After parting with Josh Freese back in May, the Foo Fighters have enlisted Nine Inch Nails’ touring member Ilan Rubin as their next drummer. In an unexpected twist, Freese will join Nine Inch Nails on their Peel It Back run, both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety confirmed.
Rubin has been traveling with Nine Inch Nails since 2009, and was 32 when he became the youngest inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2020. The drummer has also collaborated with Paramore, Angels and Airwaves, and Danny Elfman.
The decision arrives months after the Foo Fighters announced that Freese, who had been tapped to fill the vacancy left by the late Taylor Hawkins, was let go from the band. In a statement at the time, Freese said that the group had decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer” and that “No reason was given.”
In a post shared to X, Nine Inch Nails appeared to confirm Freese’s new role, sharing a photo of the drummer and writing, “Let’s fucking GO.”
Earlier this month, the Foo Fighters celebrated their 30th anniversary and released “Today’s Song,” their first new music in two years. Dave Grohl revealed the song on the band’s official website and shared an audio statement where he acknowledged, for the first time, Freese’s exit.
“Over the years, we’ve had moments of unbridled joy and moments of devastating heartbreak,” Grohl said. “It should go without saying that without the boundless energy of William Goldsmith, the seasoned wisdom of Franz Stahl, and the thunderous wizardry of Josh Freese, this story would be incomplete, so we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the time, music, and memories that we shared with each of them over the years. Thank you, gentlemen.”
