Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters performing in November 2007.
Background information
Origin	Seattle, Washington, USA
Genre(s)	Alternative rock Post-grunge
Years active	1995—present
Label(s)	RCA Capitol
Associated acts	Nirvana Sunny Day Real Estate Scream
Website	www.foofighters.com
Members
Dave Grohl Nate Mendel Taylor Hawkins Chris Shiflett
Former members
William Goldsmith Pat Smear Franz Stahl

Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band formed by singer/guitarist Dave Grohl in 1995. Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of Post-grunge is a subgenre of Alternative rock that emerged in the early 1990s as a derivative of Grunge music. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music RCA Corporation, founded as Radio Corporation of America, was an electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986 Capitol Records is a major United States -based Record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood California and New York City as Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. Sunny Day Real Estate was an Indie rock band formed in Seattle Washington. Scream was a Hardcore punk band from Washington DC active from 1981 to 1990. David Eric Grohl (born January 14 1969 is an American rock musician Singer and Songwriter. Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel (born December 2, 1968 in Richland Washington) is the bassist in the band Foo Fighters Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born on February 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician best known as the drummer of Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 1971) in Santa Barbara California is best known as the lead guitarist for the William Goldsmith (b July 4, 1972) is an American drummer best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Emo band Sunny Day Real Estate Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres Franz Stahl (born October 30 1962 was the Guitarist of the Washington DC Hardcore punk band Scream. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of David Eric Grohl (born January 14 1969 is an American rock musician Singer and Songwriter. ^[1] Grohl formed the group as a one-man project after the dissolution of his previous band Nirvana in 1994. Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. Prior to the release of Foo Fighters in 1995, Grohl drafted Nate Mendel (bass), William Goldsmith (drums), and Pat Smear (guitar) to complete the group. Foo Fighters is the debut album by the Foo Fighters, recorded entirely by frontman Dave Grohl. Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel (born December 2, 1968 in Richland Washington) is the bassist in the band Foo Fighters William Goldsmith (b July 4, 1972) is an American drummer best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Emo band Sunny Day Real Estate Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres Goldsmith and Smear left after the recording of the group's second album The Colour and the Shape (1997). The Colour and the Shape is the Foo Fighters ' second album It was released May 20 They were replaced by Taylor Hawkins and Franz Stahl, respectively, although Stahl left prior to the recording of the group's third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999). Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born on February 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician best known as the drummer of Franz Stahl (born October 30 1962 was the Guitarist of the Washington DC Hardcore punk band Scream. There Is Nothing Left to Lose is the third studio album by the Foo Fighters, released November 2 1999.

Chris Shiflett joined as the band's second guitarist after the completion of There is Nothing Left to Lose. Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 1971) in Santa Barbara California is best known as the lead guitarist for the The band released its fourth album One by One in 2002. One by One is the fourth Album by the Foo Fighters, released in 2002. The group followed that release with the two-disc In Your Honor (2005), which was split between acoustic songs and harder-rocking material. In Your Honor is the fifth Album by the rock band Foo Fighters, released on June 14, 2005. Foo Fighters released its sixth album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace in 2007. Echoes Silence Patience & Grace is the sixth studio album by the Foo Fighters, released on September 25, 2007. Over the course of the band's career, three of its albums have won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album, and all six have been nominated for Grammys. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Grammy Award for Best Rock Album has been awarded since 1995. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

History

Formation and debut album

Dave Grohl joined the Aberdeen, Washington grunge band Nirvana as the group's drummer in 1990. Aberdeen (ˈæbɚdiːn is a city in Grays Harbor County Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884 Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. In order to occupy himself during tours, he took a guitar with him and wrote songs. Grohl held back these songs from the band; he said in 1997, "I was in awe of [frontman Kurt Cobain's] songs. Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20 1967 – c April 5 1994 was an American musician who served as lead singer, Guitarist, and songwriter for the Seattle And intimidated. I thought it was best that I keep my songs to myself. "^[2] Instead, Grohl occasionally booked studio time to record demos, and even issued a cassette of some of those songs called Pocketwatch under the pseudonym "Late!" in 1992. Pocketwatch is a music cassette released by Dave Grohl, under the pseudonym Late!, released in 1992 on the now defunct indie label Simple Machines ^[3]

Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home on April 8, 1994, and Nirvana subsequently disbanded. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Devastated, Grohl considered entering college, getting a regular job, and at some points giving up music altogether. Grohl received offers to work with various artists, and almost accepted a permanent position as the drummer in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are an American rock band formed in 1975 by Tom Petty Ultimately Grohl declined and instead entered a studio in October 1994 to record twelve of the forty songs he had written. ^[3] With the exception of a guitar part on "X-Static" by Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs, Grohl played every instrument and sang every vocal on the tracks. Greg Dulli (born May 11 1965) is an American rock Singer and Instrumentalist. The Afghan Whigs were a soul -influenced American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. ^[1] "I was supposed to just join another band and be a drummer the rest of my life," Grohl later said. "I thought that I would rather do what no-one expected me to do. I enjoy writing music and I enjoy trying to sing, and there's nothing anyone can really do to discourage me. " Grohl completed an album's worth of material in five days and handed out cassette copies of the sessions to his friends for feedback. ^[3]

Nate Mendel.

Grohl hoped to keep his anonymity and release the recordings in a limited run under the title "Foo Fighters", taken from the World War II term "foo fighter", used to refer to unidentified flying objects. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The term foo fighter was used by Allied Aircraft pilots in World War II to describe various UFOs or mysterious aerial Phenomena ^[3] However, the demo tape circulated in the music industry, creating interest among record labels. ^[4] Grohl formed a band to support the album. Initially, Grohl talked to former Nirvana band mate Krist Novoselic about joining the group, but both decided against it. Krist Anthony Novoselic II (born May 16, 1965) is an American rock musician best known as the Bassist for Nirvana. "For Krist and I, it would have felt really natural and really great", Grohl explained. "But for everyone else, it would have been weird, and it would have left me in a really bad position. Then I really would have been under the microscope. "^[5] Having heard about the disbanding of Seattle-based emo band Sunny Day Real Estate, Grohl drafted the group's bass player, Nate Mendel, and drummer, William Goldsmith. Emo (ˈiːmoʊ is a genre of music that originated from Hardcore punk early on and adopted Pop-punk influences later on in the 2000s when Sunny Day Real Estate was an Indie rock band formed in Seattle Washington. Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel (born December 2, 1968 in Richland Washington) is the bassist in the band Foo Fighters William Goldsmith (b July 4, 1972) is an American drummer best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Emo band Sunny Day Real Estate Grohl asked Pat Smear, who served touring guitarist for Nirvana after the release of its 1993 album In Utero, to join as the group's second guitarist. Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres For the Nirvana album see In Utero. In utero is a Latin term literally meaning "in the Uterus " ^[6] Grohl ultimately licensed the album to Capitol Records, releasing it on his new record label, Roswell Records. Capitol Records is a major United States -based Record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood California and New York City as ^[3]

The group played its debut show at a keg party in February 1995. Grohl refused to do interviews or tour large venues to promote the album. ^[6] Foo Fighters undertook their first major tour in the spring of 1995, opening for Mike Watt. Michael David Watt (born December 20, 1957 in Portsmouth Virginia) is an American Bass guitarist singer and Songwriter. The band's first single "This Is a Call" was released in June 1995,^[1] and its debut album Foo Fighters was released the next month. " This Is a Call " is the first major single released by Foo Fighters from their self-titled debut album. Foo Fighters is the debut album by the Foo Fighters, recorded entirely by frontman Dave Grohl. "I'll Stick Around", "For All The Cows" and "Big Me" were released as subsequent singles. " I'll Stick Around " is the third single released by the Foo Fighters from their self titled debut album Foo Fighters. " For All the Cows " is the fourth single released by the Foo Fighters from their self titled debut album Foo Fighters. " Big Me " is the fifth single released in 1996 by the Foo Fighters from their self-titled debut album Foo Fighters. The band spent the following months on tour, including their first appearance at the Reading Festival in England in August. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland ^[6]

