Josh Freese's Favorite Story From Playing with Sting

In this clip, Josh Freese talks about the time he spent playing in Sting's band, meeting Sting for the first time & playing Stewart Copeland's iconic drum fills.
Original video here: • Josh Freese Interview:...
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[@Employee00765]

I picture Stewart watching this and, at the "tom thing" part, smirking and thinking to himself, "welcome to the club."

[@goodpainlive]

Rick is the best interviewer in the business. Just amazing.

[@stonerdemon]

Josh's work on Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning is nothing short of amazing.

[@tyroilsmoochiewallace9852]

Someone who actually admits to human emotions.

[@justinreynolds3935]

Good to know ppl of Josh's caliber still get nervous and humbled. lol. Dude I hear him on the radio everyday at some point. Insane

[@zachariatekawaare4761]

One of my favorite guys you have interviewed. For such a talent he seems like such a down to earth guy. Ripper segment of the interview. This is the type of thing that keeps me coming back to Rick Beato!

[@KarlRock]

Josh is a great storyteller

[@ChintanCG]

Kaise ho 😊

[@karstenbursak8083]

But still far behind the storytelling of Steve Lukather 😂

[@woodyheywood8792]

Man I just love these interviews ... excellent Excellent !!!

[@cobra1010]

Josh Freese is a really nice and friendly person. And it takes some courage and skills to be "the drummer that came after Vinnie"!

[@MikeKobb]

This whole interview was fantastic

[@Wade6242]

Love these stories

[@DerekDeVries]

Josh is the nicest guy - got to meet him multiple times at Warped Tour; always took time for fans. Josh, rest easy: when Maynard, Sting, Axl, Trent, Dave, and Mark want you to drum for them - you officially are a good musician.

[@tingkagol]

His work in A Perfect Circle's 13th Step is immaculate.

[@seandrew7837]

Saw Josh drumming for DEVO 2009 in London. Alan Myers would have seriously approved. He was awesome. 😎

[@kennethbropson8019]

I met him at a DEVO meet and greet in NYC. Super nice and super talented.

[@seandrew7837]

@@kennethbropson8019 yes, seems that way. 👍

[@maryiliff-engelbrecht714]

I had never heard of this guy before he was on this channel, and I throughly enjoyed it. Their love of music is contagious.

[@Antonivs]

Whoa! What a great guy is Josh!

[@jeffyoung9341]

JF is such a versatile percussionist! Love everything he does.

[@D7L7S]

Rick, you really bring out the best of your guests. Keep at it!

[@mikelistman5263]

Great interview with a cool dude!

[@ShalevCenter]

I saw Josh play in local punk bands in Orange County in the 80s and it was immediately clear to everyone that he was levels above every other drummer we’d ever seen

[@PjPerez]

I didn't realize Josh was from OC until I saw this interview (admittedly, I've never dived into his resume beyond knowing his work with NIN, APC, etc.).

[@CharlesRBiggs]

He's honest. I appreciate that humility in an artist like this!

[@Beckola44]

I really like these great videos and enjoyed hearing Josh's stories playing with Sting. Thank you for the video Rick.

[@sebastienbourdon3358]

Wow, not only he's an exceptionnal drummer, but he speaks without saying every two words "you know, it's like, I mean, you know, amazing". My admiration is growing a step further.

[@wolfsisterhowls]

In the first two minutes of this video he used "and like, was like, like, kind of etc" over a dozen times. He's a great musician and how he speaks is irrelevant, but I found this comment funny because it's just not true 😂

[@tapdog_music]

He actually answers the very first question in this clip with ‘weeellll I mean…

[@sebastienbourdon3358]

@@wolfsisterhowls well let's say he has a decent way of speaking, using words and phrases most of the time, which has become quite rare with american artists.

[@yester30]

Yeah, like, you know, it's great, I mean, yeah.

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

It's hard being interviewed. You have to be on it, recall memories impromptu. There isn't really training for this kind of thing unless you get big. Give people some grace. Speaking in public is scary and difficult. Especially on video when you know it will be there forever. These aren't actors. They are musicians.

