Almost exactly two years since he joined the band,Josh Freeseis no longer a Foo Fighter. The veteran drummer, who took over the beat-keeping following theMarch 2022 deathof Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins,announced on Instagramthe band informed him Monday night that "they've decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer'." Freese said no reason was given. The band's camp had no comment when contacted by USA TODAY. Freese, 52, who has also played with Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle, took a tone of acceptance and confusion with his post, adding "I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band." More:Live Nation's $30 concert tickets are back: Participating tours and how to get tickets But, he continued, "In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band, so I'm not angry – just a bit shocked and disappointed." Freese also nodded to David Letterman and joked, "Stay tuned for my 'Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from theFoo Fighters'list." After the death of Hawkinsfrom a drug overdosewhile the Foo Fighters were on tour in Colombia, the band took a hiatus aside from holdingtribute concertsin Hawkins' honor in September 2022. The Foo Fighters reemerged with Freese behind the drumsin May 2023with a tour that began in New Hampshire. While the band has again been quiet since the revelation last year thatGrohl fathered a babyoutside of his marriage, the frontman did reunite with his former Nirvana bandmates in January to perform at theFire Aid concertto benefit victims of the Los Angeles wildfires as well at February's"Saturday Night Live" 50thanniversary concert. The only upcoming performance on theFoo Fighters' docketis Oct. 4 at the Singapore Grand Prix. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Foo Fighters fire drummer Josh Freese to 'go in a different direction'
