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After parting with Josh Freese in May, the Foo Fightershave 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, Rolling Stone has confirmed.
Rubin has been traveling with Nine Inch Nails since 2009, and he 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 Freese, who had been tapped to fill the vacancyleft by thelate Taylor Hawkins, announced he was let go from Foo Fighters. 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 Fighterscelebrated their 30th anniversary and released “Today’s Song,” their first new music in two years. Dave Grohlrevealed 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.”
