So, what’s the deal when Mercury’s apparently still in retrograde, and Josh Freese gets unceremoniously shown the exit door by the Foo Fighters—no warning, no whisper of why? You’d think after drumming with legends like Guns N’ Roses and even Olivia Rodrigo, the guy would at least get a “thank you for your service” card. Instead, he posts a tongue-in-cheek Top 10 list of reasons why he might’ve gotten the boot—ranging from a “soulless metronome-like precision” to never once growing a beard. Is this classic cosmic timing, where the stars conspire to stir up drama, or just rock ‘n’ roll’s messy business as usual? Either way, Freese’s cheeky roast has fans buzzing and the Foo Fighters silent as the grave. Buckle up, because this drama’s got more layers than a Scorpio’s revenge plan. LEARN MORE.
A former Foo Fighters member has posted a list of reasons that could explain his acrimonious departure from the punk rock band.
Josh Freese was the drummer for Foo Fighters from 2023 to 2025, when the 52-year-old was let go and told that the band was going ‘in a different direction’.
Freese was the drummer for Guns N’ Roses in the past, and even worked with the likes of Sting, Paramore, Weezer and even Olivia Rodrigo over the years.
He was brought in to the ‘Everlong’ band as a replacement for longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins, who sadly passed away in 2022.
But last week, Freese claimed in a statement that he was let go from the line-up with ‘no explanation’ and ‘no warning’.
Josh Freese played with Dave Grohl and co. for two years (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Foo Fighters)
“The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided to ‘to go in a different direction with their drummer’. No reason was given,” Freese said in his post.
After wishing the band well, he admitted that in his 40 years of drumming professionally, ‘I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry- just a bit shocked disappointed’.
Fans were too shocked by the move and now, the drummer has now listed the possible reasons for his departure on Instagram.
At the end of his initial statement last week, Freese said: “Stay tuned for my ‘Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters’ list.”
While it looked like a joke at first, the drummer posted the list on social media last night (19 May) for fans to have a giggle at.
Among the points were ‘Never even once tried growing a beard’ and a ‘metronome-like precision’ on the drums that he joked was ‘soulless’.
Here’s the list in full:
10) Once whistled ‘My Hero’ for a week solid on tour.
9) Could only name one Fugazi song.
8) Two words: polyrhythms.
7) Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed ‘soulless.’
6) Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath.
5) Never even once tried growing a beard.
4) Didn’t show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
3) Promised Noodles (from Offspring) he could be 4th guitarist.
2) Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show.
1) The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much
Foo Fighters have sacked Freese from the line-up (Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Swift River Productions)
He also joked about whistling ‘My Hero’ and poked fun at Fugazi, a band that headman Dave Grohl publicly loves.
Foo Fighters are still yet to comment on the departure.
Freese won’t have much trouble in finding work though, having worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, past and present.
He will go down as the third drummer to perform with the iconic rock band, which was originally formed by former Nirvana drummer Grohl following the death of lead singer and icon Kurt Cobain.