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Members Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Nate Mendel, and Taylor Hawkins have been bringing their brand of hard rock to the world since the release of their debut album Foo Fighters in 1995. A long list of EPs, studio albums, and world tours later, the band is still picking up fans from all across the globe.
The start of Foo Fighters was not, as many bands are, a meeting of minds — rather, it was the blossoming of a single mind. Lead singer and guitarist Dave Grohl had famously joined Nirvana in 1990 as a drummer, but frequently took his guitar along on tours to write songs. Too shy to share them with bandmates Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, he instead recorded his own material in private. In 1992 he released an album of demos called Pocketwatch.
When Cobain passed away in 1994, Grohl faced a crossroads: He could accept the numerous offers to play drums for acts like Pearl Jam and Tom Petty, or he could go his own route. He chose the latter, saying: “I would rather do what no one expected me to do.”
In October 1994, Grohl entered Robert Lang Studios in Shoreline, WA and recorded 15 of his original songs. Astoundingly, Grohl sang every vocal and played every single instrument on the album with the exception of a single guitar part on “X-Static”, which the Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli contributed. The whole process took five days. Grohl released the album as Foo Fighters, a name he later said is the “stupidest f***ing band name in the world.” Though he hoped to remain anonymous, record labels quickly developed interest in the project.
Capitol Records eventually signed the album. When it came time to form a band, Grohl pulled in drummer William Goldsmith and bassist Nate Mendel, both of whom had recently departed from the band Sunny Day Real Estate. Pat Smear came on board as a second guitarist.
The Foo Fighters’ debut gig was February 23, 1995 at Arcata’s Jambalaya Club. Grohl at first refused to play large venues or to conduct interviews, but caved after the album’s release in July 1995. Things took off from there with successful single releases and months of international touring.
The Foo Fighters toured through early 1996 before returning to the studio to record their sophomore album. Grohl wrote all the songs and got assistance from his band in arranging the parts. Grohl later found he was unsatisfied with the drumming, so he scrapped the drum tracks and re-recorded them himself, which caused Goldsmith to quit the band.
The Foo Fighters needed a drummer, and quickly. He contacted Taylor Hawkins, who had drummed for Alanis Morisette, for a recommendation. Hawkins had one ready: himself. The band released The Colour and the Shape in May 1997 with Hawkins debuting. It followed up with a year of heavy touring culminating in the Reading Festival and Glastonbury Festival.
The Foo Fighters’ alternative rock sound has been cultivated from the band’s love of various genres and other artists. The band is as much influenced by Dave Grohl’s former band-mate Kurt Cobain’s minimalist rock aesthetic as it is by the decadence of Queen and the melodic purity of bands like The Beatles.
Many of Foo Fighters’ hit songs, such as “Everlong” and “The Pretender”, have distinctive melodic cores which balance out the harder edge of the band’s thrashing rock sound. Gentle verses lead into powerful, shredding choruses, which encapsulate the songs' emotion.
The Foo Fighters have received a staggering 25 Grammy nominations over the past 18 years, and have managed to take home 11 awards, including four for Best Rock Album. The band has won accolades from all over the globe, with to albums such as 2011’s Wasting Light debuting at number one in 12 countries.
Sadly, long-time drummer Taylor Hawkins died on March 25, 2022, the day the band was supposed to perform at the Estéreo Picnic Festival. The band instead turned the stage into a candlelit vigil for their departed band member and friend. On September 3, it played a tribute concert to Hawkins at Wembley Stadium in London, UK and at Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
The Foo Fighters continue to play to sold-out crowds all over the world, managing to pack out small venues and huge arenas alike. In 2008 the band played two sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium in London, England, each night rocking the audience 86,000 people. With more material on the way, the Foo Fighters’ hard-earned success and popularity are not set to diminish any time soon.
Best known for her role in the TV series "Gossip Girl," Taylor Momsen also formed The Pretty Reckless in 2009, playing alongside Mark Damon (bass), Jamie Perkins (drums) and Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals). The band play a brand of hard rock influenced by the likes of Nirvana, Joan Jett Hole that is very accessible.
Their debut album "Light Me Up" (released August 27, 2010) achieved moderate success, most notably with the single "Make Me Wanna Die." Following this album release they embarked on an international tour, also featuring as part of the line up for the Vans Warped Tour. Following this success, they were invited to perform as the support act for Marilyn Manson and Evanescence, which helped to establish new fans and grow The Pretty Reckless' popularity.
Their second studio album "Going to Hell" released in 2014 saw the band achieve a new level of success. The singles "Kill Me," "Going to Hell" and "Heaven Knows" were well received, with "Heaven Knows" topping both the UK and US rock charts. The Pretty Reckless achieved a number one spot with two of their first hit singles "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World," the first time a female-fronted band has done so. The band also had a song featured on the "Kick-Ass" soundtrack, with the single, "Make Me Wanna Die."
Words can barely describe the experience of a Foo Fighters concert. I've seen them again and again because to me, their shows are the epitome of a true Rock and Roll experience.
From the moment I walk into the stadium, I can feel the buzz and energy of the crowd as the anticipation of the beginning of the show is growing. And once the lights dim and the first chord of the first song (usually "Times Like These" or "All My Life") is played, the audience erupts and the show has begun. The Foos always put on such a loud and energetic performance, pulling the crowd into the show and causing a bit of a frenzy! They usually have an amazing light show that is timed to go amazingly with the music and it's that kind of detail that really pulls you into their performance – you might have to check if there's going to be strobe lighting before you go.
Dave Grohl is very fun and friendly with the crowd, taking the time to make jokes and have fun with those lucky enough to be on the front row (it's pretty hard to get that close though). If you go see them, you'll absolutely get your money's worth: the many times that I have seen the Foo Fighters they have always played a long set, close to 2 hours, which is awesome, as they have such a large catalog of music you're dying to hear. So by the end of the show, I always feel that I was able to hear all of my favorite songs!
By the time the show ends and I'm leaving the stadium, I'm completely exhausted, thrilled, pumped up and really happy about the experience. I generally don't have much of a voice left, from shouting and singing along – but even then, I'm already finding myself getting excited for the next time I get to see them play live!!! And then I hit the parking lot and there's the same energy among everyone leaving – it's a great shared feeling, but it's so clear that everyone had an amazing time!!
Great show, really put some effort in, and my daughter (who discovered this band for me) totally loved it. Only 1 1/2 hours long for the headline act, but for a band with only a couple of albums that's forgiveable, and with TWO support bands it was plenty late enough anyway! Wish there'd been time to fit in My Medicine to the setlist.
But what was with the light show? Don't get me wrong, I've no problem with doing something interesting with the lights - but the lighting designer here I think believed it was primarily a light show, with some music to accompany it. More annoyingly, all the lights were on the stage, and facing out into the audience, including some MAJORLY bright strobes.
Surely at least one of the functions of the lights is to enable the audience to see the band? In this case, the audience was mostly blinded by the lights shining straight at them, while the band stood in shadows. Fail.
Still, the packed audience was in a great mood, and enjoyed the show from start to finish, including both support bands.
Speaking of whom, Nothing More were... OK. A bit too much like being just noise, and with experimental bits, for me, but that's just my taste. Top marks for effort, especially the singer, and the cool drum thing in the last song. Heaven's Basement were much more enjoyable, with a hint of pop catchy-ness but the rawness and noise you need, I'll have to check out their recorded stuff.
richard-gosling
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