Dave Grohl recently opened up about Foo Fighters’ newest addition, drummer Ilan Rubin, during an interview with Rockin’On Magazine.
When asked to introduce him, Grohl recounted how Rubin came to join the band, stressing how essential personal chemistry is within the group and praising Rubin’s range as a musician. “With pleasure! This is our new drummer, Ilan,” Grohl said. “Actually, Ilan has known me for quite some time. The music scene around us is quite small, and bands are particularly connected, so we’re all connected here and there.”
Grohl went on to describe how Rubin’s name organically surfaced during the search for a new drummer, saying the decision felt obvious from the start. “So when we were looking for a drummer, his name happened to come up, and I immediately knew, ‘Ah, I can trust him.’ I knew even before we started working together that he was not only a great drummer, but also a friendly and nice guy,” Grohl explained.
Emphasizing Foo Fighters’ internal culture, Grohl noted that the relationships among band members matter just as much as musicianship, especially considering how much time they share onstage and in daily life. “The most important thing for our band is the human connection. Whether you can feel that connection while playing as a band. Even just looking at the time we spend together on stage is quite a long time, but it’s also true that the time we spend together on stage is even more meaningful,” he said.
Grohl also highlighted Rubin’s wide-ranging musicality, praising his abilities beyond the drum kit. “He’s a really amazing musician. He’s incredibly good at guitar and piano, and his composition skills are also amazing. And of course, his drumming is absolutely amazing! We have similar tastes in music, so I really feel like ‘birds of a feather flock together.’ And more than anything, his courage on stage is very impressive.”
Rubin’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Foo Fighters, marking a shift in their rhythm section following recent changes. According to Modern Drummer, Josh Freese—who stepped in after Taylor Hawkins’ passing and performed with the band for roughly two years—was informed in May 2025 that Foo Fighters would be going in a “different direction with their drummer.”
No further explanation was provided. The move created a notable full-circle exchange in the music world: as Ultimate Classic Rock pointed out, Freese returned to Nine Inch Nails while Ilan Rubin left Nine Inch Nails to join Foo Fighters. The switch is especially striking since Rubin originally replaced Freese in Nine Inch Nails back in 2009.
Rubin made his official live debut with Foo Fighters on September 13, 2025, as documented by Arrow Lords of Metal, where Grohl introduced him publicly as the band’s new drummer.
In addition to his drumming credentials, Rubin brings significant versatility. As highlighted on YouTube, he is recognized not only as a drummer but also as a skilled multi-instrumentalist and vocalist—a combination that aligns closely with Grohl’s praise of his proficiency in guitar, piano, and composition, reinforcing why he fits so naturally within the band.
