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Artist of the Month: Foo Fighters

June 1, 2017

As Foo Fighters prepare to headline one of the biggest stages of them all, we’re proud to crown Dave Grohl and co our Artist of the Month for June.

Though his detractors may have referred to him as the “grunge Ringo”, it’s doubtful that even Dave Grohl’s closest supporters would have imagined that Foo Fighters would’ve made it beyond a couple of albums, let alone go on to be one of the biggest bands on the planet.

One suspects that that was never the objective; what was important was to start making music again in the aftermath of Kurt Cobain’s untimely passing.

Indeed, as the big top at the back of the arena at the 1995 Reading Festival filled to bursting point, who’d have thought that the former drummer of one of the most important bands of the ’90s could have achieved that?

Of course, “former drummer” really does sound like faint praise until you stop and consider the quality and the power of that drumming. And when you stop and consider that just about everything on Foo Fighters’ eponymous debut was played and sung by Grohl singlehandedly, then everything stops for a moment.

And then starts again with an almighty roar when you reflect on the awesome talent driving it all on.

But it’s important to remember that Foo Fighters are more than just one member – Grohl was not only canny but principled enough to realise that more often than not, a band will go so much further than one artist on their own.

And while it may have taken longer than expected for the main players to finally find each other, gel and scale new heights, the Foos were always a band that worked and created together.

As displayed by a string of increasingly successful albums, Foo Fighters possess that rare touch; a singular approach that harnesses the fury of punk rock, the melodicism of classic rock and genuinely welcoming warmth that’s all-inclusive.

Foo Fighters are a band you can believe in; a band that won’t let you down and a band that delivers the goods, be it on record, in the concert hall or the festival field.

Indeed, what other bands interact with their fans in the way Foo Fighters do? Who else invites members of their audience to get up and sing and play with them?

You might think you know Foo Fighters but only they retain that element of surprise that means that not only is there a very good chance of there being a guest appearance on any given night, but also that that guest star might be you.

The same work ethic and sense of fun applies to their videos. These aren’t just tossed off clips designed to promote their wares but compact and hugely enjoyable nuggets that are every bit as important as the albums that they’re taken from.

Excitement, humour and humanity are all present and correct, and they all add up to a complete package that encompasses songwriting chops, mastery of the studio, visual presentation and the communion of the live experience.

Which brings us neatly to one of the most anticipated events of the decade as Foo Fighters ready themselves to headline the famed Pyramid Stage at this year’s Glastonbury festival.

You can picture the scene in that field now: the flags, the crowds, the noise, that nervous stamping that moves from foot to foot followed by that incredible release of energy the moment Foo Fighters hit that first chord.

And you just know that Foo Fighters will play will one of your favourites because let’s face it – they’re all your favourites.

Each and every one of them.

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