The Foo Fighters are prepared to return to the stage, marking their first touring season without Taylor Hawkins, their iconic drummer whose death occurred last year in Colombia. As the tour commences in New Hampshire in the imminent week, the band turns a new leaf.
Josh Freese is the one to tackle the colossal task of stepping into Hawkins' shoes, a scoop initially revealed by Variety in January. Though his name may not ring a bell immediately, there's a good chance you've heard his beats or even own an album where he's credited.
Freese boarded the Foo Fighters ship after participating in the star-filled tribute concerts for Hawkins organized by the band in London and Los Angeles last year. He is a close acquaintance of both Dave Grohl and Hawkins, boasting a rich background as a session drummer, sharing stages with big names such as Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, Paramore, Sting and the Vandals, among others. Up until last year, he held the drumsticks for Danny Elfman and the Offspring.
Born into a family of musicians - his father a musical director at Walt Disney Company and his mother, a classical pianist - music runs in his veins. He's not only a seasoned drummer but also a solo artist who has released various projects showcasing his talent as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.
Freese's musical versatility is evident in his career. His repertoire includes more than 300 recordings in an array of genres, and he has co-written songs with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, Devo, and Sting. His portfolio boasts of performances with Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Nelly Furtado, Kelly Clarkson, and Avril Lavinge, attesting to his status as one of the most sought-after session drummers.
The official announcement of Freese joining the Foo Fighters as their new drummer occurred during the "Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts" livestream event. This intimate black and white studio show gave a sneak peek of the band's 11th studio album, But Here We Are, set to be released on June 2nd. It marked Freese's live debut with the Foo Fighters.
He replaces the late Taylor Hawkins, who was a key part of the Foo Fighters from 1997 until his untimely demise. Hawkins had taken over from Sunny Day Real Estate's William Goldsmith, who was the initial drummer for the Dave Grohl-led group from 1995 to 1997.
Freese certainly has large shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Hawkins, an endearing figure known for his warm smile, vibrant energy, and Californian cool, elements that greatly contributed to the Foo Fighters' live allure.
The livestream concert marked the band's first comprehensive set since the tribute concerts held in honor of Hawkins last fall in London and Los Angeles. Those concerts witnessed an impressive roster of drummers, including Hawkins’ son, Shane, Blink-182’s Travis Barker, Nandi Bushell, Rufus Taylor, Omar Hakim, Brad Wilk, Pat Wilson, Lars Ulrich, Stewart Copeland, and Chad Smith.
In the run-up to the livestream, there were speculations about the Foo Fighters' new drummer, but both Matt Cameron and Taylor denied the rumors. Eventually, the confirmation came that Fre
ese, who has performed with Guns N’ Roses, Devo, Nine Inch Nails, the Vandals, Sting, A Perfect Circle, the Replacements, and Paramore, would be taking on the role.
The band recently released "Under You," the second single from their forthcoming album. Concurrently, the Brooklyn-based graphic arts studio, Morning Breath Inc., unveiled the minimalist white-on-white design for But Here We Are. This new album is a heartfelt dedication to both the late Hawkins and Grohl’s mother, Virginia, who also passed away in 2022.
With the livestream performance successfully under their belt, the Foo Fighters are now ready to hit the road again. Their return to the live stage will commence on Wednesday (May 24) at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, N.H. They have an extensive summer tour planned, with appearances at major festivals such as Boston Calling, Sonic Temple, Rock Am Ring, Bonnaroo, Ottawa Bluesfest, Harley-Davidson Homecoming, Fuji Rock, Wildlands, Outside Lands, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Riot Fest, Sea.Hear.Now, Louder Than Life, Ohana, and ACL. Along with these festival appearances, they have numerous headlining dates across North America and internationally.
As the Foo Fighters venture into this new chapter, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the band's music under the new lineup. Their energy and passion for music remain undeterred, promising a riveting continuation of their legacy with Josh Freese on drums.
Q&A Section:
Q: Who is the new drummer for the Foo Fighters?
A: The new drummer for the Foo Fighters is Josh Freese, a seasoned session drummer who has played with numerous renowned acts.
Q: When is the Foo Fighters' next album being released?
A: The Foo Fighters' upcoming 11th studio album, titled But Here We Are, is set to be released on June 2nd.
Q: When is the Foo Fighters' next concert? A: The Foo Fighters' road return is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, N.H.
Q: Who was the previous drummer for the Foo Fighters?
A: The late Taylor Hawkins was the drummer for the Foo Fighters from 1997 until his death in 2022. He had replaced Sunny Day Real Estate's William Goldsmith, the band's original drummer from 1995 to 1997.
Q: Who is Josh Freese, the new drummer for the Foo Fighters?
A: Josh Freese is a veteran studio and touring drummer who has shared the stage with a host of high-profile acts, including Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, Paramore, Sting, and the Vandals, among others. He has also released numerous solo projects where he showcases his skills as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.
Q: What's special about the Foo Fighters' upcoming album "But Here We Are"?
A: The Foo Fighters' upcoming album, "But Here We Are", is dedicated to the memory of their late drummer, Taylor Hawkins, and Grohl’s mother, Virginia, both of whom passed away in 2022.
Q: What are some of the festivals the Foo Fighters are scheduled to perform at in their upcoming tour?
A: The Foo Fighters have a jam-packed summer festival lineup which includes Boston Calling, Sonic Temple, Rock Am Ring, Bonnaroo, Ottawa Bluesfest, Harley-Davidson Homecoming, Fuji Rock, Wildlands, Outside Lands, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Riot Fest, Sea.Hear.Now, Louder Than Life, Ohana, and ACL.
Q: Who unveiled the design for the Foo Fighters' new album "But Here We Are"?
A: The design for the Foo Fighters' new album "But Here We Are" was revealed by Brooklyn-based graphic arts studio, Morning Breath Inc.
Q: What was Josh Freese's role in the tribute concerts for the late Taylor Hawkins?
A: Josh Freese participated in the star-studded tribute concerts for Taylor Hawkins that the Foo Fighters organized in London and Los Angeles in 2022.
With their new chapter starting, the Foo Fighters promise to carry their legacy forward, doing justice to their timeless music. Fans are eagerly awaiting their upcoming album "But Here We Are" and the subsequent touring season, with Josh Freese infusing new energy into the band from behind the drum kit.
