Ilan Rubin is an American musician and drummer, best known for his work with bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Paramore. He has also been involved with other acts like Angels & Airwaves and The New Regime. Rubin is recognised for his versatile drumming style and contributions to alternative and rock music. Throughout his career, he has earned acclaim for his technical skill and dynamic performances.
Recently, Rubin has stepped into one of rock's most renowned bands The Foo Fighters, marking a new chapter amid a series of surprising twists. The drummer replaces Josh Freese, who was let go from the Foo Fighters in May. Rubin's appointment highlights his long-standing reputation as one of the most talented and versatile musicians of his generation. But just what do we know about Ilan Rubin?
Key Facts on Foo Fighters' New Drummer
Born on 7 July 1988 in San Diego, California, Ilan Rubin is a musician known for his exceptional skills on the drums and multiple instruments. He began playing drums at the age of eight, teaching himself after discovering his father's vintage Ludwig kit. By nine, he was performing with local bands, and at just 11, he played at Woodstock '99, making him the youngest musician to perform at that event.
@thehoneymonsta Ilan Rubin! 🤘🏻🤘🏻✌🏻✌🏻 #drumsolo #drummer #ilanrubin #guitarcentral #usa #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #epic
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Now 37, Ilan Rubin and his wife Samantha welcomed their son, Zev Elliott Rubin, in July 2023. He has also publicly acknowledged having a daughter from a relationship outside of his marriage.
Rubin's Career Highlights and Collaborations
Rubin's career skyrocketed early. He replaced Lostprophets' original drummer in 2005, after which he toured extensively in the UK. His talent caught the attention of industry insiders, and he soon joined Nine Inch Nails in 2008. Rubin was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as part of NIN, becoming the youngest inductee ever at 32.
Apart from Nine Inch Nails, Rubin has worked with Angel & Airwaves, Danny Elfman, and Paramore. He played drums on Paramore's platinum album, which featured the hit single 'Ain't It Fun.' He also leads his own project, The New Regime, where he writes, sings, and plays all instruments in the studio.
His work extends beyond performing. Rubin has composed music for films such as Oblivion and The Divergent Series: Insurgent. His scoring efforts earned him a nomination for best original score at the Beaufort International Film Festival for the film Bobcat Moretti. He has also collaborated with artists like Beck, Phantogram, and M83.
He has also put together a book entitled 'Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere,' which is designed to help drummers 'develop a drumming vocabulary of fills and solo ideas,' beginning with 'straightforward concepts.'
The Drummer Swap: From Freese to Rubin and Back
The recent changes began with Josh Freese's departure from the Foo Fighters in May 2023. Freese, who joined the band after the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022, confirmed on Instagram that the band was heading in a different direction. Freese's return to Nine Inch Nails was also confirmed, with the band sharing a celebratory post tagging him and captioned 'let's f*cking go.'
@rollingstoneaus Big news for Foo Fighters fans! Ilan Rubin reportedly steps in as the new drummer, but is it temporary? 🤔 Dive into the details with us and join the conversation! #FooFighters #IlanRubin #MusicNews
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Upcoming Performances and Future Prospects
Fans will see Rubin perform live for the first time with the Foo Fighters on 2 October 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The band has scheduled a series of shows across Asia and Mexico later this year, including dates in Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, and Mexico City. The band's recent release, 'Today's Song,' marks their first new music since 2023, commemorating their 30th anniversary.
The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the band, which has faced significant loss and change in recent years. Dave Grohl, the band's frontman, paid tribute to Hawkins and Freese, emphasising their vital contributions. Rubin's arrival is seen by fans as part of the band's ongoing evolution and resilience.
