Rock Drummer Shake-Up: 11 Bands That Changed Their Drumming Lineup in 2025
The music industry has seen a significant number of rock and metal bands replacing their drummers in 2025. Some of these changes were handled discreetly, while others were more public and messy. This year has witnessed the departure of drummers who had served in bands for decades, as well as those with shorter tenures. Let's take a look at 11 rock bands that made changes to their drumming lineup in 2025.
Josh Freese left Foo Fighters in May after a two-year stint, only to rejoin Nine Inch Nails shortly after. This move led to a mutual exchange between the two bands, as Nine Inch Nails' drummer Ilan Rubin also switched to Foo Fighters.
Guns N' Roses bid farewell to Frank Ferrer, their drummer of 19 years, in March. Isaac Carpenter, previously with Duff McKagan's Loaded and Awolnation, took over as the new drummer for the band.
Zak Starkey, the longtime drummer for The Who and son of Ringo Starr, faced a tumultuous month with two dismissals. The band initially let him go after 29 years but later retracted the decision due to communication issues. However, Starkey was ultimately replaced by Scott Devours for the band's final shows.
Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain retired from touring in 2024, prompting the band to recruit Simon Dawson as his successor. Dawson, who had been part of Steve Harris' British Lion, is currently on tour with Iron Maiden.
Oasis' reunion tour in 2025 saw Joey Waronker taking over drumming duties, with neither Zak Starkey nor Chris Sharrock returning. Waronker, known for his work with various artists, including Beck and R.E.M., joined the Gallagher brothers on their tour.
Bob Dylan's 2025 tour featured a change in drummers, with Anton Fig replacing Jim Keltner. Fig, who has an extensive musical background, including collaborations with Joe Bonamassa and Kiss, brought a new dynamic to Dylan's performances.
Primus experienced a sudden departure when Tim "Herb" Alexander left the band in 2024. John "Hoffer" Hoffman, from Dirtfoot, emerged as the chosen replacement after an open audition process. Hoffman made his debut at the Tool in the Sand festival and hinted at a new Primus album.
Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola left Godsmack in 2024 due to a reluctance to tour further. The band commended their contributions and embarked on a European tour with fill-in members, including Will Hunt on drums.
The New Pornographers dismissed drummer Joe Seiders in April following his arrest for possession of child sexual abuse material. The band expressed shock and severed all ties with Seiders, emphasizing their support for those affected by his actions.
Greg Ginn of Black Flag introduced a new lineup this year, featuring Max Zanelly on vocals, David Rodriguez on bass, and Bryce Weston on drums. The band is gearing up for live shows and new music production with a fresh creative energy.
In conclusion, the music scene in 2025 has witnessed several significant changes in drummers across various rock bands, signaling a shift in lineups and dynamics within the industry.