The Colour and the Shape

Taylor Hawkins replaced original drummer William Goldsmith in 1997

After touring through the spring of 1996, Foo Fighters entered a studio in Woodinville, Washington with producer Gil Norton to record its second album. Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born on February 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician best known as the drummer of William Goldsmith (b July 4, 1972) is an American drummer best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Emo band Sunny Day Real Estate Woodinville is a city located in King County Washington. As of the 2000 census the city had a total population of 9194 Gil Norton is a British Record producer known for his work with such bands as Pixies, Echo and the Bunnymen, Foo Fighters, While Grohl once again wrote all the songs, the rest of the band collaborated on the arrangements. With the sessions nearly complete, Grohl took the rough mixes with him to Los Angeles, intending to finish up his vocal and guitar parts. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West While there, Grohl realized that he wasn't happy with how the mixes were turning out, and the band "basically re-recorded almost everything". ^[2] During the L. A. sessions, Grohl played drums on some of the songs. Goldsmith said Grohl did not tell him that he recorded new drum parts for the record and, feeling betrayed, left the band. ^[7]

In need of a replacement for Goldsmith, Grohl contacted Alanis Morissette's touring drummer Taylor Hawkins to see if he could recommend anybody. Alanis Nadine Morissette (born June 1 1974 is a Canadian-born Singer-songwriter, Record producer, and Actress. Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born on February 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician best known as the drummer of Grohl was surprised when Hawkins volunteered his own services as drummer. ^[2] Hawkins made his debut with the group in time for the release of its second album, The Colour and the Shape, in May 1997. The Colour and the Shape is the Foo Fighters ' second album It was released May 20 The album spawned the singles "Monkey Wrench", "My Hero", and "Everlong". " Monkey Wrench " is the first single released from the second Foo Fighters album The Colour and the Shape. " My Hero " is the third single from the Foo Fighters ' second album The Colour and the Shape. " Everlong " is the second single released from the Foo Fighters ' second album The Colour and the Shape, released in 1997

Pat Smear announced to the rest of the group that he wanted to leave the band to pursue other interests. Four months later in September 1997 at the MTV Video Music Awards, Smear simultaneously publicly announced his departure from the band and introduced his replacement, Grohl's former Scream bandmate Franz Stahl. The MTV Video Music Awards were established in the end of the summer of 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top Music videos of the year Scream was a Hardcore punk band from Washington DC active from 1981 to 1990. Franz Stahl (born October 30 1962 was the Guitarist of the Washington DC Hardcore punk band Scream. ^[8] Stahl toured with the band for the next few months, and appeared on two tracks that the band recorded for movie soundtracks, a re-recording of "Walking After You" for The X-Files and "A320" for Godzilla. " Walking After You " is a 1998 single from the soundtrack album to the X Files movie The X-Files is a 1998 Science fiction film based on the television series of the same name. Godzilla is a 1998 American Science fiction film directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Matthew Broderick,

There Is Nothing Left to Lose

In 1998, Foo Fighters traveled to Grohl's home state of Virginia to write music for its third album. However, Grohl and Stahl were unable to co-operate as songwriters; Grohl told Kerrang! in 1999, "in those few weeks it just seemed like the three of us were moving in one direction and Franz wasn't". Kerrang! is a weekly rock Magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media in the United Kingdom. Grohl was distraught about the decision to fire Stahl, as the two had been friends since childhood. ^[9] The remaining trio of Grohl, Mendel, and Hawkins spent the next several months recording the band's third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose, in Grohl's Virgina home studio. There Is Nothing Left to Lose is the third studio album by the Foo Fighters, released November 2 1999. The album spawned several singles, including "Learn to Fly", the band's first single to reach the US Hot 100. " Learn to Fly " is the first single from the Foo Fighters ' third album There Is Nothing Left to Lose.

