Recommendations of the Editorial team
Since it became known on Saturday (May 17th, 2025) that Josh Freese was released after only two “years of service” as the drummer of the Foo Fighters, many fans have wondered who will take over his place behind the drum kit. A name always falls: Shane Hawkins. For many, Shane Hawkins would be the obvious choice-after all, he is the son of the Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died in 2022. But would he have grown to the task? Would his choice be pure nepotism? Or a symbolic transfer of the torch, sorry, the drum sticks?
Nepobaby or Drum-Jungstar?
The obvious in advance: Of course there would be a good dose of nepotism. Simply for the reason, because under normal circumstances an 18-year-old without a big curriculum vitae and musical organic would hardly be in conversation for the post for one of the biggest rock bands at all (if he actually is, so far it is only speculation). We remember Mike Byrne, who joined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2009. But Byrne was “already” 19.
Okay, if Hawkins are in conversation, then of course he is first of course for relatives. But: If he can be considered, the Nepo thing is by no means enough. Because Shane Hawkins, and he has proven this several times, is definitely a very good drummer.
We can only judge that after what we saw and heard of Shane Hawkins. These are primarily some YouTube videos of appearances with Chevy Metal, the rock cover band that his father founded and with which Shane has already appeared several times (and goes on tour in the summer). And of course from the tribute concert on September 3, 2022, in which Hawkins, then 16 years old, supported the band in the song “My Hero” on the drums and not only provided the emotional moment of the evening, but also presented a very solid performance.
Foo Fighters: Shane Hawkins has the right DNA
Shane Hawkins, which proves his drumming, definitely has the Hawkins DNA. His game is high -energy and dynamic, he plays with the whole body. He has this relatively safe from his father – and sometimes one thinks you can watch the young Taylor and not Shane. Shane Hawkins has been playing drums since childhood and is certainly technically able to learn the entire back catalog of the Foo Fighters and play professionally for three hours every evening. There would definitely be no lack of lack of musical talent, and its drum style would also fit perfectly with the Foo Fighters. Of course, here are worlds in between in terms of experience – however, Grehl is one of the biggest rock slumber in music history on board anyway, which Hawkins can also lead.
To be a member of a band is more than pure musical skills. How Hawkins, as an 18-year-old, brings himself to a group of men between 50 and early 60, how far the age difference and the family background might complicate the matter a bit is of course a completely different question. Of course we cannot answer them, but for a fixed position in the band, this should definitely play a weighty role.
In 2017, Robert Trujillos son Tye Trujillo showed that you can perform with an experienced rock band even at a young age, who at the age of just twelve completed several shows with the US metals from Korn and cut an excellent figure as a substitute for the bass player. In principle, it would work out of everything we know about Shane Hawkins and what we heard from him. Has Shane Hawkins grown of this task? He could definitely be – but we will only be able to judge that if it actually happens. Of course it would be a symbolic act to give Shane Hawkins the job of his tragically deceased father. Would there be others, maybe even more suitable candidates: inside? Certainly. Nevertheless: If the Foo Fighters choose to continue with Hawkins, the right beat would certainly be taken care of.