At a recent Foo Fighters show in New Orleans, Taylor Hawkins started playing “Sunday Rain” before anybody in the band was ready. Dave Grohl sarcastically called out Hawkins before leaving the stage to take a break.
Grohl said, “Usually the drum solo is like 37 minutes long. I get to have a drink of Jaegermeister, a little bit of water.”
Hawkins said, “Sorry.”
Grohl added, “You didn’t even use the kettle drum tonight. Cool, I’m going to go do a shot right now.”
The Advocate wrote in a review:
And this week, the Foo Fighters once again found themselves getting up close and personal with fans in New Orleans, this time at the packed, 2,200-capacity Fillmore.
They plunged right in with four hits in quick succession: “All My Life,” “Times Like These,” “Learn to Fly” and “The Pretender.” These weren’t rote recitals; both “Learn to Fly” and “The Pretender” boasted extended instrumental breakdowns and/or codas, even as they retained their arena-sized riffs and hooks.
With three electric guitars out front, a stout rhythm section and a keyboardist whose contributions were often buried in the mix, the Foo Fighters mostly stuck to one gear, detonating bombs-away hooks and choruses that demanded volume. The volume was cranked high on Wednesday, as well as the enthusiasm level of Grohl and Hawkins.
Grohl is the most approachable of rock stars, a gregarious, witty guy who worked hard to place himself in not one but two enormously successful bands. His screams, exhortations and riffs are the Foo Fighters’ fuel.
