Four years off is a lot of time for one of the most popular rock bands in the world.

But the Foo Fighters came back refreshed and with a brand new album, “Wasting Light.”

Now the band — fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl — is out on tour again and stops in the area Monday.

The new album, which hit No. 1 in its debut week, has a harder rock sound than 2007’s “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” or 2005’s “In Your Honor,” which included a second disc of all-acoustic songs.

“It’s more of a rock and roll record than the last couple have been,” said guitarist Chris Shiflett, calling from his home in Los Angeles. “To me, it’s the part of the Foo Fighters that I like the best. I think that’s just the kind of songs that Dave naturally writes. He likes heavy music.”

This time around, the band ditched a recording studio in favor of Grohl’s garage, which Shiflett said wasn’t some cavernous space that could fit a fleet of cars. It’s a simple, small garage filled with a couple of cars and some storage.

“It worked out really well, actually. It was really comfortable. You’re at a house, so it’s not some sterile studio somewhere,” Shiflett said. “We have a studio, but it’s different. And Dave’s kids are running around, and you’re hanging out on his tennis court having lunch or whatever.”

The band was also comfortable working with producer Butch Vig, who previously helped the band produce new tracks attached to its “Greatest Hits” album. He also worked with Grohl when he produced Nirvana’s “Nevermind.”

Vig kept things light in the studio, Shiflett said, since tensions can rise when you’re recording music. But he also let ideas flow.

“He’s not one of those iron fist producers. He’s open to your ideas,” he said. “It definitely felt like we could try anything and the best idea would reveal itself. Usually when you’re doing something (bad) in the studio you can kinda feel it.”

In addition to the new album, earlier this year the band was promoting the release of “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth,” a documentary that looks at the band and its entire 16-year history. The film includes the good times as well as a few things that are harder to watch, such as addictions and other band troubles.

Drummer Taylor Hawkins voiced his displeasure with British music mag “NME,” but Shiflett said he was relieved when he finally saw the film.

“Dave actually went and saw it first and said, ‘We all need to go see the movie. It’s almost done and we should see if anyone has any comments. Just so you know, everybody’s gonna have a moment that makes you uncomfortable,’” he said. “I sort of expected the worst, and there are things that we all talk about that are a little awkward. But it wasn’t that bad. I was relieved.”

The band is excited about the tour, which just added additional dates in the fall.

“When you’re touring, you wind up having a lot of down time. I do a lot of songwriting and on a day off, I’ll sit around and mess around,” he said. “We don’t tour for big long stretches, and pretty much everybody’s bringing their kids out on this summer tour. My kids get to travel around and see the world that I never would have dreamed of when I was their age. And the other guys bring their kids, too. It’s like a big extended playdate.”

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402-444-1557, kevin.coffey@owh.com

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