Before the release of the album, Capitol president Gary Gersh was forced out of the label. Given Grohl's history with Gersh, Foo Fighters' contract had included a "key man clause" that allowed them to leave the label upon Gersh's departure. They subsequently left Capitol and signed to RCA, who later acquired the rights to the band's Capitol albums. RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. ^[9]

Chris Shiflett joined Foo Fighters as a touring guitarist before becoming a full member

After recording was completed, the band auditioned a number of potential guitarists, and eventually settled on Chris Shiflett, who previously performed with No Use for a Name and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 1971) in Santa Barbara California is best known as the lead guitarist for the Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 1971) in Santa Barbara California is best known as the lead guitarist for the No Use for a Name (sometimes abbreviated NUFAN) is a Punk rock band from San Jose California, United States formed in 1987 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a Punk rock supergroup and Cover band that formed in 1995 Shiflett initially joined the band as touring guitarist, but achieved full-time status prior to the recording of the group's fourth album.

That same year, Foo Fighters established a relationship with rock band Queen, of whom the band (particularly Grohl and Hawkins) are fans. Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Guitarist Brian May added a guitar track to Foo Fighters' second cover of Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar", which appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Mission Impossible 2. Brian Harold May, CBE Pink Floyd are " Have a Cigar " is the third track on Pink Floyd 's 1975 Album Wish You Were Here. Mission Impossible II, or MI-2 as it is also known is a 2000 film directed by John Woo and starring Tom Cruise, When Queen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001, Grohl and Hawkins were invited to perform with the band on "Tie Your Mother Down", with Grohl filling in on vocals for the late Freddie Mercury. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States "Tie Your Mother Down" is a riff-driven rock song by Queen, written by Guitarist Brian May and featuring one of Rock music Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991 was a Zanzibar -born British Musician, best known as the lead In 2002, guitarist May contributed guitar work to "Tired of You" and an outtake called "Knucklehead". The bands have performed together on several occasions since, including VH1 Rock Honors and Foo Fighters' headlining concert in Hyde Park. The VH1 Rock Honors are an annual ceremony that pays homage to bands who influenced the sound of Rock music. Hyde Park is one of the largest Parks in central London, England and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner

One by One

Near the end of 2001, the band reconvened to record their fourth album. After spending four months in a Los Angeles studio completing the album, Grohl spent some time helping Queens of the Stone Age complete their 2002 album Songs for the Deaf. Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) are a rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States Songs for the Deaf is the third Studio album by American Hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age. Once the Queens of the Stone Age album was finished, Grohl, inspired by the sessions, decided to reconvene Foo Fighters to rework a few songs on their album. Instead, they re-recorded nearly all of the album (save "Tired of You") in a ten-day stretch at Grohl's studio in Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The final album was released in October of 2002 under the title One by One. One by One is the fourth Album by the Foo Fighters, released in 2002. Singles from the album included "All My Life", "Times Like These", "Low", and "Have It All". " All My Life " is a song by the American hard rock band Foo Fighters, released as the first single from their fourth album One By One " Have It All " was the fourth and final single to be released off the Foo Fighters ' fourth album One By One. The band later expressed displeasure with the album. ^[10] Grohl told Rolling Stone in 2005, "Four of the songs were good, and the other seven I never played again in my life. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published We rushed into it, and we rushed out of it. "^[11]

For most of its history, the band chose to stay away from the political realm. However, in 2004, upon learning that George W. Bush's presidential campaign was using "Times Like These" at rallies, Grohl decided to lend his public support to John Kerry's campaign. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. } John Forbes Kerry (born December 11 1943 is an American Politician who is currently serving his fourth term as the junior United States Senator Grohl attended several Kerry rallies and occasionally performed solo acoustic sets. The entire band eventually joined Grohl for a performance in Arizona coinciding with one of the presidential debates. During presidential elections in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates

