 2012 – joining the band on their South American trek last November.
Now, in a new interview with Modern Drummer, Freese has reflected on his time with the Foos, as well as life since.
“I have a couple small theories, but I can’t really go into them right now,” he began, of his sacking from the band. “I did really enjoy the two years I spent with those guys however, and they were good to me… until they weren’t,” he told the magazine.
“I liked playing with them. And I loved having Dave [Grohl] as a bandleader. I truly respect him so much as a drummer first and foremost,” he added. “To me, he’s a drummer first and everything else is second. I’ve listened to him on all the great records he’s played drums on more than I’ve listened to any Foo Fighters stuff. It really was cool being in a band where the leader is a phenomenal drummer that you respect.”
Freese went on to say, “I enjoyed being around those guys, they were generous and good to me… and that’s what makes the whole thing even more of a mystery. I think I’m a pretty good read on people, and I did not see that coming. One day it was nothing but laughs, we’re on stage and Dave’s looking at me every night like, ‘You’re killing it dude!!!’ And then it was just… over.”
As for finding out he was fired, Freese recalled, “The day it went down I was hanging out on a day off with A Perfect Circle and the Primus guys. Everyone was in shock and asking me what the hell happened. I just remember thinking that I was really grateful to be out there on tour with my friends and with a great crew… playing music I liked with people that I’ve had a long history with.”
Freese went on to reflect on life since the sacking. “Someone recently said to me, ‘Man, you’ve had a tough year.’ And I thought, Really? So the Foo Fighters thing is over. Big deal, that was a blip,” he said.
“The fact that I’ve been touring with Nine Inch Nails and A Perfect Circle again, playing some shows with Weezer, working in the studio with everyone from Danny Elfman to Billy Idol,” he added. “I feel like I’m back where I belong. Trust me… no one should feel sorry for me.”
Regarding his departure from Foo Fighters, Freese said in May that “no reason was given” but that he “enjoyed the past two years with them” and that he supports “whatever they feel is best for the band”. He also jokingly shared his “10 possible reasons for being booted from Foo Fighters.”
In August, he reflected that the move was “probably more an issue with their management” and also confessed that the band’s music wasn’t something he “resonated with.” Then, in December, he said that still isn’t sure why he was let go by the band.
In other news, Foo Fighters are currently teasing a new album, sharing 11 new song snippets on their website. It comes after the band have been dropping hints about the follow-up to 2023’s ‘But Here We Are‘, in recent months – both declaring that a new album is finished, and subsequently dropping teasers with fans online.
