Upon being fired from multi-platinum alternative rockers Foo Fighters last week, drummer Josh Freese seemingly joked that he would be soon sharing the “top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters” list. As it turns out, he wasn’t entirely joking, even if his newly published list finds him doing just that. Upon being let go last week, Freese issued the following statement:
“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.
Josh“
Now in this morning’s (May 19th) follow-up post, Freese unveiled his aforementioned list, here’s how it reads:
“Top 10 possible reasons Freese got booted from the Foos.
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 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”
Rumors have of course also been swirling regarding the “different direction” the Foo Fighters are headed in with their next drummer. Current speculation has Oliver Shane Hawkins, the teenage son of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, assuming the role. Freese was actually brought onboard as Taylor‘s replacement following his 2022 passing. Shane has joined his dad’s Foo Fighters bandmates onstage on drums several times since Taylor‘s passing, regularly stealing the show.