In Your Honor and acoustic tour

Foo Fighters performing an acoustic show

Having spent a year and a half touring behind One By One, Grohl did not want to rush into recording another Foo Fighters record. Initially Grohl intended to write acoustic material by himself, but eventually the project involved the entire band. ^[12] To record its fifth album, the band shifted to Los Angeles and built a recording studio, dubbed Studio 606 West. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Grohl insisted that the album be divided into two discs–one full of rock songs, the other featuring acoustic tracks. ^[10] In Your Honor was released in June 2005. In Your Honor is the fifth Album by the rock band Foo Fighters, released on June 14, 2005. The album's singles included "Best of You", "DOA", "Resolve", "No Way Back", and "Miracle". " Best of You " is a song by American hard rock band Foo Fighters, and the first single released from the band's fifth studio album In Your " DOA " is the second song released as a single from the Foo Fighters ' fifth album In Your Honor. " Resolve " is the third single from the Foo Fighters album In Your Honor. " No Way Back " is part of the fourth single released from the Foo Fighters ' fifth album In Your Honor.

On June 17, 2006, Foo Fighters performed their largest non-festival headlining concert to date at London's Hyde Park. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Hyde Park is one of the largest Parks in central London, England and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner The band was supported by Juliette and the Licks, Angels & Airwaves, Queens of the Stone Age, and Motörhead. Juliette and the Licks is an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Angels & Airwaves (also known as "AVA" is an Alternative rock group fronted by former Blink-182 and Box Car Racer guitarist/vocalist Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) are a rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States Motörhead's Lemmy joined the band on stage to sing "Shake Your Blood" from Dave Grohl's Probot album. Lemmy (born Ian Fraser Kilmister, December 24 1945) also known as Lemmy Kilmister, Ian Willis or Lemmy von Motörhead Probot is a musical project by former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighters lead-singer Dave Grohl. Also, as a surprise performance, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen jammed with Foo Fighters, playing part of "We Will Rock You" as a lead into "Tie Your Mother Down". Brian Harold May, CBE Roger Taylor (born Roger Meddows-Taylor on July 26, 1949 in Dersingham, Norfolk later moved to Kings Lynn is an English Musician Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist

In further support of In Your Honor, the band decided to organize a short acoustic tour for the summer of 2006. The tour included former member Pat Smear, who rejoined the band as an extra guitarist, Petra Haden on violin and backup vocals, Drew Hester on percussion, and Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers on keyboards/piano. Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres Petra Haden (born October 11, 1971 in New York City) is an American Violinist and Singer. Drew Hester (born August 1969 is a Drummer / Percussionist who has worked with Joe Walsh (1999-present Jewel (2006-2007 Foo Fighters Rami Jaffee, born March 11, 1969, in Los Angeles, is best known as the keyboardist for several bands and artists including The Wallflowers The Wallflowers are a Grammy Award -winning rock band from Los Angeles California. While much of the setlist focused on In Your Honor's acoustic half, the band also used the opportunity to play lesser-known songs such as "Ain't It The Life", "Floaty", and "See You". The band also performed "Marigold", a Pocketwatch-era song that was best-known as a Nirvana B-side.

In November 2006, the band released their first ever live CD, Skin and Bones, featuring fifteen performances captured over a three-night stand in Los Angeles. Skin and Bones is a live acoustic Album by the Foo Fighters released on November 7, 2006. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West An accompanying DVD was released, and featured tracks not available on the CD.

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

For the followup to In Your Honor, the band decided to call in The Colour and the Shape producer Gil Norton. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace was released in September 2007. Echoes Silence Patience & Grace is the sixth studio album by the Foo Fighters, released on September 25, 2007. The album's first single, "The Pretender", was issued to radio in early August. " The Pretender " is the first single from the Foo Fighters ' 2007 album Echoes Silence Patience & Grace. The second single, "Long Road to Ruin", was released in December 2007, supported by a music video directed by longtime collaborator Jesse Peretz. " Long Road to Ruin " is the second single from the Foo Fighters ' sixth studio album Echoes Silence Patience & Grace (2007 Jesse Peretz (born 1968) is an American bass player and Grammy Award winning (for the Foo Fighters' " Learn to Fly " video director.

