The Foo Fighters have found their new drummer after the sudden death of their longtime friend and drummer Taylor Hawkins.
During the “Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts” livestream event that previewed the group’s 11th studio album, “But Here We Are,” on Sunday, the band introduced studio drummer Josh Freese as Hawkins’ successor.
Freese is a veteran drummer and has played with Nine Inch Nails, The Offspring, Sting and Weezer, among many others. He also played with the Foo Fighters during a London tribute show for Hawkins in 2022, even playing on the late drummer’s very own drum kit.
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Josh Freese performs with The Offspring at the iHeartRadio theater in Burbank, California, in August.
According to a post on his Instagram page showcasing a photo of Hawkins’ drum set, Freese said he insisted playing the drums set for the London tribute show, saying “I want THAT energy to be up on THAT stage.”
In the same post, Freese reflected on his friendship with Hawkins, saying the two often bonded on how they felt like they “were the only 2 guys from (Orange County) in the room.”
Hawkins died in March of 2022 at 50 years old while on tour in Colombia.
In January, the Foo Fighters shared that they planed to continue on as a band, saying, “Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward.”
“And we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he’ll be there in spirit with all of us every night.”
(From left) Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee of the Foo Fighters at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in Ohio in October 2021.
They announced in April that they plan to release a new album, “But Here We Are” on June 2, saying the album comes “following a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances.”
The Foo Fighters kick off a summer tour on May 24 in New Hampshire.
Photos: Remembering Taylor Hawkins (1972-2022)
The Foo Fighters, from left, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and Chris Shiflett are photographed before their concert in Duluth, Ga., Sept. 8, 2005. On "In Your Honor," the Foo Fighters' surprising new double disc and fifth album, Grohl dramatically expands his band's sound, splitting the album's 20 songs between characteristically explosive electric tunes, and quiet, acoustic numbers. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Music group Foo Fighters are photographed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. From left are Chris Shiflett, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and Nate Mendel. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, right, and Taylor Hawkins announce nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards during a news conference, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, in Los Angeles. The Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Musician Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters arrives at the VH1 Rock Honors “The Who” on Saturday July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Recording artists Gannin Arnold, left, and Taylor Hawkins pose for a portrait Thursday, May 6, 2010 in New York. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
Taylor Hawkins, of Foo Fighters, accepts the rock song award at the 54th annual Grammy Awards pre-show on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Taylor Hawkins, left, and Nate Mendel of the band the Foo Fighters arrive at the premiere of the documentary film "Sound City" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in Park City, Utah. The film is directed by Foo Fighters band member, Dave Grohl. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Dave Grohl, right, and Taylor Hawkins attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Nokia Theatre on Thursday, April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision)
Taylor Hawkins, left, and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters react as they induct the band Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Nokia Theatre on Thursday, April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)
FILE - Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, right, and Alison Hawkins arrive at the Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File)
Rami Jaffee, from left, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear attend the premiere of HBO's "Foo Fighters Sonic Highway" on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, In New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Alison Hawkins, left and Taylor Hawkins attend Burberry's "London in Los Angeles" event at the Griffith Observatory on Thursday, April 16, 2015. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters attends a cooking demonstration at BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival at Napa Valley Expo on Sunday, May 29, 2016, in Napa, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Taylor Hawkins of the band The Foo Fighters performs with Chevy Metal during Day 1 of the Rock Allegiance Festival at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Chester, Pa. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Franz Stahl, from left, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, and Chris Shiflett of The Foo Fighters arrive at the 58th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Taylor Hawkins seen at One Love Malibu at King Gillette Ranch on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Calabasas, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Taylor Hawkins of Chevy Metal performs during KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
FILE - Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters performs at Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival at The Park at Harlinsdale on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Franklin, Tenn. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters performs at the Innings Festival at Tempe Beach Park on Saturday, Feb, 26 2022, in Tempe, Ariz. Hawkins, the longtime drummer for the rock band Foo Fighters, has died, according to reports, Friday, March 25, 2022. He was 50. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
