Josh Freese Points Finger in Foo Fighters Firing: “It Was Too Much Pressure Being Dave Grohl’s Drummer”

Foo Fighters fans, grab your popcorn. Less than two years after joining the band to fill the late Taylor Hawkins’ shoes, Josh Freese is out—and he’s telling the world why.

Freese says being in the Foos was like showing up to work every day knowing your boss is also the guy who redefined modern rock drumming. “I’m coming in as Dave Grohl’s drummer,” he told The New York Times. “The guy that’s supposed to save the day after Taylor died. Like I had to be firing on all cylinders all the time.”

Translation: It was like getting hired at NASA, only to realize your new manager is Neil Armstrong.

Finger Pointing & Musical Shrugs

Freese admits he was blindsided by the sudden dismissal, saying no one offered much more than the dreaded “going in a different direction” line. But he’s not too salty. Instead of blaming Grohl, he subtly waved the finger toward management.

When asked what he thought of Foo Fighters’ music now? He basically shrugged. “It wasn’t music that I really resonated with.” Which is drummer-speak for: “Thanks for the paycheck, but I’m not cranking Everlong on the ride home.”

Drummer Swap: The Rock ’n’ Roll Freaky Friday

Here’s the kicker: Freese is now back with Nine Inch Nails—the band he left in 2008—while Foo Fighters have poached NIN’s longtime drummer Ilan Rubin. It’s like the two bands accidentally hit “shuffle” on their drummers.

Freese took the swap in stride, even praising Rubin as “a phenomenal drummer, a phenomenal musician.” Which, in musician code, is the equivalent of saying, “Good luck, buddy—you’re next.”

Moral of the Story

“Josh Freese says being Dave Grohl’s drummer was ‘too much pressure.’ Yeah, because nothing screams high stress like playing a few shows a year while your boss is home testing diaper durability.”