Not long after completing the recording sessions for the album, the band participated in Live Earth at Wembley Stadium in London, England, performing the penultimate set of the night. Live Earth is an annual event developed to to combat climate change. Wembley Stadium is a Stadium in Wembley, located in the London Borough of Brent in London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Later that summer, the band headlined V Festival 2007, including a surprise acoustic set on the Channel 4 stage under the name 606. The V Festival is an annual music festival in England, the first to be held simultaneously at two sites - currently Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began In October 2007, Foo Fighters started their world tour in support for Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. The band will perform shows in throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The band will finish its world tour in September, in Canada at the Virgin Festival held at Toronto Island Park. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Virgin Festival (known from 2008 as the Virgin Mobile Festival in the United States) is a Rock festival held in the United States and

Musical style

When Grohl first started the band, its music was often compared to that of his previous group, Nirvana. Grohl acknowledged that Nirvana singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain was a major influence on his songwriting. Grohl said, "Through Kurt, I saw the beauty of minimalism and the importance of music that's stripped down. " Foo Fighters also utilize Nirvana's technique of shifting between quiet verses and loud chorus, which Grohl said was influenced by the members of Nirvana "liking the Knack, Bay City Rollers, Beatles, and Abba as much as we liked Flipper and Black Flag, I suppose". The Knack are a Los Angeles -based rock band that rose to fame with their first single " My Sharona " an international hit in 1979 (see The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish Pop/rock band of the 1970s The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Flipper is an influential punk band formed in San Francisco, California in 1979 continuing in often erratic fashion until the mid-1990s then reuniting Black Flag was a Hardcore punk band formed in 1977 in southern California, largely as the brainchild of Greg Ginn: the guitarist ^[2] Writing and recording songs for the first Foo Fighters album by himself, Grohl wrote the guitar riffs to be as rhythmic as possible. He approached the guitar similar to how he approached playing a drumkit, assigning different drum parts to different strings on the instrument. This allowed him to piece together songs easily; he said, "I could hear the song in my head before it was finished. "^[3] Once Grohl assembled a full band, his bandmates assisted in song arrangements. ^[2]

The members of Foo Fighters meld melodic elements with harder sounds. Grohl noted in 1997, "We all love music, whether it's the Beatles or Queen or punk rock. Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist I think the lure of punk rock was the energy and immediacy; the need to thrash stuff around. But at the same time, we're all suckers for a beautiful melody, you know? So it is just natural. "^[2]

Campaigning and activism

In 2000, the band generated controversy through their public support of Alive & Well, an organization that denies the link between HIV and AIDS, questions the validity of HIV tests, and advises against taking medication to counter the disease. Alive & Well AIDS Alternatives is a 501(c Non-profit organization of AIDS denialists (people who deny that HIV is the cause of AIDS AIDS denialism refers to the views of a loosely connected group of individuals and organizations who deny that the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV is the cause of acquired Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ^[13] Foo Fighter bassist Nate Mendel learned of Alive & Well through What If Everything You Thought You Knew about AIDS Was Wrong?, a self-published book written by Christine Maggiore, the organization's founder. Christine Maggiore (born 1957 is an HIV-positive She is the author and self-publisher of the book "What If Everything You Thought You Knew about AIDS Was Wrong?" Mendel passed the book around to the rest of the band, who supported his advocacy. ^[13]

In January 2000, the band played a benefit concert for the organization, which Mendel helped to organize. ^[13] The band also contributed songs to The Other Side of AIDS, a controversial documentary film by Maggiore's husband Robin Scovill, which questions whether HIV is the cause of AIDS. Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt in one fashion or another to " Document " reality ^[14] The band's position caused alarm in the medical community, as Alive & Well's advice ran contrary to established medical wisdom about HIV and AIDS. ^[13][14] In a 2000 interview, Mendel spoke of using Foo Fighters' popularity to help spread the group's message and of holding more benefits for the organization. ^[13] However, no further benefits have taken place, and the band has since removed the organization from its list of supported causes.

