Foo Fighters have introduced that their new drummer is Josh Freese. Freese, session drummer who just lately performed with with the Offspring, follows within the footsteps of the band’s beloved late percussionist Taylor Hawkins, who died final yr. The band revealed the information on Sunday (Could 21) throughout their livestream Foo Fighters: Getting ready Music For Concert events, a studio session recorded on the group’s 606 studios in Northridge, California.
Not together with Dave Grohl, Freese is the third drummer to affix Foo Fighters; earlier than Hawkins, William Goldsmith carried out on the band’s 1997 album The Color and Form.
The livestream opened with an prolonged bit the place they teased that well-known drummers would be a part of the lineup. Chad Smith of Purple Scorching Chili Peppers (a pal of the late Hawkins) confirmed as much as say he was being blocked in by a distinct automotive exterior the studio. Tommy Lee popped in to ship some takeout for the band. Software’s Danny Carey confirmed as much as drop off some canines he apparently groomed for the group. The digital camera lastly panned over to Freese, who expressed frustration that they hadn’t already began rehearsing.
Freese is a prolific session and touring drummer. As a session musician, he just lately performed on the brand new M83 and 100 gecs albums. Over the previous decade, he’s contributed to new information by Lana Del Rey, Rob Zombie, Bruce Springsteen, A Good Circle, Sting (with Shaggy), and lots of extra. He’s toured and recorded with Danny Elfman, was a member of Devo’s current dwell lineups, and prior to now, has been a member of Weapons N’ Roses, 9 Inch Nails, the Vandals, Weezer, and Chic With Rome. Throughout the livestream, Freese talked to Grohl about masking High 40 hits in a band at Disneyland when he was 12.
Hawkins died at age 50 whereas on tour with Foo Fighters final yr in Bogotá, Colombia. They canceled their remaining exhibits. The band returned to the stage for 2 all-star Hawkins tribute shows on the finish of 2022. Freese carried out with the band throughout these exhibits, and in a social media post, he mentioned particularly requested to play Hawkins’ personal set.
“With out hesitation I mentioned, ‘Taylor’s drums must be up there and I need to play on his precise arrange,” he wrote. “‘I would like THAT vitality to be up on THAT stage. I need to sweat all around the similar drums he was sweating throughout each evening…don’t change a factor.’” Freese and Hawkins didn’t develop up understanding one another, however had a connection as Orange County guys. “We at all times had that humorous little bond and he’d at all times remind me that he was bored with listening to about ‘that different younger man from OC who was already making information and touring’ when he was a teen. I’d then ask him if he wished to commerce financial institution accounts with me, LOL! Fuck man, the entire thing sucks. He would’ve beloved that present greater than anybody although.”
