Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band, founded in 1994 by musician Dave Grohl. After recording by himself what would become the album Foo Fighters, Grohl decided to recruit a full band with him as singer and guitarist. The original line-up included bassist Nate Mendel, drummer William Goldsmith, and Pat Smear.
Taylor Hawkins took over the drums in 1997 after Goldsmith left the band, serving as drummer until his death in 2022. Smear left in 1998 during the tour for second album The Colour and the Shape, with Franz Stahl becoming the guitarist for the remainder of the tour. Afterwards Stahl left for creative differences, and while the band recorded There Is Nothing Left to Lose as a trio, for the tour they again had a second guitarist, Chris Shiflett. Smear eventually became part of the band's tour musicians in 2005, and rejoined as a full-time member in 2011.