Foo Fighters, Nine Inch Nails reportedly swap drummers

Josh Freese returns to NIN while Ilan Rubin joins the Foos

In a notable change for the rock music scene, Foo Fighters have reportedly brought in Ilan Rubin as their new drummer, with Josh Freese returning to Nine Inch Nails. This move effectively constitutes a “drummer swap” between the two prominent ’90s bands.

Freese had been the Foo Fighters’ drummer for two years, following the passing of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. He was reportedly “let go” from the Foo Fighters in May of this year. Previously, Freese had a tenure with Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2009, appearing on albums like Year Zero and The Slip.

Rubin, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails since 2008 (with a break in between), is now set to join the Foo Fighters. Rubin is also a member of Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves and holds the distinction of being the youngest living musician inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Nine Inch Nails in 2020.

While the Foo Fighters have not yet officially confirmed Rubin’s addition, reports from multiple sources indicate the change, with Nine Inch Nails seemingly confirming Freese’s return with a social media post of Freese that says, “Let’s fucking go.” This drummer shuffle comes just a week before Nine Inch Nails are set to kick off a North American tour. The Foo Fighters have a series of international dates scheduled for the fall.

It’s unclear if either drummer is permanently joining their respective new band.

It’s worth noting that Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has also previously contributed drums to Nine Inch Nails’ 2005 album With Teeth and the 2016 EP Not the Actual Events.