Dave Grohl has opened up about Ilan Rubin’s move into Foo Fighters, describing how the drummer has been adjusting after years in a very different live setting.
In a recent interview, Grohl said Rubin came from a long run with Nine Inch Nails, where the music often depended on exact patterns, tight grooves, and playing along with a click track. That kind of setup requires precision, with every part locked closely to the arrangement.
Rubin joined Foo Fighters in July 2025, stepping in after Josh Freese. His first show with the band took place on September 14, 2025, at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California.
Grohl said the change meant Rubin had to loosen up behind the kit. After years of playing in a more controlled format, Foo Fighters offered a different kind of energy, one built more around feel, movement, and the natural push of a live rock band.
Rubin’s background also includes work with Angels & Airwaves, Danny Elfman, and his solo project The New Regime. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Nine Inch Nails in 2020.