Josh Freese has opened up about his recent firing from Foo Fighters in a new interview with the New York Times, the drummer’s first public statement since being let go from the Grammy-winning rock band. Freese reflected on the pressure he felt after taking over drum duties for the Foos’ following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. “I’m coming in as Dave Grohl’s drummer, and the guy that’s supposed to save the day after the beloved Taylor Hawkins died,” said Freese, adding that he felt “like I had to be firing on all cylinders all the time.” While the split initially caught Freese completely by surprise, he soon realized the move was for the best because “it wasn’t music that I really resonated with.” Freese soon joined Nine Inch Nails for the North American dates of their Peel It Back Tour, essentially swapping places with Ilan Rubin, who left NIN to join Foo Fighters. “I couldn’t believe it,” Freese says of the drummer exchange. “But Ilan’s a phenomenal drummer, a phenomenal musician. He’ll be perfect for the gig.” (Consequence of Sound)