Foo Fighters Fire Drummer Josh Freese: 'Shocked And Disappointed'

Foo Fighters have parted ways with Josh Freese nearly two years after hiring him to replace their late drummer Taylor Hawkins. The veteran percussionist broke the news on social media, admitting he was "shocked and disappointed" by the move.

“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 :(" Freese wrote in an Instagram post. "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," he admitted. "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.”

The decision was made just days after the Foos announced their first concert of 2025 — a set at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 4. They last played live on August 18, 2024 at Seattle's T-Mobile Park.

The band has kept quiet since Dave Grohl revealed he welcomed a new baby outside his marriage in September. After the news broke, the band reportedly cancelled their 2025 touring plans. Grohl's kept himself busy this year. In January, he spent his birthday cooking food for people displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires; in February, he reunited Nirvana with Post Malone for the SNL 50th Anniversary concert; in March, he teamed up with Jack Black for a new song on A Minecraft Movie's soundtrack; and in April he surprised Coachella festival goers by playing “The Sky Is a Neighborhood” and “Everlong” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as performing a surprise set at a school fundraiser in Los Angeles.

The band has yet to announce who will be replacing Freese in the lineup. See his full statement below.