Foo Fighters confirm Pat Smear will miss tour due to unexpected gardening mishap

Foo Fighters have a reputation for mixing rock theatrics with humor, and their recent tour announcement is no exception. Longtime guitarist Pat Smear will be absent from a few January 2026 tour dates after breaking his foot in what the band humorously referred to as a “bizarre gardening accident.” The band’s announcement, made in the style of a mock-tabloid newspaper cover, drew comparisons to the cult rock satire film “This Is Spinal Tap,” where a fictional drummer dies in a similar accident.

Pat Smear, a former member of Nirvana and a longtime fixture in Foo Fighters, suffered multiple broken bones in his left foot, necessitating his temporary absence from “a few shows.” To fill in for Smear during the affected dates across Mexico, Los Angeles, and Texas, acclaimed guitarist Jason Falkner, known for his work with Beck, St. Vincent, and Jellyfish, will step in. The band has not provided a specific timeline for Smear’s return, but his absence is expected to be short-lived and not impact the band’s momentum in 2026.

Despite Smear’s absence, Foo Fighters have a busy January scheduled, with performances in Mexico, California, and Australia, including a charity show aligned with Dave Grohl’s birthday in Inglewood, California. The band will then resume live appearances in May 2026, starting with the Welcome to Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, Florida.

This lineup change is the latest in a series of shifts for Foo Fighters, following drummer Josh Freese’s departure in 2025. By July of that year, Ilan Rubin, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, had replaced Freese, who then rejoined his former band. The temporary absence of Pat Smear adds another layer of complexity to the band’s recent history.

While the announcement of Smear’s injury was delivered with light-hearted humor, the band’s primary concern is his full recovery and eventual return to the stage. The reference to “This Is Spinal Tap” also carries a somber undertone, as it comes in the wake of tragedy for the film’s co-creator, Rob Reiner.

Despite the challenges and changes, Foo Fighters remain focused on their music and upcoming performances, ready to rock on with guitars blazing, and leaving the garden mysteries behind.