In an Instagram post that glides between the hilarious and the heartfelt, Josh Freese—now ex-Foo Fighters drummer—took a characteristically self-deprecating approach to his unexpected exit from one of rock’s biggest institutions.
Freese, who joined the band in 2023 following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins, shared the news of his departure on Friday. “No reason was given,” he stated, adding that the band had chosen “to go in a different direction with their drummer.” It marked the end of his nearly two-year tenure—a relatively short run, but a significant one, considering the shoes he was asked to fill.
“In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I’ve never been let go from a band,” Freese noted. The tone wasn’t bitter—he describes himself as “not angry—just a bit shocked and disappointed.” But that shock is tempered by realism. A veteran of outfits like Nine Inch Nails, Devo, and A Perfect Circle, Freese is a journeyman by design. He’s built a career out of being the reliable mercenary, the man who turns up, delivers, and moves on.
Still, even for someone as itinerant as Freese, the silence surrounding his dismissal is baffling. Rather than dwell on the ambiguity, he did what he’s always done best: leaned into it with humour. And thus, over the weekend, he delivered on his promise—a “Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters” list.
Among the faux offences? Whistling “My Hero” for an entire week straight on tour. Starting rehearsals with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath. Missing a studio session because “Mercury was in retrograde.” Perhaps most egregiously, according to Freese himself, was his apparent overenthusiasm for poodles.
It’s classic Freese—warm, weird, and wonderfully self-aware.
But beneath the gags lies genuine respect. Fellow musicians chimed in with support, none more pointed than William Goldsmith, the band’s former drummer, who knows a thing or two about being sidelined. “I apologize but respectfully this makes absolutely no sense to me,” Goldsmith commented. “Say what? Why, for playing everything not only perfectly but going above and beyond what most are remotely capable of?”
The truth behind Freese’s exit may never be publicly known. But if his send-off is anything to go by, it’s clear he’ll continue doing what he does best: playing to perfection, cracking wise, and moving forward—cowbell and poodle in hand.
Top 10 Possible Reasons Freese Got Booted From the Foos
10. Once whistled "My Hero" for a week solid on tour.
9. Could only name one Fugazi song.
8. Two words: polyrhythms.
7. Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed "soulless."
6. Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20 minute cowbell sound bath.
5. Never even once tried growing a beard.
4. Didn't show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
3. Promised Noodles he could be 4th guitarist.
2. Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show.
1. The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much.
