Won’t Get Foo-led Again: How Foo Fighters Annihilated Shitty Journalism

If the Internet taught us anything yesterday, it’s that rumours, unnamed sources and off-the-cuff interview remarks regarding something as significant as a major rock band fragmenting, taking a break, or splitting up entirely, can mean absolutely nothing. In one, 7+ minute video salvo, Foo Fighters made a lot of music journalists look like headline chasing, fact ignoring, page view hounds hoping to capitalize on fans’ emotions. And, shame on them.

We here at Riffyou.com followed the headlines regarding the supposed unknown future of Foo Fighters. And, as momentarily tempted as we were to jump into the rumour mill, we didn’t. Simply put, there was not enough concrete information out there to unequivocally say ‘Dave Grohl is going solo,’ ‘Foo Fighters are breaking up,’ or ‘Foo Fighters are going on an indefinite hiatus.’

This morning we awoke feeling vindicated by this decision, thanks to a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek video in which Foo Fighters dispelled any notion that they were calling it quits, or at all pissed with one another. We all knew a Foo Fighters announcement was coming last night, but surely, very few could’ve seen this one coming.

The video (which can be viewed at the bottom of this article) begins by showing screen grabs of the rumour-filled articles, as well as a snippet of a recent Taylor Hawkins interview in which he suggested the band would go on hiatus. From there, Grohl and producer Butch Vig humorously discuss a potential solo career, before the Foo Fighters frontman tries and fails to come up with a cool new sound. Meanwhile, his fellow Foo Fighters meet with the goal of recruiting a new vocalist – enter former pop star, Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees fame.

When the screen goes black, viewers are greeted by the following message: “For the millionth time, we’re not breaking up. And nobody’s going fucking solo!”

We suspect if the hugely sarcastic video didn’t dispel the rumors presented as fact, this message should’ve done the trick.

Of course, we can see why several reputable music publications ran with the speculation: writing about Foo Fighters is great for business. Some of our widest-reaching stories are Foo Fighters related, largely because the band has such a rabid, dedicated and awesome fan base. Surely, Riffyou.com isn’t the only place that experiences page view bumps with Foo Fighters stories, which is largely why you saw the big collection of speculative headlines and articles yesterday that presented theories as fact.

Yes, Foo Fighters teased a serious looking band announcement for nearly 24 hours. Yes, there was a video of Taylor Hawkins talking about a hiatus. Yes, Dave Grohl performed solo during the In Memoriam segment of this past weekend’s Academy Awards.

Know what was missing?

Actual fact. It’s one thing to report about a major band announcement coming. It’s another to tell people that the announcement will definitely, without a doubt, mean said band is breaking up or going on an indefinite hiatus. It may be old school for us to think this way, but there was a time when getting a story right was more important than getting a story first – especially if the facts are wavering at best.

This is not a Riffyou.com brag piece – that’s not our style. We just believe that too many people reported this story irresponsibly before the hardcore truth (i.e. the official statement from Foo Fighters) was presented to the public. Too many publications toyed with the hearts of fans. Too many publications skipped actual fact and presented the best worst-case scenario they could come up with.

We’re stoked that Foo Fighters are not going anywhere – apart from taking a quick breather between albums, which is something most bands do. We’re also unbelievably thrilled by how Foo Fighters took back the power last night and annihilated shitty journalism with an incredibly detailed, funny and beautifully executed viral video.

Some bands are amazing because they create and perform great music. Fewer bands are amazing because, like Foo Fighters, they get what it means to have the position that they do.

The Internet jumps to conclusion at times. Be careful about when you decide to jump alongside it.

Fans, we got your backs.

-Adam Grant