Members

• Dave Grohl - vocals, guitar
• Taylor Hawkins - drums, percussion, vocals (1997-present)
• Nate Mendel - bass guitar (1995-present)
• Chris Shiflett - guitar, vocals (1999-present)

Former members

• William Goldsmith - drums, percussion (1995-1997)
• Pat Smear - guitar, vocals (1995-1997)
• Franz Stahl - guitar, vocals (1997-1999)

Touring members

• Pat Smear - guitar (2006-present)
• Drew Hester - percussion (2006-present)
• Rami Jaffee - keyboards, piano, accordion (2006-present)
• Jessy Greene - cello, violin, backing vocals (2007-present)

Former touring members

• Petra Haden - violin, backing vocals (2006-2007)

Discography

Main article: Foo Fighters discography

• Foo Fighters (1995)
• The Colour and the Shape (1997)
• There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999)
• One by One (2002)
• In Your Honor (2005)
• Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)

Awards

Main article: List of Foo Fighters awards

Foo Fighters first received Grammy Awards for their music video for "Monkey Wrench" in 1997, and have won six in total since. David Eric Grohl (born January 14 1969 is an American rock musician Singer and Songwriter. The lead vocalist (or lead singer) is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song Rhythm guitar is the use of a Guitar to provide Rhythmic chordal Accompaniment for a singer or other instruments in a Musical ensemble Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born on February 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician best known as the drummer of A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells A backing vocalist or backing singer (or especially in the US Nathan Gregor "Nate" Mendel (born December 2, 1968 in Richland Washington) is the bassist in the band Foo Fighters The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 1971) in Santa Barbara California is best known as the lead guitarist for the Lead guitar refers to the use of a Guitar to perform Melody lines instrumental fill passages, and Guitar solos within a song structure A backing vocalist or backing singer (or especially in the US William Goldsmith (b July 4, 1972) is an American drummer best known for being the drummer of the popular Seattle Emo band Sunny Day Real Estate Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres Franz Stahl (born October 30 1962 was the Guitarist of the Washington DC Hardcore punk band Scream. Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is a musician who has been a regular member of several well-known bands albeit of different subgenres Drew Hester (born August 1969 is a Drummer / Percussionist who has worked with Joe Walsh (1999-present Jewel (2006-2007 Foo Fighters Rami Jaffee, born March 11, 1969, in Los Angeles, is best known as the keyboardist for several bands and artists including The Wallflowers Jessy Greene is a Violin, Cello, and vocal musician She has released two albums Blue Sky (2002 and A Demon & Her Lovers (2006 Petra Haden (born October 11, 1971 in New York City) is an American Violinist and Singer. The discography of Foo Fighters, an American Alternative rock band formed in 1995 by Dave Grohl, consists of six Studio albums two Extended Foo Fighters is the debut album by the Foo Fighters, recorded entirely by frontman Dave Grohl. The Colour and the Shape is the Foo Fighters ' second album It was released May 20 There Is Nothing Left to Lose is the third studio album by the Foo Fighters, released November 2 1999. One by One is the fourth Album by the Foo Fighters, released in 2002. In Your Honor is the fifth Album by the rock band Foo Fighters, released on June 14, 2005. Echoes Silence Patience & Grace is the sixth studio album by the Foo Fighters, released on September 25, 2007. Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the United States The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The monkey wrench or in the UK "Adjustable Spanner" is an adjustable Wrench, which is rarely used today ^[15]

References

See also

• List of alternative rock artists
• Beaconsfield mine collapse

External links

• Foo Fighters' official web site
• Foo Fighters at MySpace