The Foo Fighters have introduced their new drummer following the tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins last year.
The renowned band, led by Dave Grohl, made the official announcement that acclaimed drummer Josh Freese will be joining the band as a full-time member.
The news came during the Preparing Music for Concerts livestream on Sunday (May 21), putting an end to months of speculation surrounding Freese’s potential role after his participation in the Foo Fighters’ two Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in London and Los Angeles.
During the livestream, Grohl and his bandmates had teased that there would be “a few surprises,” and they certainly delivered the news in their usual playful manner.
In a humorous video clip, the Foo Fighters were shown being courted by several A-list drummers, including Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tommy Lee from Motley Crue, and Danny Carey from Tool.
The video eventually revealed that Freese would be taking over Hawkins’ spot behind the drum kit.
Freese had already performed with the band during the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts, and in a social media post, he shared that he had specifically requested to play on Hawkins’ own drum set.
“Without hesitation I said, ‘Taylor’s drums need to be up there, and I want to play on his exact setup,'” he wrote. “I want THAT energy to be up on THAT stage. I want to sweat all over the same drums he was sweating all over every night…don’t change a thing.”
Freese acknowledged that he didn’t personally know Hawkins while growing up in California, but he felt a connection between them as two guys from Orange County.
“We always had that funny little bond, and he’d always remind me that he was tired of hearing about ‘that other young guy from OC who was already making records and touring’ when he was a teenager,” Freese shared.
“I’d then ask him if he wanted to trade bank accounts with me.” He concluded, “F**k man, the whole thing sucks.”
In addition to Freese joining the band, the Foo Fighters unveiled a new track from their upcoming album ‘But Here We Are’.
The album is set to be released on June 2 and will mark “the first chapter of the band’s new life.”
The Foo Fighters are scheduled to embark on a North American and European tour this summer, with the tour commencing on May 24 in New Hampshire.
