Discover the game of musical drum chairs, starring Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails

The Cheshire Cat said “We’re all mad here”, and it wasn’t entirely wrong. Josh Freese, drummer for Nine Inch Nails, an industrial metal band inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has spoken out about his unexpected return to active duty. Unexpectedly, Freese was revealed on July 30, as the new drummer for Nine Inch Nails, taking Ilan Rubin’s place. Known for his work with A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, and others, Freese was the drummer for Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2008. It’s interesting to note that about three weeks ago, Freese even praised Rubin’s performance with NIN on social media.

The unexpected game of musical drum chairs here is that Rubin seems to have left Nine Inch Nails to play drums for the hard rock band Foo Fighters. Prior to being fired by Foo Fighters in May of this year, Freese was the final member of the group to occupy that position. Foo Fighters reportedly informed Freese at the time that they had made the decision “to go in a different direction with their drummer.” Rubin really took Freese’s position in Nine Inch Nails in late 2008, as if that was all cyclical enough. Freese sent the following statement on social media to confirm rumors that he was returning to Nine Inch Nails.

Leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of 2008 was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. My wife and I were expecting our third child, and I knew I needed to step away from life on the road to be home with my family.

NIN was a band that left me walking off stage every single night thinking, “That was incredible. We absolutely crushed it.” And it wasn’t just a feeling, it was a certainty. That level of intensity, pride, and satisfaction after each show is something I’ve rarely experienced anywhere

Now, being back on tour with Trent and the crew—helping them do what they do best night after night—is something I’m incredibly excited about. To be part of that energy again feels amazing.

If you get a chance to catch one of these shows over the next six weeks, I promise, they’re going to be absolutely unforgettable.

Hope to see you out there.
—Josh

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