Foo Fighters drummer ‘shocked’ after being booted from band

He had replaced the late Taylor Hawkins as the band's drummer

Freese had been part of the rock band since 2023, having previously toured with the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses.

However, he announced on Friday that he had been let go by the Foo Fighters, with no explanation.

In a statement released on Instagram, the drummer said: "The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they've decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer.

"No reason was given. Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band.

"In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band, so while I'm not angry - just a bit shocked and disappointed."

After saying the move wouldn't affect him too much because he has "always worked freelance and bounced between bands," he joked: "Stay tuned for my 'top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters' list."

People voiced their shock at the news in the comments, with one person writing: "wtf??? But hey, you'll always be fine.... And you might actually be dodging a bullet."

Another quipped: "Upside is you won't have to hear any of those horrible songs ever again!"

A third commented: "Say what? Why for playing everything not only perfectly but going above and beyond what most are remotely capable of? I apologize, but respectfully, this makes absolutely no sense to me."

Freese had joined Foo Fighters in the wake of long-time band member Taylor Hawkins' death in 2022.

The Mirror US reports that there had been speculation that Freese could be the long-term replacement for Hawkins.