Foo Fighters proved they are still learning to fly after being grounded for nearly a year, with two surprise pop-up shows in California that served as ways to introduce their new drummer, Ilan Rubin, and get the rust off. The band had not performed live since their last shows in 2024 before surprising fans in San Luis Obispo on Saturday (9/13) at the Fremont Theater and in Santa Ana on Monday (9/15) at the Observatory.
Rubin officially replaced Josh Freese in July in what now looks like a swap with Nine Inch Nails. Freese had joined Foos in 2023 following the tragic death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. Freese has now returned to Nine Inch Nails, while Rubin, who played with NIN from 2009 through 2022, is now keeping the beat for the Foos. Rubin had also spent 2006 to 2009 with Lostprophets and 2011 to 2018 with Angels & Airwaves.
Onstage in SLO, Dave Grohl introduced Rubin with, “everybody else has said it, I finally get the opportunity to say, ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome … the most badass mother-f—er, Ilan Rubin, is playing drums in the Foo Fighters right now. It’s official.”
Afterward on social media Rubin expressed his joy at his new station in rock.
read more at: Setlist.fm
