Nearly a year after his unexpected dismissal from Foo Fighters, Josh Freese says he has “a lot to say” about the situation — but is choosing his words carefully.
In a new interview with Modern Drummer (via Louder Sound), the veteran percussionist addressed his May 2025 exit from the band, which came two years after he officially joined as their touring and recording drummer following the death of Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.
Freese’s tenure formally began in May 2023, after he appeared with the group at their London and Los Angeles tribute concerts for Hawkins. He went on to serve as drummer for the band’s 2023 album, But Here We Are.
In May 2025, Freese revealed that Foo Fighters had decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer,” adding at the time that “no reason was given” for the decision.
Now, he says he has his own thoughts about what happened but is hesitant to share them publicly.
“The Foo Fighters are such a big, mainstream band that everything I say gets taken out of context, reposted, and blown out of proportion,” Freese told Modern Drummer. “People created headlines from one quick, simple comment I made on a podcast not long ago, it’s crazy. I’ve got to be careful about what I say about it. But I’ve got a lot to say about it and I’ve been just trying to figure out how and when, to go about really articulating it.”
“I have a couple small theories [as to why I was let go],” he continued, “but I can’t really go into them right now. I did really enjoy the two years I spent with those guys however, and they were good to me… until they weren’t.”
Freese said his time in the band had been largely positive, describing Dave Grohl as a bandleader he “loved” working with.
“I enjoyed being around those guys,” he said. “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.”
Freese also recalled the day he learned of his firing, saying he was spending time with members of A Perfect Circle and Primus when the news broke. “Everyone was in shock and asking me what the hell happened,” he said.
Following his departure, Foo Fighters announced Ilan Rubin as their new drummer, with Rubin appearing on the band’s single “Asking For A Friend.”
Despite the high-profile exit, Freese said he has quickly moved forward. He is currently performing again with Nine Inch Nails and A Perfect Circle, in addition to working in the studio with artists including Danny Elfman and Billy Idol.
“Someone recently said to me, ‘Man, you’ve had a tough year.’ And I thought, Really?” Freese said. “So the Foo Fighters thing is over. Big deal, that was a blip. 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.
“I feel like I’m back where I belong,” he added. “Trust me… no one should feel sorry for me.”
