Foo Fighters: Newest drummer Josh Freese has an amazing résumé

It has been a little over a year since Josh Freese was officially announced as the new drummer for Foo Fighters, stepping in to fill the void left by the late Taylor Hawkins, who passed away on March 25, 2022, while on tour in Bogotá, Colombia. Freese recently commemorated the anniversary on social media, expressing, "I continue to miss Taylor, as does the band, his family, friends, and the rest of the world."

Freese’s role in the band was revealed through a pre-recorded performance titled Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts, filmed at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, and featuring new tracks as well as old favorites like "Monkey Wrench." The announcement was part of a skit featuring drummers Chad Smith, Tommy Lee, and Danny Carey, each appearing at the band’s rehearsal for humorous reasons, which ultimately led to the reveal of Josh Freese.

During the skit, Freese interrupted from behind a double-bass drum kit, exclaiming, "Excuse me! Guys, could we just, like, I don’t know… play a song?! Or two, something?"

Freese shared footage of the session on his Instagram account, reflecting, "We...continue to try and make the most of the situation by moving forward and doing what we love doing… playing music, honoring Taylor, and staying positive."

Who is Josh Freese, the Foo Fighters' current drummer?

Josh Freese is an accomplished American drummer and songwriter known for his versatile drumming skills and extensive work with numerous prominent bands and artists. Born on December 25, 1972, in Orlando, Florida, Josh Freese started playing drums at a young age.
Since then, as Variety notes, Freese has developed "the pristine reputation as one of the most in-demand session drummers in the business..."

It probably didn't hurt that his father, Stan Freese, was a conductor and tuba soloist at Disney, and his mother was a classical pianist.

Freese gained early recognition as the drummer for the punk band The Vandals, joining them in the late 1980s. His work with The Vandals helped establish his reputation in the punk rock scene, but he went on to perform in so many other genres. For example, Freese was a founding member of the alternative rock supergroup A Perfect Circle, formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan, and has remained with the band, playing on their most recent track, "Kindred." He played on their first three albums and contributed significantly to their sound.

Nine Inch Nails and other collaborations

Freese joined Nine Inch Nails as a touring drummer in 2005 and was part of their live lineup for several tours. His powerful drumming style suited the industrial rock band's intense performances. Josh Freese has truly played with a wide range of artists across various genres, which made him a natural "front-runner" for the Foo Fighters. In fact, there's a strong chance you've heard Josh Freese, based on his extensive list of creative endeavors.

Some notable collaborations include Devo, Danny Elfman, Weezer, Guns N' Roses, Sting, The Offspring, Paramore, Rob Zombie, Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, Ween, Queens of the Stone Age, Filter, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Joe Cocker, Social Distortion, Bruce Springsteen, The Residents, and The Replacements.

Remember that song "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks, which generated light controversy for the swear word title? Well, Josh was on that track, too. His ability to adapt to different musical styles has made him a highly sought-after session and touring drummer.

In addition to his work with bands, Freese has released solo albums showcasing his multi-instrumental talents and songwriting skills. His solo projects often feature a mix of rock, punk, and experimental music. With such an extensive résumé, Josh Freese's career is marked by his versatility, technical proficiency, and the sheer number of high-profile collaborations he has been a part of, cementing his place as one of the premier drummers in modern rock music.