Foo Fighters

US hard rock group. It was formed in 1994 by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl (1969– ). Like Nirvana, Foo Fighters combine loud, abrasive guitars with the hooks and dynamics of classic pop, inspired by punk. Nirvana's influence was most apparent on Foo Fighters' debut, self-titled album, released in 1995, virtually independently written and performed by Grohl. Other albums revealed a more original sound and include The Color and the Shape (1997), There is Nothing Left to Lose (1999), and One by One (2002), which earned Foo Fighters the 2004 Grammy for Best Rock Album.

The group started with Grohl on guitar and vocals, Pat Smear (1959– ) on guitar, Nate Mendel (1968– ) on bass, and William Goldsmith (1972– ) on drums. Goldsmith left the band while recording their second album and was replaced by Taylor Hawkins (1972– ). Smear left the band after releasing their second album and was replaced by Franz Stahl (1962– ), who left in 1999, replaced by Chris Shiflett (1971– ).

Grohl was a member of the Washington, DC-based punk band Scream during the late 1980s. He began recording his own material, and much of this was used as the basis for Foo Fighters' first album. While a member of Foo Fighters he composed and performed the soundtrack for the film Touch (1997) and collaborated with the hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age. Other Foo Fighters hit singles include ‘This is a Call’ (1995), ‘Everlong’ (1997), ‘My Hero’ (1998), and ‘Learn to Fly’ (1999).