Rock band the Foo Fighters has revealed Josh Freese as their new drummer more than a year after the death of former drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Hawkins, who died unexpectedly, last March, had been the band’s drummer for 25 years.
Earlier this year, the band confirmed they would be playing a series of shows, starting with the Boston Calling festival this weekend.
They also released a single called Rescued ahead of their new album, to be released on June 2.
But they had not yet revealed who would be replacing Hawkins until today.
The band teased fans with possible replacements during an hour-long jam session that was live streamed on Veeps.
Before Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith entered, the band members were discussing in a practise room.
But he was merely stopping by to inform that one of the band members had parked in front of him.
Then Tommy Lee walked in, only to inform the band that he had got them some takeaway food.
Finally, Tool drummer Danny Carey made an appearance.
But he was just returning some freshly-groomed poodles.
Then the video cut to Freese sitting behind the drum kit with a sticker saying “Hello, my name is: Josh” stuck to his front.
Who is Josh Freese?
Freese has been drumming for more than 30 years, beginning at the age of 12 in Disneyland.
When he was 15 years old, he began travelling and recording music.
Freese has also collaborated on tracks with Queens of the Stone Age, Guns n Roses, and The Vandals.
He also played on recordings for a variety of musicians, including Avril Lavigne, Michael Buble, Miley Cyrus, Ricky Martin, and Wolfmother.
The drummer also contributed to the soundtracks for The Polar Express and Batman Vs. Superman, working alongside Hans Zimmer.
What happened to Taylor Hawkins?
Hawkins passed away on March 25, 2022. He was fifty years old.
He was in Colombia for a gig and was in Bogotá.
Taylor Hawkins playing the drums during a performance.
At the time, the municipal government of Bogotá stated that emergency services had received a report of a patient suffering from “chest pain.”
It was said that medical personnel attempted to resuscitate Hawkins but were unable.
Soon after, a preliminary toxicology test was revealed, although it did not clarify what caused his death.
The band has not made his official cause of death public.
The band had been due to play at a music festival in Colombia before Hawkins’s death, but they cancelled their South American tour.
They later held two tribute concerts for Hawkins — one in London, UK and another in Los Angeles, US.
Artists including Travis Barker, Joan Jett and Miley Cyrus performed in honour of Hawkins, with the Foo Fighters playing a moving tribute for their friend.
New Foo Fighters album responds to Hawkins’s death
The band’s new album is called But Here We Are.
It is their 11th album and “the first chapter of the band’s new life”, the band’s website says.
It features 10 songs that “run the emotional gamut from rage and sorrow to serenity and acceptance, and myriad points in between”.
“A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters endured over the last year, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family,” the band says.
