The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Foo Fighters’ new drummer will be Nine Inch Nails’ Ilan Rubin. As of press time it was unclear whether Rubin is permanently a member of Foo Fighters or just a touring member, as the band had yet to publicly confirm the news. Foo Fighters’ next tour dates will kick off in Asia this October.
Rubin was with Nine Inch Nails for 16 years, where he’s served as the band’s touring drummer since 2009 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2020 (becoming the youngest-ever inductee at the time at age 32.) He has also drummed for Paramore, Angels & Airwaves, and Danny Elfman, among others.
The news comes two months after Foo Fighters parted ways with Josh Freese — who in turn, has now joined NIN in Rubin’s place. Freese had joined Foo Fighters in 2023 after the death of their longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins. After two years together, Freese announced in May that the band had let him go, saying they had decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer.” Freese said at the time: “I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry—just a bit shocked and disappointed. But as most of you know I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine.”
Nine Inch Nails posted an Instagram story picturing Freese — who was also their drummer between 2005 and 2008 — with the caption, “Let’s f**king go.” Freese reposted the news on Instagram, with the caption: “Let’s F**king Go” is right! #nineinchnails #nin #joshfreese”.
Freese also wrote on Instagram after news broke of him rejoining NIN: “Leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of 2008 was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. My wife and I were expecting our third child, and I knew I needed to step away from life on the road to be home with my family. NIN was a band that left me walking off stage every single night thinking, “That was incredible. We absolutely crushed it.” And it wasn’t just a feeling, it was a certainty. That level of intensity, pride, and satisfaction after each show is something I’ve rarely experienced anywhere else. Now, being back on tour with Trent and the crew—helping them do what they do best night after night—is something I’m incredibly excited about. To be part of that energy again feels amazing. If you get a chance to catch one of these shows over the next six weeks, I promise, they’re going to be absolutely unforgettable. Hope to see you out there.”
NIN are set to kick-off a North American tour at Oakland Arena on August 6.
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