When did Nine Inch Nails make its debut? Career explored as it swaps its drummer with Foo Fighters

Nine Inch Nails made their debut in 1989 with the release of their first album, Pretty Hate Machine.

Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails are swapping their drummers, as per The Hollywood Reporter, ahead of the latter's North American leg of their Peel It Back tour. In May 2025, Foo Fighters let go of their drummer, Josh Freese, who will be replaced by Nine Inch Nails' drummer Ilan Rubin.

Freese will be returning the Foo Fighters' favor by filling in for Rubin for the Nails' North America tour, which is scheduled to begin on August 6 in Oakland, California.

Freese had joined Foo Fighters in May 2023, after the passing of the late Taylor Hawkins. Freese was earlier part of the Nails from 2005 to 2008.

Rubin had earlier served as Nails' touring drummer since 2009 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2020. He's also the drummer for Angels and Airwaves and has previously worked with Danny Elfman.

Nine Inch Nails tagged Freese in a recent Instagram story, with the caption,

"let's f***ing go."

It is unclear if Rubin's addition to Foo Fighters is as a full-time member or as a touring member.

More about Josh Freese's addition to Nine Inch Nails

In addition to Nine Inch Nails, Freese has also drummed for Devo since 1996 and has also played for A Perfect Circle after he left Guns N' Roses in 1999. Josh Freese will be reuniting with Nine Inch Nails ahead of their Asia tour. Freese was Nails' live drummer from 2005-2008.

While speaking with Dean Delray in a 2021 podcast interview, Freese revealed the reason behind his exit from the Nails in 2008, mentioning that he and his wife had two young boys at home and

"he needed to just go home and be a dad for a while".

Freese had been released by Foo Fighters ahead of their Asia tour, across Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore. At the time, Freese took to Instagram to confirm his split from the band, noting that the band had decided

"to go in a different direction with their drummer."

He also added,

"I'm not angry-just a bit shocked and disappointed".

Trending

The Foo Fighters will play their first show in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 2, and then head to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore two days later. The band will then make its way to headline two nights at Saitama's Super Arena on October 7 and October 8 before heading to Kobe, Japan, for an October 10 concert.

The band will eventually return to North America on November 14 to perform at Corona Capital in Mexico City.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback