Foo Fighters recently conducted secret open auditions to find a new drummer following Josh Freese’s departure from the band. Drum coach Dave Elitch revealed this information on Instagram.
Elitch shared details about the audition process after one of his students participated in the tryouts but was not selected for the position.
“One of my longtime students and good friends went out for the Foo Fighters gig and he did not get it,” Elitch said in his video. “And so, I’ve been talking to him last night and this morning about everything.”
The drum coach went on to explain the emotional challenges musicians face when auditioning for high-profile positions.
“When musicians go out for gigs and you don’t get them, it’s a lot harder than other industries,” he continued. “Like actors, for instance, go out for hundreds of roles in their career, and musicians might go out for a handful. Like maybe a dozen, if you’re lucky. So when you don’t get them, it’s crushing.”
Elitch emphasized that rejection is a normal part of the music industry. He noted that even successful musicians have experienced setbacks.
“And also, everyone has not gotten a gig,” he added. “All of your favorite drummers and all these super famous big name people, they have not gotten gigs they’ve gone out for. So it’s a normal part of the process.”
Fan reactions to the news have been mixed. Some expressed confidence in the band’s audition process, while others questioned the circumstances surrounding Freese’s departure.
One fan wrote on Reddit, “Well, the last time Foo Fighters held auditions that we know of, they got Shifty, so I trust that process for them!”
Another fan said, “Josh Freese being ‘bad enough’ to warrant throwing him out without a drummer picked and needing to go to auditions to find one just makes this whole saga even more sour-tasting.”
The drummer search comes amid significant changes within both Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails. What appears to be a strategic exchange between the two prominent rock acts is taking place.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Josh Freese is expected to return to Nine Inch Nails as their drummer. He will be rejoining the band he previously toured with from 2005 to 2008. This move creates a full-circle moment for Freese, who had established himself as a reliable session drummer before joining Foo Fighters.
Meanwhile, Ilan Rubin had been serving as Nine Inch Nails’ drummer. He reportedly accepted the Foo Fighters’ offer in what industry observers are calling a drummer trade between the two bands. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that Rubin’s credentials include being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as the youngest member at age 32. This highlights the caliber of musician the Foo Fighters has potentially secured.
The timing of these changes reflects a broader pattern in the rock music landscape. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that 2025 has seen many major rock bands undergo lineup changes involving their drummers. These include The Who, Primus, Oasis, and Guns N’ Roses, signaling a dynamic shift in the rock music scene this year.
This drummer swap represents more than just personnel changes. It demonstrates how established musicians continue to seek new creative challenges and opportunities within the industry’s upper echelons. Both Freese and Rubin bring extensive experience and proven track records to their respective new positions. This suggests that both bands prioritized musical compatibility and professional reliability in their decisions.
