Josh Freese Theorizes Why He Was Fired from the Foo Fighters: A Poodle Obsession, No Facial Hair and More

Josh Freese has some ideas about why his gig with the Foo Fighters didn't work out.

After two years as the drummer for the rock band following Taylor Hawkins' death, Freese, 52, announced that they were parting ways on Friday, May 16. Days later, Freese posted about what he thinks led to the sudden departure.

On May 19, the musician posted a cheeky list on Instagram titled "Top 10 possible reasons Freese got booted from the Foos" in descending order. "#lol #peaceoutrainbowtrout #byefelicia," he captioned the post.

One reason Freese listed was for that he "once whistled 'My Hero' for a solid week on tour." He also guessed that because he could only name one Fugazi song and that he never tried growing a beard his stint with the Foo Fighters was short-lived.

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Other reasons listed included his "metronome-like precision behind the kit [was] deemed ‘soulless,’ " asking that every rehearsal began with a "20 minute cowbell sound bath" and not showing up to the studio "because Mercury was in retrograde."

He also promised The Offspring musician Noodles that "he could be fourth guitarist." Noodles, 62, joked in the comments, "But you PROMISED."

The drummer teased that he "refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show."

Freese concluded the list with perhaps the most egregious reason: "the whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much." In Freese's defense, he is a devoted poodle dad to several poodles.

Freese joined the Foo Fighters members Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee in May 2023.

"The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided ‘to go in a different direction with their drummer.’ No reason was given. :(,” Freese wrote in an Instagram post.

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"Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band." He added that it was his time being fired from a band.  Freese noted he was "not angry — just a bit shocked and disappointed."

"But as most of you know I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine," he concluded.