Foo Fighters have now officially rocked their lineup once more, firing veteran session drummer Josh Freese and replacing him with Ilan Rubin.
The band, whose huge international following and blow-out live performances have made them a force to be reckoned with, confirmed the changeover just before its fall tour dates in Jakarta, Singapore, and Mexico City this coming October. Whether Rubin is a full-time replacement or merely covering for the tour is not yet known, but the timing couldn’t be more sensational.
Variety reports that Rubin is already on board to join Foo Fighters‘ ranks. He’s no greenhorn, either, he’s been touring drummer for Nine Inch Nails since 2009 and is the youngest-ever inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame due to his stint with NIN. He’s also been a member of groups such as Paramore and Angels & Airwaves, so his CV is chock-full of high-octane, high-pressured shows.
In a lighthearted turn of events, the drummer exchange is reciprocal: Josh Freese, the same guy Rubin is taking over from, will in turn replace Rubin as Nine Inch Nails’ tour drummer for their forthcoming “Peel It Back” tour. Yeah, it’s essentially a trade of drummers, and both parties appear to be going with it. NIN even made the new development official with an X (formerly Twitter) post, providing the transition some semblance of legitimacy.
Freese, who filled in for the deceased Taylor Hawkins and toured with Foo Fighters over the last couple years, appeared to take the transition in stride, if a little unprepared. He shared a statement in May saying, “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.” He added that he respected the band’s decision and wished them the best, proving once again that he’s a class act.
Of course, he didn’t let the moment slip by without some humor. Freese responded with a sarcastic post of “Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters,” among which were such gems as “once whistled ‘My Hero’ for a week solid on tour” and “never even once tried growing a beard.
Though Foo Fighters have yet to weigh in publicly on the change, fans are abuzz about what this portends for the band’s future sound. Rubin’s technical proficiency and work with darker, electronic-based rock could add a new layer to Foo Fighters’ already behemoth live shows. And with their world tour looming on the horizon, it won’t be long before fans get an answer.
Whether this shuffle behind the drums is temporary or a future reinvention, one thing’s certain: the Foo Fighters don’t mind keeping things fresh. Ilan Rubin is filling big shoes, but with his skills and background, he may just be the perfect fit.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
