Dave Grohl has opened up about FOO FIGHTERS’ decision to part ways with drummer Josh Freese, shedding light on how the split came together behind the scenes.
Freese was dismissed in May 2025, two years after stepping in to replace the late Taylor Hawkins. At the time, Freese revealed via Instagram that the band had informed him they had decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer,” adding pointedly: “No reason was given.”
Now, speaking in a new interview on “The Zane Lowe Show” on Apple Music 1 (via NME), Grohl detailed how the decision unfolded during a period of reflection for the band.
According to Grohl, the move came while FOO FIGHTERS were off the road in 2024.
“In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction, and thought, ‘Okay, let’s call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer,’” Dave said, adding that the move “didn’t happen overnight.”
He emphasized that the conversation was a collective one.
“We called, as a band, all of us called, it wasn’t just me,” he continued. “Basically, we called Josh and were, like, ‘Hey, man, that was awesome. That was such a blast, thank you so much, but we are going to move on and find another drummer.’”
Grohl also addressed the speculation that followed the announcement.
“Since then, there’s been a lot of talk about it,” Grohl said, “but I think Josh said it best when he said that he didn’t feel our music really resonated with him, and that’s really important.”
Freese recently reflected on the split in the cover story for the latest issue of Modern Drummer. When asked if he had clarity about why he was let go, his answer was direct: “no.”
“The FOO FIGHTERS are such a big, mainstream band that everything I say gets taken out of context, reposted, and blown out of proportion,” he said. “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.”
While Freese admitted he has “a couple small theories” about what led to the split, he made it clear he’s not ready to unpack them publicly.
“I have a couple small theories [as to why I was let go], 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.”
Despite the sting of the exit, Freese spoke warmly about frontman Dave Grohl, emphasizing the admiration he has for him — especially as a drummer.
“I liked playing with them. And I loved having Dave as a bandleader. I truly respect him so much as a drummer first and foremost. 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… That’s really fun… We basically came from the same era too and could relate to one another.”
What continues to puzzle Freese is how quickly things changed.
“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.”
Freese’s stint with FOO FIGHTERS included extensive touring and contributions to the band’s 2023 album, But Here We Are. Following his departure, the band recruited former NINE INCH NAILS drummer Ilan Rubin.
In a twist few could have predicted, Freese ultimately returned to NINE INCH NAILS — effectively swapping spots with Rubin and closing one chapter by reopening another.
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