In a full-circle moment for modern rock drummers, Ilan Rubin is officially the new man behind the kit for Foo Fighters, and his predecessor, Josh Freese, is heading back to Nine Inch Nails.
Rubin, 37, who’s been a mainstay with Nine Inch Nails since 2009, was tapped for the Foos gig earlier this month. The switch-up follows Freese’s quiet departure from Foo Fighters in May after a two-year stint stepping in for the late Taylor Hawkins. Freese later confirmed the exit via social media, stating the band “chose to go in a different direction” and that no specific reason was given.
As reported by Spin, Rubin reportedly auditioned in mid-July and landed the role soon after, informing Trent Reznor of his decision just days before NIN’s upcoming U.S. tour. With Rubin out, Freese slides seamlessly back into his old Nine Inch Nails slot, a role he last held between 2005 and 2008, starting 6 August in Oakland, California.
Best known for his explosive style and multi-instrumentalist chops, Rubin was inducted into the Roll Hall of Fame with NIN in 2020. Outside of Nails, he’s drummed for Paramore, Beck, Angels & Airwaves, and released solo work under The New Regime.
The Foos won’t hit the stage again until 2 October in Indonesia, giving Rubin some solid lead time to gel with the band. It also comes on the heels of the group’s latest track, ‘Today’s Song,‘ which dropped on 2 July, a month after reports surfaced that Dave Grohl had fathered a child outside his marriage, leading to several shows being scrapped last year.
It’s a rare drummer swap that feels like fate: Rubin levels up, Freese returns to familiar territory, and the two legacy acts both keep moving forward, with fresh blood and steady hands behind the kit.
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