Foo Fighters

Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994 left the rock world in shock. To his eternal credit, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl pulled himself together smartly to create a platform for his own considerable talents: Foo Fighters – named after the US military’s nickname for fighter planes dispatched to investigate UFO sightings.

Their eponymous debut album (1995) was a tonic for forlorn grunge-pop fans, and a splendid vehicle to display Grohl’s skills.

It was an instant success, with radio-friendly hits like This Is A Call. Stardom beckoned.

Indeed, what appears a group endeavour was actually a solo project: Grohl composed the whole album, provided vocals, bass, guitars, and drums, and recorded it in one week.

The formula of soft verse/loud dynamic chorus (a Nirvana legacy) was incorporated neatly on much of the album, especially in I’ll Stick Around and For All The Cows.

The aptly-named closer, Exhausted, leaves the listener fatigued but not bored, and certainly up for more of the same.

Drummer Taylor Hawkins died on 25 March 2022 while on tour with the band. He was just 50.

Dave Grohl
Vocals, guitar
Chris Shiflett
Guitar
Pat Smear
Guitar
Nate Mendel
Bass
Taylor Hawkins
Drums
William Goldsmith
Drums
Franz Stahl
Guitar