After serving as the Foo Fighters’ drummer for two years, Josh Freese has parted ways with the band. Freese, 52, joined the iconic rock group following the tragic death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins. On May 16, the band informed Freese of their decision to “go in a different direction with their drummer,” leaving the seasoned musician feeling shocked and disappointed. Despite the sudden news, Freese expressed support for the band’s decision and gratitude for the time he spent with them, both professionally and personally.
Freese Shares Comedic Top 10 List, Poking Fun at His Sudden Departure
In a lighthearted and humorous response to his departure, Freese took to Instagram on May 19 to post a satirical list titled, “Top 10 possible reasons Freese got booted from the Foos.” The list featured tongue-in-cheek reasons like whistling the band’s hit “My Hero” incessantly while on tour, being unfamiliar with more than one Fugazi song, and never attempting to grow a beard. The post, full of self-deprecating humor, was captioned with hashtags like “#lol” and “#byefelicia,” showing Freese’s willingness to laugh at the situation.
Josh Freese Parts Ways With Foo Fighters, Responds With Hilarious Top 10 Exit ListFreese’s list also poked fun at the idea that his drumming was “metronome-like” and “soulless,” and included absurdist reasons like initiating rehearsals with a “20-minute cowbell sound bath” or skipping studio sessions due to Mercury being in retrograde. He even joked about promising a spot in the band to Noodles, guitarist for The Offspring, who playfully responded in the comments. The list served more as a comedic venting session rather than an exposé of any actual drama behind the scenes.
Eccentric Humor, Poodles, and Peace: Freese Embraces Change with Playful Grace
One of the more outlandish reasons Freese included was that he refused to perform unless he was guaranteed an Ouija board and nunchucks after each show. He ended his list by citing “the whole poodle thing” as a potential reason, a nod to his well-known affection for his pet poodles. Known for his eccentric yet lovable personality, Freese’s list showed he was more interested in entertaining his followers than offering a serious critique of the Foo Fighters’ decision.
Though the departure came as a surprise to many, Freese reminded fans that he’s no stranger to band transitions. A seasoned freelance drummer, he has long been known for moving between different musical acts. He made it clear that he harbors no resentment and is already looking ahead to future projects. With his humor intact and experience on his side, Freese’s journey in the music world is far from over.