[@vandavis000]

Josh freese is best drummer , im all about hearing his kool stories. Hes played on almost everybodys albums. 😮

[@bpalpha]

Walking On The Moon has such great drumming. Interesting stories.

[@S8NSAYS]

I love everything about this!

[@WilliamNAllen]

What a great interview. He is so open.

[@eltorpedo67]

That last story about insisting on playing the tom thing in Message is such a cool story, for a couple reasons - firstly I would have imagined that when Sting tells someone not to play something, that would be the end of the discussion, so it was nice to hear that he's more resonable. Secondly, Josh's perspective that he shows he deeply cares about what he's playing is really inspiring.

[@ACEDBH]

Josh seems like a nice, humble guy! Great interview!

[@scottbabb4485]

That was fantastic!

[@teaserrocks1768]

OMG - excellent interview - I didn’t know of John Freese before seeing things, but I’ll be looking out for his stuff.

[@clausm2203]

Great interview

[@DannyDep17]

Any videos mentioning Sting… I’m on it. Good for you Josh. 😉😎 Thx 😊🙏

[@Su_Kwak]

And to think, it _all_ started in Placentia with the *_Tuba Tree._* Kudos.

[@40spinup]

The Vandals to Sting ?!? Holy Shit Josh is amazing!!!

[@7BobbyGaylor7]

Great video as always. Love Josh!

[@Justicefordadmom]

❤❤❤ EXCELLENT INTERVIEW- JOSH ISN'T NO SLOUCH ON DRUMS. ❤❤❤

[@kevinbutler94]

I'd have loved Josh's life, what a lucky (and talented) guy

[@gregorygetable]

Subscribed quite awhile both. I will say your channels have helped me in many ways. Im old guy starting late guitar harmonica. Tiny YT channel. You helped me understand and dive in in late 60s. This year on akbum and another coming I dont even know how you can know such vast areas of pkaying and industry and how to be cohesive. Thank you

[@Franck.Jazzman]

🎶Everyone hears this tom 😁✨

[@chrisvalleqatsi]

I don't care who you are - incl Sting - you trust Josh Freese's take. If he's worked it out, it's good to go.

[@chrismitchell45]

When playing any of the most famous Police songs as a drummer, if you leave ANY of the recorded fills out, some dude in the audience is going to come up to you at the end of the set and say “you left out that fill”…. 😂

[@gsmith207]

Haaa! Nailed it

[@Antonivs]

Haha! Soooo true!

[@JamesDavis-sh9gh]

That's why Josh would have called Stewart Copeland. 😆😆

[@tonylocke1214]

We call them Train Spotters…

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

Lol I am onea those dudes 🎉

[@MrGingerJez]

Great interview! Josh reminds me of Matthew McConaughey haha

[@dbg32]

Exactly what I was going to write!

[@miky8788]

What a funny guy .. great video Sir

[@Rembrant65]

Love love love this video. So cool.

[@thelolguy007]

What a cool story. Awesome stuff Rick, yet again 👏👏👏

[@cr250rdr]

So you get the dream gig with Sting, who famously clashes with Stewart regarding playing styles, ghost notes, rests, fills and yes, tom hits, and he asks you NOT to play a Stewart Copeland Signature Tom Bit, on a song he has been playing and living with for decades, possibly cringing every night as he hears the tom hits that he doesn't like and doesn't think should be there...I don't know...this is dangerous territory and time to tread very carefully. While Sting couldn't fire Stewart, that isn't the case with a hired gun. Great story. Great interview.

[@greggorsag9787]

Yeah, but he waited and circled back instead of objecting on the spot. Huge difference and a great lesson.

[@TomTomicMic]

​@@greggorsag9787 Yes perhaps he caught Sting off guard as he was expecting a showdown on the first interaction, Copeland would have!?!

[@4444colin]

I remember going to the 2005 Sting and Annie Lennox tour. Denver Colorado. Rock on 😅

[@ted5669]

Saw him with the Foo Fighters. He’s something else

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

Josh is an exciting player forsure im not a user of fancy musical terms but id say what i like most about josh is his drum " phrasing" If that makes sense Dude understands the percussive purpose

[@JavierRamirez-wu5ru]

My first concert was the Police in Tucson it was unreal the musicianship.

