After joining Foo Fighters as their full-time drummer in May 2023 following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins, Josh Freese‘s tenure with the rock powerhouse came to an abrupt and unexpected end just two years later in May 2025. The veteran drummer, known for his impressive repertoire spanning over 400 albums, revealed that despite his professional dedication to the role, he never fully connected with the band’s musical style.
Born on December 25, 1972, and raised in a musical family at Disney parks where his father led the Disneyland Band, Freese built a reputation as “one of the most in-demand session drummers in the business.” His prolific career includes collaborations with Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, Weezer, Guns N’ Roses, and Devo, showcasing his remarkable versatility across punk, hard rock, alternative, pop, and metal genres.
Freese’s Disney roots and staggering versatility made him a sought-after rhythm architect across music’s diverse landscape.
Freese’s departure from Foo Fighters surprised fans and industry observers alike. The drummer later disclosed that his exit involved band management issues rather than personal conflicts with members. “I never received a detailed explanation,” Freese stated about his firing, which occurred amid ongoing touring and recording plans for the group.
Throughout his two-year stint, Freese felt significant pressure to live up to Hawkins’s legacy, viewing the position as one demanding constant peak performance. His approach to practice reflected the importance of setting specific goals and tracking progress, particularly when preparing for high-profile performances. This challenge was compounded by his admission that Foo Fighters’ musical direction did not align with his personal artistic preferences, creating a disconnect that made long-term collaboration difficult despite his technical prowess. In interviews, Freese noted he preferred recording with the band’s mostly finished instrumentals as it helped him deliver his best performances. His successful career began remarkably early, as he joined the musicians union at just 12 years old and was touring with The Vandals by age 16.
Following his departure from Foo Fighters, Freese seamlessly returned to his role with Nine Inch Nails and continues collaborations with bands like A Perfect Circle. His first serious exposure to the music industry came when he gained attention by playing drums at the 1983 NAMM Show as a young prodigy. His self-described status as a “blue collar freelance drummer to the stars” remains intact, with his vast résumé continuing to overshadow what ultimately became a brief chapter with Dave Grohl’s band.
For Freese, the experience underscored his belief that musical resonance matters deeply for sustained artistic partnerships.
