Foo Fighters

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Biography

Foo Fighters (formed 1995)

Foo Fighters are a band that began as a solo project for Dave Grohl, the former drummer for Nirvana. They are now an internationally renowned band and three of their albums have won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album.

The early years: During his time as Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl occasionally booked studio time to record his own demos, not wanting to ruin the chemistry of Nirvana by introducing his own songs to the band. Grohl released a cassette entitled Pocketwatch in 1992, under the pseudonym `Late!'

The demo tapes that eventually became the debut Foo Fighters album were recorded in Seattle. Grohl played all the instruments and sang all the vocals on the recordings, apart from one guitar line, which was played by Greg Dulli of the band Afghan Whigs.

Ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic was the initial candidate to play bass in Foo Fighters but both Novoselic and Grohl were concerned that people may think the pair were trying to reincarnate Nirvana. However, Grohl was keen to avoid Foo Fighters being a one-man studio project. He drafted ex-Sunny Day Real Estate bass player Nate Mendel and their drummer, William Goldsmith. To complete the line-up, Grohl invited Nirvana's occasional touring guitarist, Pat Smear to play second guitar. Smear also used to be a member of the punk band The Germs.

The first single, `This Is A Call' was released in 1995, followed by the self-titled album. That same year, they made their first appearance at the Reading Festival.

Mainstream Success: The second album was recorded with producer Gil Norton but Grohl was unhappy with the mixes of the tracks. He headed to a studio in Washington DC and began recording some of the songs again by himself. The newer version of `Walking After You', with Grohl playing all the instruments, was the one used for the album.

When the band re-grouped in LA to re-record the album, with Grohl playing drums, Goldsmith was not informed about the session. Eventually, he found out from Mendel. Feeling betrayed, he left the band. The album, The Colour and The Shape was released in 1997.

Alanis Morrisette's touring drummer, Taylor Hawkins volunteered for the role of drummer in the band and was playing live with the band in time for the release of The Colour and The Shape. In September of 1997, outside the MTV Video Music Awards, Pat Smear also announced that he was leaving the band, and introduced the crowd to his replacement, Franz Stahl. Stahl appeared on two soundtrack recordings (a re-recorded `Walking After You' for The X-Files and `A320' for Godzilla) but left the band before they recorded their third album.

There is Nothing Left To Lose was recorded in Virginia, as a three-piece. The single `Learn To Fly' was the band's first single to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Chris Shiflett successfully auditioned as a touring guitarist and eventually became a permanent member of the band.

When Queen were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, Grohl and Hawkins performed with them, with Dave Grohl taking on the vocals of the late Freddie Mercury. Grohl also took time out to help Queens of the Stone Age record their Songs for the Deaf album, after spending four months recording the Foo Fighters' fourth album.

Having finished the QotSA album, however, Grohl was inspired to get Foo Fighters to re-record their own album. The resulting record was entitled One By One. The single, `Times Like These' was used as part of George W. Bush's presidential campaign, much to the band's distaste.

The fifth Foo Fighters studio album was In Your Honour, a double CD. One disc was acoustic numbers, the other contained rock songs. Grohl stated that it was the perfect way to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary.

The follow up, produced by Gil Norton again, was released in 2007, entitled Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace. Soon after the album's completion, the band played at the huge `Live Earth' event at Wembley Stadium.

They also performed their song `The Pretender' at the Grammy awards, with John Paul Jones conducting the orchestra.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Six Real Songs About Pregnancy And Parenthood That Ring So True


Halsey Foo Fighters Brody Dalle Brandi Carlile Sandi Thom

With the recent release of Halsey’s inspirational new album If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, we have been reflecting on the world of motherhood - which is one thing that remains just as difficult whether or not you are a famous popstar.

Photo credit: PixabayPhoto credit: Pixabay

These musicians have written some of the most authentic songs about motherhood and pregnancy you’ll probably ever hear.

Continue reading: Six Real Songs About Pregnancy And Parenthood That Ring So True

The Best Of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees The Foo Fighters


Foo Fighters Dave Grohl

To celebrate their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week, we reflect on the most iconic songs from the Foo Fighters' 26-year career. It's the first year the band has been eligible for induction, and also marks Dave Grohl's second entry into the Hall of Fame after Nirvana were inducted in 2014.

