Foo Fighters introduced former Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin as their newest bandmate during a surprise concert for 900 fans at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California on Saturday, Rolling Stone reported.
Frontman Dave Grohl reportedly told the crowd: “Everybody else has said it, I finally get the opportunity to say, ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome, the most badass mother——, Ilan Rubin, is playing drums in the Foo Fighters. It’s official.”
As per the outlet, the concert marked the band’s first performance since 2024 and featured a 25-song set that included hits like “Everlong” and “Learn to Fly,” as well as rarely played tracks “Exhausted” and “Have It All,” which hadn’t been performed live in at least a decade.
Rubin’s addition to the Foo Fighters comes as part of a unique trade of sorts with Josh Freese, who had joined the band following the 2022 death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Freese has returned to Nine Inch Nails, where he previously sat behind the kit as drummer between 2005 and 2008 before being replaced by Rubin.
Freese recently confirmed his return to Trent Reznor’s band on social media, writing: “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,” the report said.
The announcement for the Foo Fighters’ concert on the band’s Instagram featured a teaser of what’s believed to be a new song. Earlier this year, Foo Fighters dropped their first new music since 2023’s “But Here We Are” album: a new track called “Today’s Song” and a cover of hardcore heroes Minor Threat’s “I Don’t Wanna Hear It.”