Nine Inch Nails / Live Band
Josh Freese
Josh Freese, born December 25, 1972, is an American session and touring drummer. He toured with Nine Inch Nails from 2005 through 2008, performed on Year Zero and The Slip, and returned for Peel It Back in 2025.
- With Nine Inch Nails
- 2005–2008; 2025–present
- Selected work
- The Vandals; Devo; A Perfect Circle; Foo Fighters
Profile
Josh Freese and Nine Inch Nails
- NIN relationship
- Touring drummer and studio contributor
- Documented span
- 2005–2008; 2025–present
- Primary roles
- Drums and percussion
Work with Nine Inch Nails
Freese replaced Alex Carapetis during the fall 2005 arena tour and became the regular drummer for the following theater, amphitheater, and Performance 2007 dates.
His first run included tightly synchronized productions as well as direct rock arrangements, and Beside You in Time preserves that lineup on film.
NIN Timeline
September 2005
Joins Live: With Teeth
Enters the touring lineup during the fall 2005 leg and becomes the regular drummer by the end of the year.
2006
Live ensemble established
Continues through the later Live: With Teeth dates documented by Beside You in Time.
2007
Performance 2007 and Year Zero
Performs on the stripped-back 2007 tour and contributes drums to the Year Zero sessions.
2008
The Slip and Lights in the Sky
Contributes to The Slip and performs through the second North American Lights in the Sky leg before departing.
2009–2024
Work beyond NIN
Continues a broad touring and recording career with major rock and alternative artists.
2025–present
Return for Peel It Back
Rejoins NIN during the Peel It Back tour, restoring one of the project’s most recognized rhythm-section relationships.
Tours and Live Roles
2005–2006
Live: With Teeth
Joins mid-cycle and becomes the regular drummer in the compact five-member ensemble.
2007
Performance 2007
Drives the direct, screen-free performance style used around Year Zero.
2008
Lights in the Sky
Performs within the highly synchronized arena production before leaving near the end of the year.
2025–present
Peel It Back
Returns during the tour and resumes his role in the live ensemble.
Release Contributions
Beside You in Time
Featured drummer in the concert film documenting the Live: With Teeth touring lineup.
Year Zero
Performs drums on Hyperpower! and Capital G.
The Slip
Receives a drum-performance credit during the 2008 recording period.
Notable Performances and Documents
2007
Beside You in Time
The concert film provides the principal official visual document of Freese’s first NIN tenure.
2007
Year Zero
Studio performances connect the touring drummer to the project’s recorded catalog.
2008
Lights in the Sky
The synchronized production demands exact coordination between live drums, electronics, lighting and video.
2025
Peel It Back
Freese’s return brings a drummer from the 2005–2008 lineup back to the current tour.
Selected Work Beyond NIN
The Vandals and Devo
Long-running work with both groups demonstrates the range and speed central to Freese’s playing.
A Perfect Circle
Founding-era drummer and recurring contributor across recordings and tours.
Foo Fighters
Joined the touring and recording lineup during the 2020s before returning to other projects.
Session and touring work
Extensive credits include Guns N’ Roses, Weezer, Sting, Danny Elfman and many other artists.