Recommendations of the Editorial team
The surprising discharge of drummer Josh Freese at the Foo Fighters not only ensures fans, but also for colleagues. After Freese had made his expression on Instagram public, numerous musicians spoke up.
The-Police drumming Stewart Copeland comes to the side of Josh Freese with an encouraging comment. “Luck for the five other bands in which you play,” he writes. Copeland then jokes with a joke: “Was it the poodle? I bet, armison got your job.”
Prog drum virtuoso Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater also speaks up: “Damn … I’m shocked! You shit perfectly with the band !!”
LIMP bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is outraged: “Wow. What to hell? Disgust. I am completely stunned.”
Mark McGrath, singer of Sugar Ray, also turns directly to Freese: “I wish I could say something funny and creative now, but I just want to tell you that I love you – and that you are the best drummer of the world!”
“Sounds like you had been fired by Michael Scott”
With a winking swipe, Bad-religion guitarist and punk label legend Brett Gurewitz also speaks: “Sounds as if you were fired by Michael Scott.” He alludes to the US series The Office.
The comment from Gurewitz ‘bandmate Jay Bentley is a bit cryptic: “Sounds like pancakes on the table …”
Josh Freese: Statement for discharge at the Foo Fighters
On May 16, 2025, Freese announced that he had been fired by the band by phone. “I have never flown out of a band in 40 years as a professional drummer,” explains the 51-year-old. “I’m not angry – just a little shocked and disappointed.” So far there has been no statement from the band.
The statement in the wording:
“The Foo Fighters called me on Monday evening to tell me that they decided to ‘want to continue with another drummer’. No reason was mentioned. 🙁
Anyway – I have enjoyed with them for the past two years, both on stage and away from it, and I support whatever they think is the best for the band.
In my 40 years as a professional drummer I have never been thrown out of a band, so I’m not angry – just a little shocked and disappointed.
But as most of you know, I have always worked freelance and switched between bands back and forth – so I’m fine. It remains for my list: ‘Top 10 possible reasons why Josh flew out at the Foo Fighters’. “
– Josh