Variety reports Foo Fighters have found their new drummer, at least for the time being. Ilan Rubin is reportedly stepping in behind the kit for the band’s upcoming shows. Known for his long-standing tenure with Nine Inch Nails, Rubin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2020. He originally played with NIN from 2008–2009, rejoined in 2013, and now appears to have exited again in this recent drummer shuffle.
Rubin replaces Josh Freese, who joined Foo Fighters in 2023 following the passing of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. Freese was unexpectedly let go earlier this year without a public explanation aside from the band expressing their plans on “going in a different direction.” Freese is now rejoining Nine Inch Nails, a band he previously toured with from 2005–2008. Hopefully, this won’t come with another top ten departure list, similar to what Freese did shortly after leaving Foo Fighters. NIN confirmed the news by posting a photo of Freese on social media Wednesday (30th), with the caption: “let’s fucking go.”
2025 seems to be the year of drummer swaps, and at this point, it’s hard to keep track of who’s behind which kit. While nothing appears set in stone, this is the current lineup, for now. Foo Fighters return to the road this fall with shows lined up in Jakarta, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, and Mexico City. Tickets are available at this location. Meanwhile, Nine Inch Nails are gearing up for their North American leg of their Peel It Back tour, kicking off on August 6. Grab tickets here.
Update
Josh Freese has issued his own statement on rejoining Nine Inch Nails. Freese shared the following via Instagram:
“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.
—Josh”
View this post on Instagram
