Josh Freese, renowned drummer for Nine Inch Nails, has built a solid reputation as the go-to percussionist for a plethora of bands. His extensive career features collaborations with iconic artists such as A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, Devo, Sting, Guns N’ Roses, Weezer, and Foo Fighters, totaling his contributions to over 400 albums.
Amid such a prolific output, it’s understandable that some moments might slip through the cracks. Freese humorously addressed this in his latest solo album with the new track titled “I Didn’t Know I Recorded With Avril.” During an interview with MusicRadar, he revealed the anecdote that inspired this song.
Freese recounted his experience working on Avril Lavigne’s debut album, “Let Go,” back in 2002. At that time, Lavigne was an emerging artist, and Freese, unfamiliar with her name, was mostly concerned about billing his time appropriately. “I don’t know what this music is, or who this artist is. And chances are, no one’s going to,” he reflected on his mindset during the recording process.
In a studio session without anyone else present, Freese noted that he quickly laid down drum tracks for several songs. Surprisingly, it wasn’t until eight months later that he learned he had contributed to a record that would achieve significant success. “People were going, ‘Hey man, I saw you’re on that Avril Lavigne record.’ At that point, I knew who she was, because everyone did,” Freese chuckled.
His initial disbelief about his participation in the album turned to astonishment when he confirmed his credit online. This scenario, as Freese noted, has happened multiple times throughout his career, demonstrating the whirlwind nature of working with numerous artists.
As a drummer who has enjoyed a long and varied career, Freese’s story highlights the unpredictability of the music industry and the surprises it can hold, even for seasoned professionals. With a vibrant background and a collaborative spirit, Freese continues to keep music lovers engaged with his contributions while shedding light on the sometimes surreal experiences of a session musician.