Foo Fighters performing in Budapest, 2019 / Photo credit: Matteo Scalet/Zuma Press/PA ImagesFoo Fighters performing in Budapest, 2019 / Photo credit: Matteo Scalet/Zuma Press/PA Images

1. Learn to Fly (1999)

Continue reading: The Best Of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees The Foo Fighters

February 2021 Favourites: We Took Our Medicine At Midnight But Still Succumbed To Death By Rock And Roll And Carnage!


Foo Fighters The Pretty Reckless Mogwai

The normally uneventful month of February saw a lot more activity than the norm as 2021 saw significant signs of hope and optimism begin to appear. The United States Of America welcomed incoming president Joe Biden as he set about reversing the policies of his impeached predecessor. The UK vigorously set about implementing their vaccination programme and managed to give 20 million people their first jab by the end of February. A 'road map' out of the pandemic was announced inspiring some festivals, including Reading & Leeds and Creamfields to confirm that this years events would go ahead. The US had it's Super Bowl, including a pre-show by Miley Cyrus that had an audience of specially invited, inoculated, health workers to a Tik-Tok Tailgate Party

https://admin.contactmusic.com/images/home/images/content/taylor-swift-2019-%20isabel-infantes-pa-49048379.jpgTaylor Swift: Photo credit: Isabel Infantes, PA Images.  

Taylor Swift announced that she would be re-recording her first six albums as she sets about reclaiming ownership of her songs, Billie Eilish was the subject of an Amazon interview, Britney Spears was the subject of a Sky documentary and the allegations against the now disgraced shock-rocker Marilyn Manson continued to mount. Sia drew criticism for her Golden Globe award nominated film debut Music but Andra Day triumphed, winning the Best Actress award for her lead role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. And so, with winners in mind, here's our top-five musical favourites from February. 

Continue reading: February 2021 Favourites: We Took Our Medicine At Midnight But Still Succumbed To Death By Rock And Roll And Carnage!

Upcoming Releases: The February Albums We're Sure You're Going To Fall For


Foo Fighters The Pretty Reckless London Grammar

As the second month of 2021 gets ever nearer we take a look at the new releases that are set to delight our ears over the coming weeks. It may have been a slowish start to the year but things are certainly hotting up for February. Ahead of Valentines Day there are a whole load of new releases that you're sure to fall in love with. 

https://admin.contactmusic.com/images/home/images/content/foo-fighters-medicine-at-midnight-album-cover.jpg

Foo Fighters - Medicine At Midnight - release date, 5/12.

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: The February Albums We're Sure You're Going To Fall For

Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Announces New Documentary 'Play'


Dave Grohl Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters’ lead singer Dave Grohl has revealed details of a new two-part mini-documentary film called Play, which builds up to the unveiling of a brand new solo song on which he plays every instrument.

Trailers for the immersive Play project appeared on Wednesday night ahead of a release date of August 10th, and according to Grohl, it serves to show fans “the rewards and challenges of dedicating ones life to playing and mastering a musical instrument.”

Play was conceived with the help of Mark Monroe, the director of Foo Fighters’ 2014 series ‘Sonic Highways’. In the new project, fans will see Grohl play a brand new solo song, a 23-minute instrumental, on one instrument at a time from guitar to bass and drums, before all seven tracks are merged to form the complete song.

Continue reading: Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Announces New Documentary 'Play'

Foo Fighters Win Double At 2018 Kerrang! Awards


Foo Fighters

The 2018 Kerrang! Awards finally hit Islington Town Hall in London last night for a ceremony fuelled by some of the best rock 'n' roll acts the world has to offer. Foo Fighters, Joe Perry and Enter Shikari were among the winners this year, while stars the likes of Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper were also in attendance.

 Foo Fighters perform at GlastonburyFoo Fighters perform at Glastonbury

The winners have been voted for by Kerrang! readers and rock fans rather than a judging panel, and because of them Foo Fighters were the big winners of Thursday night (June 21st 2018), taking home the awards for both Best International Live Act and Best International Band, with their rookie counterparts Code Orange winning Best International Breakthrough. 

