Rock Drummer Lineup Changes: A Look at Recent Band Drummer Swaps and Additions
Matt Laug, known for his drumming on Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, joined AC/DC as their drummer for the Power Trip festival in 2023 and continued with them on their subsequent tours in 2024 and 2025.
Ilan Rubin, who previously drummed for Nine Inch Nails for 16 years, recently joined the Foo Fighters, making his debut at a surprise show in San Luis Obispo, California, as part of the 2025 Foo-Fighters-Nine-Inch-Nails-Drummer-Switcharoo.
Isaac Carpenter, a rock drummer since the mid-1990s, became the drummer for Guns N' Roses after the departure of Frank Ferrer earlier this year, following his stints with bands like Loudermilk and AWOLNATION.
Josh Freese, a versatile drummer who has played with numerous bands, including the Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails, recently rejoined Nine Inch Nails after a brief stint with the Foo Fighters.
Simon Dawson, known for his work with The Outfield and British Lion, stepped in as the drummer for Iron Maiden after Nicko McBrain's retirement from touring in late 2024.
Scott Devours, who has played with bands like Oleander and IMA Robot, returned to drum for The Who after Zak Starkey's departure in 2025, due to a "dropped beat" incident during a London show.
Joey Waronker, a seasoned drummer with an impressive resume, joined Oasis for their reunion tour, showcasing his drumming skills with the band.
John Hoffman, a relatively unknown drummer, won the audition to become the new drummer for Primus after Tim Alexander's abrupt departure in late 2024.
Anton Fig, known for his work on David Letterman's late-night shows, replaced Jim Keltner as Bob Dylan's touring drummer for his 2025 spring tour, bringing a fresh rhythm section to the stage.