[@bonesjackson81]

Best drummer for hire since Cozy Powell. I wish APC had never stopped so he coulda been with them for 20 years.

[@douglasc9182]

Right!! 🥁

[@brooklyn5107]

Amazing- The guy from Cobra Kai and Slider also plays with Sting!

[@tdkdgh]

Great!

[@ROOKTABULA]

Was one of first subs (under 10k) on main so I subbed here. Aces

[@neurocosm]

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!!!

[@juanbohorquez3354]

It's funny I just found a video of Josh playing message in a bottle in concert and he didn't do the tom thing hahaha

[@treharris1677]

SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@moinombre9799]

last subject (could you not do the tom?)--- Sting does that to test depth of heart and commitment. Josh aced it

[@JM-db8ez]

According to whom? I've never heard that.

[@Postmortumaz]

I practice the tom things for days during COVID.

[@JeffDeMarcus-wk3fb]

I remember him from the Blues Saraceno 'Hairpick' album

[@d.a.9937]

The first time I noticed Josh's drumming was on the album "Euphoria Morning" by Chris Cornell. Tasty stuff.

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

FANTASTIC ALBUM. R.I.P. Chris

[@Grandizer8989]

The funniest comment section on KZbin is Sting playing at his house in Tuscany ( o ) ( o )

[@floorticket]

If you ever get the chance at a second interview with Sting I'd love to hear about him and his band opening for the Grateful Dead eleven times in the Summer of '93. He must have taken something away from that experience.

[@danfinn2210]

I was at the Buffalo show watching Sting from the front row. He was heavy into Hendrix and The Beatles on this tour

[@seanmitchell609]

Saw buckeye lake. Best memory. All friends were deadheads. I was the big police/sting fan in the group. Amazing.

[@floorticket]

@@danfinn2210 I only saw the first three at Vegas. On the second day he lost a tiny sliver of the audience to the concession stands and bathrooms when they went into: "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" which they played the day before; as well as: "Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven), and A Day in the Life." By my count they repeated 9 of 13 on the second afternoon. On day three/Sunday he only repeated: "Every Little Thing she Does..." from Friday. Busted out Hendrix ... Purple Haze and "Blackbird" and "Penny Lane", "Message in a Bottle." Good times.

[@floorticket]

Nice, I hadn't seen Sting since the Police at Day on the Green in '83. The one and only time I saw that band before they broke up.

[@tomowens7499]

Sting got to work with the drummer from POLO?! what a lucky guy! :)

[@darthnihilus511]

Saw APC in Tallahassee a long time ago. Maynard and Josh got into an argument on stage, stopped the song and everything. Maynard finished the concert laying on his back on the stage 😂

[@flynnlizzy5469]

But why did it end at 7:32 ? Just curious, seemed to be very abrupt. Yes I gave it a like too.

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Watch the full interview yah dork

[@ccs9630]

Release the Jerry Cantrell interview I beg of you

[@splashesin8]

😊

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

That was a F'ing AWESOME anecdote about the "Message in a Bottle" tom hit! You can actually vividly imagine Sting trying to steal Josh's orgasm and Josh lobbying to keep it 🤘 Rick PLEASE post this entire interview!

[@mightyV444]

It's been up on his main channel for a while already! 😉

[@soundbreak7]

i definitely played the tom on my steering wheel

[@tbx59]

Nice Norco Neckwarmer

[@gregodify]

I agree about the double tap on the tom, but I would be curious to hear it without it and to know if he changed Sting's opinion about it. On the last Police tour, Sting talked (argued?) Stewart out of a similar double tom tap on another song.

[@sykessony1315]

The Matthew Mcconaughey of the Drummers 😉

[@odaydrums]

i am subscribed and I hope you are well !!!!!!

[@grimmertwin2148]

Stings Office? How rock'n'roll

[@MonkyTube18]

i get some Deadpool vibes here :D

[@mikepaulus4766]

Where is Josh's off switch?

