Over the past six weeks, eight rock and steel bands have cut up with their drummer. One legendary group even fired the identical drummer twice.
Dream Theater‘s Mike Portnoy even acknowledged the current string of splits, calling it a “powerful time for drummers.”
Might and a few of the previous weeks have been a shaky time for drummers general. Earlier this month, Alice in Chains bowed out of a short tour after drummer Sean Kinney was treated for a non-life threatening medical emergency.
Elsewhere, former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin, who revealed in early April that he stepped down from the group, took on his first gig since leaving the band. At Welcome to Rockville, Snot’s Jamie Miller had a scheduling battle, so Larkin stepped in. It was additionally introduced that 18 12 months outdated drummer Shane Hawkins can be sitting in behind the kit this summer for Chevy Metal, a covers band that when featured his father Taylor Hawkins.
That is quite a lot of large drummer strikes in a brief time period, however what in regards to the bands all of the sudden making a change behind the package?
These strikes have definitely shaken up the rock and steel world in current weeks and we will perceive the way it is perhaps laborious to maintain the beat while you’re wanting over your shoulder.
What Drummers Have Moved On within the Final 6 Weeks?
Zak Starkey (The Who) — Twice
One of many craziest sagas this 12 months has centered on Zak Starkey‘s employment with The Who.
In mid-April, Starkey was let go from the band after 29 years with a press release that learn, “The band made a collective choice to half methods with Zak after this spherical of exhibits on the Royal Albert Corridor. They don’t have anything however admiration for him and need him the easiest for his future.”
Starkey countered, “After taking part in these songs with the band for thus many many years, I’m stunned and saddened anybody would have a problem with my efficiency that evening, however what are you able to do?”
Then three days after he was let go, Pete Townshend revealed that Starkey was being requested again. In a social media publish, the guitarist cited “communication points” for the preliminary cut up and clarified that every one had been resolved.
However then on Might 19, Starkey was let go from The Who a SECOND time in as many months. Scott Devours, who had performed in Roger Daltrey’s solo band, was introduced as the brand new drummer.
Starkey then as soon as once more commented, revealing that Daltrey had “retired” him in order that he may work on his different musical initiatives. In a single publish, he acknowledged that that they had parted on good phrases, however in a separate publish he known as “complete bollocks” on the best way he was let go and let or not it’s clear that he was fired.
Josh Freese (Foo Fighters)
One of many extra stunning strikes got here in mid-Might when Josh Freese announced that he was being replaced in Foo Fighters. After the dying of Taylor Hawkins, Freese admirably stepped in and dealt with drumming duties for the Foos whereas touring their However Right here We Are album after having sat in with the group on the Taylor Hawkins tribute exhibits.
Freese’s social media publish appeared to go away as many questions as he himself had after the firing. “The Foo Fighters known as me Monday evening to let me know they’ve determined ‘to go in a unique route’ with their drummer,” remarked Freese, who added that no additional reasoning was given.
The drummer later added, “Whereas I am not indignant – only a bit shocked and upset.”
Retaining his humorousness via his first firing as knowledgeable musician, Freese later dropped a listing of Top 10 Possible Reasons He Got Booted From the Foos.
At press time, Foo Fighters had not named Freese’s alternative however have begun reserving 2025 tour dates.
READ MORE: The 66 Best Rock + Metal Drummers of All Time
Ken Bedene (Aborted)
It was abrupt and never a lot element was given when Aborted parted ways with drummer Ken Bedene after 15 years. The band initially provided a press release revealing Bedene’s exit and that their European tour would go on with Kevin Paradis taking on drumming duties on the tour.
However after a while had handed, Bedene commented on why he made his fast exit from the band whereas addressing why it was necessary.
In an Instagram publish, he shared that there had been a web-based interplay with younger feminine fan that he claimed was “consensual and reciprocated,” and whereas she was of authorized age in her state, he added, “I perceive it ought to have by no means occurred.”
He went on so as to add that whereas there may be some “misinformation” and “false claims” circulating on-line, he needed to solely acknowledge his half and to attempt to study from it. He shared that he left the band to “defend the folks and the neighborhood I’ve cared about” and didn’t need his actions to influence the band.
David-Karl Friedrich (Electrical Callboy)
In late April, Electric Callboy drummer David-Karl Friedrich introduced that he was exiting the group after a 13 12 months run. In contrast to a few of the different strikes, this one had little drama hooked up to it. The band issued a press release that mentioned that Friedrich “determined that he needs to do one thing new” and their farewell to the musician shared with followers was one which shared their nice respect for his time within the band.
Frank Zummo, whose credit embody Sum 41 and Road Drum Corps, stepped in for the group after Friedrich’s exit.
Kris Myers (Umphrey’s McGee)
One other shocker got here in mid-Might when Kris Myers, the longtime drummer of jam band Umphrey’s McGee, cut up with the band after 22 years behind the package.
The parting gave the impression to be on good phrases because the band shared pictures of a celebration they shared with the drummer on social media, earlier than asserting that they’d be filling the Myers void with Scotty Zwang and Duane Vans sitting in with the band on the remaining dates of their present tour leg.
“As we glance forward, UM stays as dedicated as ever to creating new music and unforgettable recollections with you,” acknowledged the group.
In a separate publish issued concurrently by Myers and the group, the drummer famous, “The choice wasn’t simple, however the largest ones seldom are” about his choice to step down. “We collectively felt it was time for me to pursue different components of my musical creativity which have been calling to me.”
Tanner Wayne (In Flames)
In Flames have endured intensive turnover all through the years and the legislation to go away the band is drummer Tanner Wayne. In late Might, it was introduced that the drummer and the band have been going their separate methods.
“It’s with profound gratitude and appreciation that we announce our artistic choice to half methods with Tanner Wayne,” mentioned the band as a part of the assertion asserting the transfer.
Wayne had joined the group in 2019 and appeared on the I, The Masks and Foregone albums.
Jon Rice (Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Scorpion Little one, ex-Job For a Cowboy, 1349 – reside, Behemoth – reside, Cephalic Carnage – reside) was recruited to satisfy the group’s spring and summer time European tour dates.
Matt Lynch (Cynic)
On Might 29, Cynic confirmed that that they had parted methods with drummer Matt Lynch. In a publish on social media, the band commented, “We’re grateful for the time and music shared and need Matt all the perfect as he strikes forward.”
The affirmation got here after the group just lately carried out on the Maryland Deathfest on Might 24 with Gorguts’ Michel Belanger dealing with their drumming duties.
Lynch had been with the band since 2015 and appeared on their Ascension Codes album in addition to the 2018 single, “Humanoid.”
Guido Zima Montanarini (Paradise Misplaced)
Paradise Lost grew to become the legislation band in search of a brand new drummer on Might 29 once they revealed they have been parting methods with Guido Zima Montanarini.
In a social media assertion, they confirmed the transfer whereas including, “We thank Guido for his contributions to the band and need him the perfect in his future endeavors.”
Montanarini first joined the band in 2023. The band had simply completed a North American tour. A alternative was not instantly named.
That is eight drummers let go from their bands within the final six weeks and 2025 as an entire has additionally proved difficult for these behind the package.
Earlier this 12 months Will Hunt took over for Shannon Larkin in Godsmack and Isaac Carpenter was named the new Guns N’ Roses drummer after Frank Ferrer’s exit.
14 Drummers Who Might Substitute Josh Freese in Foo Fighters
Josh Freese shared that he was fired from Foo Fighters in Might of 2025, so these are some rock and steel drummers we predict could possibly be his alternative.
Gallery Credit score: Lauryn Schaffner