In Dave Grohl’s garage, the Foo Fighters recorded their latest album…all to ensure he could care for his kids and take them to nursery during the breaks.
Yet, amidst the chaos of diapers and bottles, this devoted father firmly believes he still embodies rock ‘n’ roll.
He states, “I’ve always aspired to be a parent, but I envisioned my music career would eventually come to an end, and then I’d transition to a normal life, becoming a father and engaging in what everyday people do.”
“It took me a while to understand, ‘Wait, it’s possible to do both!’ My idol, Neil Young, is a rock legend who returns home every night to care for his family. Once I figured out that I could emulate that, I asked myself, ‘What am I waiting for?'”
Fortunately, the rest of the band—guitarists Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear, bassist Nate Mendel, and drummer Taylor Hawkins—have made it more convenient for him. For their new album, Wasting Light, they would come to his home in LA, allowing Dave Grohl to assist his wife, model Jordyn, with their four-year-old Violet and two-year-old Harper (unrelated to our columnist Harry).
Grohl, 42, shares, “I would wake up at 5:30 am, prepare breakfasts and bottles for the kids, get them dressed for school and nursery, rush them there in the mini-van, grab doughnuts for the band on the way back home, vacuum the garage studio floor…and that was before we even started recording.
“We’d wrap up around 11 pm, I’d have a glass of red wine, then head to bed, only to wake up at 5:30 am and do it all over again. It was incredibly exhausting but also the ideal situation because it balanced home and work life.”
Dave Grohl…you truly are a remarkable figure. You present yourself as if you’re flawless.
So, are you still a rock ‘n’ roller? It must be noted that your new album is quite impressive…in fact, I believe it’s among your best. Your live performances have improved too. At least you seem to have stopped overdoing the rock star persona on stage.
You produce songs as frequently as Hollywood releases films…as if on an assembly line. Is that necessarily a positive thing?
Indeed, throughout your journey, there have been some noteworthy Foo Fighter tracks…though they haven’t yet reached classic status…not at this point, anyway.
And what exactly is your model wife doing during all this chaos while you hustle like Superman on an exceptionally busy day? Is 
she investing time in looking stunning for you when you give her a quick peck before collapsing into bed? She might be caught up in a superficial world and influenced by magazines suggesting women and men are identical. While I firmly believe men and women possess equal talent, it exists in different fields. They are NOT the same. But it appears Jordyn has clearly turned you into somewhat of a pushover.
It’s commendable that you embrace the “parenting role,” and believe me, many of us can relate…truly, most of us can. However, we are here to listen to your music, purchase your albums, and enjoy your performances. Perhaps we want to delve into the meanings behind your songs, or you could enlighten us about them. What we aren’t interested in is hearing about how much of a glorious hero you perceive yourself to be while engaging in domestic duties. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you require more than just one glass of red wine before your wife might put you in your place by the evening, you soft-hearted individual.
Is all this really necessary? Will it contribute positively to your record sales? Or is this truly who you are?
Kurt Cobain would likely be turning in his grave. I’ve watched Nirvana interviews, and the three of you had such disdain for inauthentic bands. I know we all facea bit older and wiser, our perspectives shift slightly…but please leave the nonsense behind, Dave, we truly want you to embrace your rock ‘n’ roll spirit once more.
The album is produced by Butch Vig, known for his work on Nirvana’s iconic album Nevermind. One track, I Should Have Known, marks the first collaboration between Dave and Nirvana’s bassist Krist Novoselic since the passing of vocalist Kurt Cobain in 1994.
Grohl states, “I’ve remained friends with Krist, but recording a song together was a significant moment. Whenever we meet, we exchange a warm hug and express our love for one another, as we share the unique bond of our time in Nirvana and the heartbreak of losing Kurt.”
Grohl remarked that the song was secondary, yet it provided a perfect chance for Krist, Butch, and him to be together in the studio.
Grohl shared, “The morning after Kurt passed, I woke up realizing, ‘I get to wake up today, and Kurt doesn’t.’ That was a significant moment for me, and it’s how I try to approach life… I aim to experience as much as I can before my time is up.”
In explaining why they chose to record in his garage, Grohl noted, “One of the reasons for the garage location was to ensure everyone felt at ease.”
However, it wasn’t a completely easy experience.
“There’s nothing more humbling than having your daughter tap you on the shoulder while you’re trying to record a powerful vocal. My children have a good musical ear, and they’re always welcome to play any of daddy’s instruments.”
“But I genuinely worry that as they grow, they might either become rock stars or start dating them. I know what those lives entail.”
By the time they’re grown, you might have already forgotten what it means to be a rock ‘n’ roller, Dave. You’re halfway there already.
by Wallace McTavish