[@ulix4]

subscribed

[@drebatista]

Brand New Day

[@odaydrums]

Funny he calls "Faith" a shuffle we call shuffles something else if its that but Josh is amazing

[@Hammerpercussion]

The 16th notes are swung, not the 8th notes like in a traditional blues shuffle.

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

Just say it out loud Josh….”I have to take Vinnies drum chair?”

[@dcd915]

Another example of the great interviews Rick sets up, arranges, etc...and why the players love to go there...

[@pauldavis4287]

What’s a shuffle if you’re drumming?

[@oliveroneill1388]

Never once heard of this chap

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

Yes, Stewart's the busiest drummer of all time. HOWEVER his parts are sheer genius and absolutely essential to the composition. You can't change Stewart's (or Andy's) parts without losing signature elements of the song itself. Sorry Sting, you needed them and they needed you.

[@NIO3954]

That’s funny! I bet he asked Stu to not play that tom thing either …and Stu probably said FU STING! 😂

[@WeLuv9x5]

6:39 The nerve of the bass element discounting Stewart’s fills! 🤦🏻

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

Is there a longer version of this interview or will one eventually be available? My very crappy punk band once opened for Josh's very good punk band many years ago in Bakersfield.

[@HoJoGoGo]

It's linked in the description for this video.

[@radbradke]

You’ll have Josh Freese hair like I do….

[@sply77]

At the end he didnt play the tomb thing xD

[@jukesjointOG]

If you’re looking for a villa in Tuscany, there is absolutely nothing available. Nothing.

[@MrBluesboy21]

Seinfeld?

[@jukesjointOG]

@@MrBluesboy21 That’s Right.

[@randall9000]

Not that there’s anything wrong with that

[@darrelict1]

Well, technically there is one. Just one. "This one."

[@yogavibe2516]

this guy is so deadpool lol ...awesome

[@pinkylieder5878]

rick be-auto two

[@crystalskullsucked]

It was more interesting him playing with seotaeji and boys than the police

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

"the Tom Thing" Doesn't this guy know that "the tom thing" on "message in a bottle" is a reference to "Can't Stand Losing You", a song about suicide? That's what it is to me... And we can forget suicide, and not miss anything... IMHO

[@expositooculto1040]

Is this guy Matthew Mcconaughey's first cousin?

[@odvedokikrema]

His jaw goes slightly askew and almost gets a Texas whistle... typical McConaughey, but Josh is from Florida? Or is he doing that deliberately...?

[@billybill29]

Florida, then he moved to Orange County (CA). His father was musical director at DisneyLand

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

Still incomprehensible as to why sting would use a drummer to play police material other than Stewart Copeland

[@jasonb.7609]

one cost this much, the other this much, oh and one does everything I say withoutpushback, happens to be the one that cost less, a lot less😂

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

@@jasonb.7609 hahahaha. That’s a VERY good point! - As happened with miles exiting the scene too! But when you’re worth $500 million it would be nice to see costs becoming secondary to the equation. Even sting admitted that when he steps out with Stewart and Andy, "something just happens."

[@jasonb.7609]

@@ImpartiallySpeaking right on! Yes, their chemistry is/was special. The original KISS had it, and of course Zep and so many others that without the original ingredients, isnt quite the same haha, but now I am going to check out some live vids of this, drummer seems like a cool dude!

[@jasonb.7609]

@@ImpartiallySpeaking and yes a bummer on the money thing right? same as the KISS thing, Tommy and Eric are way cheaper than Ace and Peter, no pushback, headaches etc, but sucks for the fans, we deserve the money put into these bands, we helped make them in the first place! Haha,I expect, Sting, Gene and Paul, or whoever to go out there and give us the real deal, even if it sucks for them personally, they can decompress by the million dollar pool after the tour😆

[@robertnobody]

Sting now uses "no name" drummers that the management can pay way less money to, Josh was the last "name" drummer he used, he should feel honored.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

Good point! He uses drummers and musicians who basically do what they’re told, the way he wants it done without any need for arguments. But creative control doesn’t equate to spontaneity where then thing that made the police special was Stewart’s ability to be creative without being controlled.