William Goldsmith
The drummer who played on The Colour and the Shape — but whose parts were replaced.
William Goldsmith (born July 4, 1972) is an American drummer who was a member of Foo Fighters between 1994 and '97, playing on their second album The Colour and the Shape (1997) — though his drum tracks were largely replaced by Dave Grohl. He is also a member of Sunny Day Real Estate and Assertion, and has toured with Mike Watt and IQU. Born in Seattle, Washington to Hugh and Skitty Goldsmith, he began playing drums as a child after being introduced by his older brother to bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and Talking Heads. He has cited Keith Moon of The Who as his biggest influence on the instrument.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 4 July 1972
- Birthplace
- Seattle, Washington, US
- Instrument
- Drums, percussion
- Occupation
- Musician
- Genre
- Alternative rock
- Current member of
- Sunny Day Real Estate
- Past member of
- The Fire Theft, Foo Fighters
- Label
- Sub Pop
- Time Bomb Recordings
- Roswell/Capitol
Lore & Background
Goldsmith's time with Foo Fighters was brief and fraught. After joining in late October 1994 alongside bassist Nate Mendel and guitarist Pat Smear, the band toured clubs supporting Mike Watt in 1995. But as the band grew, Goldsmith felt creatively stifled: 'pretty much everything after that blew,' he said, adding 'it turned into a world-domination thing that became really creatively stifling.' He also developed carpal tunnel syndrome after the tour.
The recording of the second album with producer Gil Norton was grueling — Goldsmith recalled, 'Dave had me do 96 takes of one song, and I had to do thirteen hours' worth of takes on another one. It just seemed that everything I did wasn't good enough for him, or anyone else.' The band regrouped in Los Angeles in February 1997 and re-recorded the album with Grohl on drums without telling Goldsmith. He learned from Mendel that his contribution was being replaced.
Feeling betrayed, and unhappy with Grohl's suggestion he continue only as a touring drummer, Goldsmith left. He was replaced by Taylor Hawkins.
Reader's Guide
He joined in late 1994, toured in 1995, and recorded The Colour and the Shape in 1996-97. After leaving, he returned to Sunny Day Real Estate for their 1998 album How It Feels To Be Something On and 2000's The Rising Tide.
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