Foo Fighters find new drummer in Josh Freese

Foo Fighters will learn to fly again as a band, announcing over the weekend that they have found an official replacement for late drummer Taylor Hawkins in prolific snare smasher Josh Freese.

The Foo Fighters unveiled Freese as their new drummer in a typically humorous video over the weekend as part of their live stream event, Preparing Music for Concerts. The video starts off with a (nearly) full band chat, which gets constantly interrupted by cameo appearances from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee and Tool’s Danny Carey. Tired of the nonsense, Freese requests that the band–including lead singer Dave Grohl, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Nate Mendel–you know, play some songs. Agreeing, the Foos rip into “All My Life.”

Prior to signing on with the Foo Fighters, Josh Freese was the longtime drummer for punk band The Vandals. He has also contributed to works from artists such as Devo, Guns n’ Roses and more.

Tragically, Taylor Hawkins died on March 25th last year, which was undoubtedly a devastating loss in the music community. At the time of Hawkins’ death, the band posted the following message on Twitter: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.” Hawkins co-starred in the band’s wildly fun horror-comedy Studio 666.

Freese will be the Foo Fighters’ fourth drummer, following Hawkins, Grohl himself, who played every key instrument on their debut album, and William Goldsmith, who was actually replaced on 1997’s The Colour and the Shape by Grohl, causing Goldsmith to leave the band.

Josh Freese’s selection as the new drummer for the Foo Fighters isn’t that much of a surprise to fans, especially since he played with the band for the Hawkins tribute shows. The Foo Fighters’ next album, But Here We Are, comes out in June.

How do you feel about Freese replacing Taylor Hawkins as the drummer of the Foo Fighters? Is he a strong choice or could the band have gone in a different direction? Give us your take below!