Continue reading: Foo Fighters Win Double At 2018 Kerrang! Awards

Dave Grohl Did Not Get Away With His Carpool Karaoke 'Slating'


Foo Fighters Dave Grohl James Corden

Fans may have loved to have seen Foo Fighters on Carpool Karaoke last year, but the ensuing controversy just wasn't worth it. Dave Grohl has just been forced to clarify what he meant by the experience being 'uncomfortable', after host James Corden sent him an angry text message.

Dave Grohl performing live with Foo FightersDave Grohl performing live with Foo Fighters

Following their appearance on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden', Dave Grohl and his bandmates had few positive things to say about the legendary Carpool Karaoke segment in which they appeared. He described it as 'a little uncomfortable', and admitted that he felt 'embarrassed' singing his own songs.

Continue reading: Dave Grohl Did Not Get Away With His Carpool Karaoke 'Slating'

Foo Fighters Show Their Support For Female Artists


Foo Fighters

While the music industry is much easier for women to navigate than it ever used to be, that doesn't mean that there aren't huge gender barriers for up and coming female artists. Foo Fighters have made deliberate moves to include more female acts on the support roster for their current tour.

Foo Fighters perform at GlastonburyFoo Fighters perform at Glastonbury

This week, Foo Fighters hit the UK for their European leg of their Concrete And Gold world tour, hitting Manchester's Etihad Stadium tomorrow night (June 29th) followed by a two-night residency at London Stadium on June 22nd to 23rd. As well as Dave Grohl's band though, fans are being treated to a host of diverse support acts.

Continue reading: Foo Fighters Show Their Support For Female Artists

Foo Fighters And Guns N Roses Team Up At Firenze Rocks


Foo Fighters Guns N Roses

Foo Fighters delivered what was possibly one of their most memorable sets ever at Firenze Rocks festival in Italy this week, as they invited fellow rockers Guns N Roses on stage for a joint rendition of the latter's song 'It's So Easy'. Anytime Foo Fighters join forces with other bands it's epic, but this was something else.

Foo Fighters at Glastonbury FestivalFoo Fighters at Glastonbury Festival

Dave Grohl's band were headlining the festival last night (June 14th 2018) and decided to pay tribute to GNR with a cover of their 1987 debut single 'It's So Easy' from the iconic album 'Appetite For Destruction'. But things only got better when Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagen joined them ahead of their own headline slot tonight.

Continue reading: Foo Fighters And Guns N Roses Team Up At Firenze Rocks

Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Pranks Gothenburg Crowd With Broken Leg Stunt


Dave Grohl Foo Fighters

As if it needed repeating, Dave Grohl is one of the most genial rock stars around, as he displayed last night by pranking an entire stadium into thinking he had broken his leg by falling off-stage – again.

Grohl and his band Foo Fighters were performing on Tuesday night (June 5th) at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium in Sweden – the very same place where the singer had broken his leg in an accidental tumble almost exactly three years before.

In the opening moments of the show, ‘Grohl’ appeared to run out onto the gangway leading out into the crowd from the front of the stage, before slipping over and tumbling headlong into the audience. Initially, there were shocked gasps – history couldn’t be repeating itself, surely?

Continue reading: Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl Pranks Gothenburg Crowd With Broken Leg Stunt

Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters - Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl injures his leg while performing in Gothenburg. Grohl was rushed to a hospital but returned less than an hour later to finish the show while sitting in a wheelchair, with his leg in a cast. at Ullevi - Gothenburg, Sweden - Friday 12th June 2015

Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters and Grammy - Dave Grohl and Nate Mendel of Foo Fighters Sunday 12th February 2012 54th Annual Grammy Awards (The Grammys) - 2012 Arrivals held at the Staples Center

Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters and Grammy

Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters - Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters London, England - outside the BBC radio Two Friday 25th February 2011

Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl - Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Las Vegas, Nevada - Spike TV Video Game Awards held at the Mandalay Bay hotel casino Friday 7th December 2007

Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl
Foo Fighters

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