Alongside the band’s as-yet untitled seventh full length studio album, due out this spring, the Foo Fighters will be the subject of a new documentary (hey, every band is getting one these days – they’ve replaced videos as ‘the’ hot item).
The rock doc, produced by Spitfire Pictures and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll (The Last Days, Running The Sahara), will chronicle the entire history of the Foos, from the cassette demos leader Dave Grohl recorded during his tenure as Nirvana’s drummer through their ascent to their Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, arena and stadium headlining status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. This chronicling of the Foos' triumphs and tragedies will culminate in an in-depth behind the scenes perspective on the making of the new album: A process in which the band pushed itself forward by going back to basics and recording in Grohl’s garage completely on analog tape.
The album, produced by Butch Vig and mixed by Alan Moulder, was recorded entirely on analog tape in the garage of Grohl’s home in California’s San Fernando Valley. The no computers/no software/flesh, blood and tape-only approach has resulted in arguably the strongest and most cohesive effort of the band’s 15-year-plus career: From the soaring melodies of first single “Walk” to the beautifully bipolar “These Days” to the stunning duet with Bob Mould on “Dear Rosemary,” the record is a singular triumph: a band that’s headlined arenas, stadiums and festivals the world over stripping itself down to the bare essentials – a bunch of friends recording an album to tape in a garage - and coming up with its finest hour.
The new record also marks the Foos’ first full length effort with legendary producer Vig, who produced new tracks “Wheels” and “Word Forward” on 2009’s "Greatest Hits" and with whom Grohl first worked on Nirvana’s classic “Nevermind.” Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselic also makes a cameo, contributing bass and accordion to “I Should Have Known,” while former Nirvana touring guitarist and longtime extended FF family member Pat Smear now joins the permanent FF core of Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett.
The Foos will, naturally, hit the road to bring the new stuff to fans, including the first dates to be announced - the band’s own July 2 & 3 Milton Keynes Bowl headline stint - which blew out all 130,000 tickets within hours of on-sale. The band are also confirmed to headline across the worldwide summer festival circuit, including Washington state’s Sasquatch!, the UK’s Isle of White, Pink Pop in the Netherlands, Germany’s Southside and Hurricane, Oxegen in Ireland, T in the Park in Scotland, Optimus Alive in Portgual, and more to be announced as they are confirmed.
And don’t forget about the fan-friendly contest the band is currently holding, where fans can win the chance to film videos for each of the 11 songs on the new album.
Foo Fighters “This Video Sucks” contest entry deadline is January 31 – winners of each of the 11 videos will be announced February 23. Full details are at thisvideosucks.foofighters.com, and the rules are posted here.
Foo Fighters Foo Fighters – The Last Song
Late Show with David Letterman – June 13, 2005
See also:
Hear new Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters: This Video Sucks contest
Foo Fighters play new songs at secret club show
Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl to appear in Muppets movie
John Paul Jones: “I may gate crash Foo Fighters gigs”
Foo Fighters work with Nirvana producer, bassist on new album
