Jul
Foo Fighters have officially welcomed Ilan Rubin as their new drummer, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
Rubin, best known for his work with NINE INCH NAILS, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2020. He has also played with ANGELS & AIRWAVES, Danny Elfman, and released solo albums under The New Regime.
Rubin Replaces Josh Freese After May Departure
Rubin steps into the Foo Fighters lineup as a replacement for Josh Freese, who was fired in May after two years with the band. Freese had joined in 2023 following the passing of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
On May 16, Freese confirmed the band had contacted him earlier that week to let him know they were “going in a different direction” without offering a reason. He expressed disappointment but gratitude for the experience.
Shortly after, NINE INCH NAILS shared a social media post featuring Freese with the caption:
“Let’s fucking go.”
This confirmed Freese’s return to NIN, where he previously served as touring drummer from 2005 to 2008.
Foo Fighters Return to the Stage in Fall 2025
Foo Fighters will kick off their 2025 tour in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 2, followed by shows in:
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Osaka
They’ll also perform in Mexico City on November 14.
Rubin’s Career Beyond NIN
Ilan Rubin played with NINE INCH NAILS from 2008 to 2009, and again from 2013 until his recent departure. Beyond NIN, he is known for his longtime membership in Tom DeLonge’s band ANGELS & AIRWAVES, and for contributing to live performances with Danny Elfman.
His solo work as The New Regime has earned critical acclaim for blending rock, electronic, and orchestral elements.
Legacy of Taylor Hawkins
Rubin follows in the footsteps of Taylor Hawkins, who was with Foo Fighters for 25 years before his tragic passing at age 50 in March 2022. Hawkins died in a hotel room in Colombia, just hours before the band was set to headline a festival in Bogotá. No official cause of death was ever released.
Following Hawkins’ death, the band held two tribute concerts:
- London’s Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2022
- Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 27, 2022
The latter raised funds for MusiCares and Music Support and served as a final farewell to Hawkins’s adopted hometown.
Additional tributes included:
- A segment at the 2022 Grammy Awards
- A drum circle in his hometown
- A 1,000-musician live performance of “My Hero”
What’s Next for Foo Fighters
The band’s 11th studio album, “But Here We Are,” was released in June 2023 via Roswell/RCA and marked a powerful return following Hawkins’s death. With Rubin now behind the kit, the Foo Fighters are entering a new chapter — one fueled by legacy, loss, and the unrelenting drive to evolve.
