The band is currently celebrating the upcoming 30th anniversary of their seminal debut album
Foo Fighters are back with a brand new single called “Today’s Song,” their first new piece of material since their hit 2023 album ‘But Here We Are.’ Over the last few weeks, the band has been celebrating the upcoming 30th anniversary of their self-titled debut album which arrived on July 4, 1995.
Stream the official audio below now.
“Over the years, we’ve had moments of unbridled joy, and moments of devastating heartbreak,” frontman Dave Growl said in a note to fans. “Moments of beautiful victory, and moments of painful defeat. We have mended broken bones and broken hearts. But we have followed this road together, with each other, for each other, no matter what. Because in life, you just can’t go it alone.”
He also made a point to thank former members of Foo Fighters, including recently dismissed drummer Josh Freese.”
“It should go without saying that without the boundless energy of William Goldsmith, the seasoned wisdom of Franz Stahl, and the thunderous wizardry of Josh Freese, this story would be incomplete, so we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the time, music, and memories that we shared with each of them over the years. Thank you, gentlemen.”
Drummer Taylor Hawkins, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022, also received a beautiful shout-out.
“And, Taylor. Your name is spoken every day, sometimes with tears, sometimes with a smile, but you are still in everything we do, everywhere we go, forever,” Grohl adds. “The enormity of your beautiful soul is only rivaled by the infinite longing we feel in your absence. We all miss you beyond words. Foo Fighters will forever include Taylor Hawkins in every note that we play, until we do finally reach our destination.”
Grohl recorded the debut Foo Fighters album in October 1994 at Robert Lang Studios in Shoreline, Washington, over just six days. Still grieving and unsure of his musical future, he wanted to record music anonymously to avoid being overshadowed by Nirvana’s legacy. To that end, he played nearly every instrument on the album himself: all guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. The only other musician credited is former Germs/Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear, who played a minor guitar part on “X-Static.”
The songs were a mix of older demo ideas and newer material Grohl had written post-Nirvana. Some songs like “Alone + Easy Target” dated back to 1991, while others, like “This Is a Call,” were penned shortly before the sessions.
Grohl laid down the tracks with engineer Barrett Jones, a friend from the Seattle scene. After recording, Grohl pressed 100 cassettes under the name “Foo Fighters,” a moniker referencing WWII-era slang for UFOs, hoping to keep the focus off his identity. The tape quickly gained traction in the industry, leading to a deal with Capitol Records through Gary Gersh, who had previously signed Nirvana to DGC.
Despite modest expectations, Foo Fighters became a significant commercial success. The album was released during a transitional period for alternative rock and benefited from both Grohl’s pedigree and its infectious blend of punk, grunge, and power pop.
The album peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200. It was eventually certified Platinum by the RIAA, signifying over one million units sold in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Foo Fighters reached #3 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the BPI. The album also charted well across Europe and Oceania, achieving commercial success in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The album produced several successful singles including This Is a Call” – The lead single and a bold declaration of Grohl’s re-emergence. It reached #2 on the UK Rock Chart and #6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. “I’ll Stick Around” – Known for its aggressive tone and rumored references to Courtney Love, the song was a mainstay on MTV. “Big Me” – A short, melodic track that gained notoriety for its humorous Mentos-inspired music video. It hit #13 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and was a Top 20 hit in the UK. “For All the Cows” and “Alone + Easy Target” were released as promotional singles in some markets and became live staples.
Upon release, Foo Fighters was met with generally positive reviews. Critics praised Grohl’s knack for melody and energy, though some questioned how seriously the project should be taken given its DIY origins. In hindsight, the album has been recognized for laying the foundation for the Foo Fighters’ long-term success.
Over time, songs like “This Is a Call” and “Big Me” have become iconic entries in the band’s catalog. More importantly, the debut proved that Dave Grohl was not just the drummer from Nirvana — he was a creative force in his own right, capable of evolving into one of rock’s most beloved frontmen.
What began as a cathartic and anonymous recording experiment became the origin story of one of the most successful rock bands of the last three decades. Foo Fighters may have been born in the shadow of Nirvana, but its raw energy, melodic hooks, and emotional undertones helped Grohl emerge with a new identity — one that would shape the future of rock music well into the 21st century.
Foo Fighters confirmed new drummer Josh Freese in May of 2023, just over two years ago. The band announced Freese during their live stream rehearsal for their upcoming tour dates. He became the third drummer to sit behind the kit for Foo Fighters since Taylor Hawkins’ untimely death last March of 2022.
Following the departure of drummer William Goldsmith during the recording sessions for Foo Fighters’ debut LP The Colour and the Shape, Taylor Hawkins official joined the band in the spring of 1997. He made his studio debut on 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose (Roswell/RCA). Hawkins went on to play on every record until 2021’s Medicine at Midnight. The record hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and took the top spot in several other countries. The album garnered the band three GRAMMY® Awards, including Best Rock Song (“Waiting on a War”), Best Rock Performance (“Making a Fire”), and Best Rock Album.
Foo Fighters’ last live performance with Hawkins was in Buenos Aires’ Hipódromo de San Isidro at Lollapalooza Argentina.
In October, Foo Fighters are returning to the stage. They will perform at the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. Other features acts include Elton John, The Smashing Pumpkins and Crowded House. The race is set to take place October 3 through October 5 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
After performing sporadically across North America in 2023, Foo Fighters embarked on a full United States tour last year that kicked off with back-to-back shows at Citi Field in New York on July 17 and July 18. The run wrapped up on August 18 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, where frontman Dave Grohl’s old house recently hit the market.
Revisit our review and live photos from HersheyPark Stadium HERE.
Foo Fighters’ new album, But Here We Are, arrived in June of 2023. The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, and topped Billboard’s Rock and Alternative Albums charts. It marked the band’s first release without late drummer Taylor Hawkins since he joined the band for 1999’s There Is Nothing Left to Lose. Dave Grohl recorded all the drums on But Here We Are.
The album garnered the band three 2024 GRAMMY® Award nominations. The LP But Here We Are was up for Best Rock Album, while the record’s lead single “Rescued” was in the running for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. Metallica and Arctic Monkeys also grabbed three nods each.
