Pat Smear will miss “a few” Foo Fighters gigs after breaking “multiple bones in his foot” in a “bizarre gardening accident”.
The heavy rock band have made light of the situation by mocking up a fake magazine cover of the 66-year-old rhythm guitarist in a wheelchair with his bone scan in a pullout.
The headline reads: “Breaking News. Pat Smear Bizarre Gardening Accident!”
It references This Is Spinal Tap, the 1984 mockumentary, in which the fictional band’s former drummer, Stumpy Pepys, is said to have died in a “bizarre gardening accident,” and the authorities supposedly declared it “best left unsolved.”
Jason Falkner, who usually plays for Beck and St. Vincent, will fill in for Pat while he heals.
The cover was captioned on the band’s Instagram: “BREAKING NEWS!
“In the classic tradition of rockstars having bizarre gardening accidents, Pat Smear has apparently rung in the new year by smashing the s*** out of his left foot.
“This means he’ll unfortunately be missing a few shows while the multiple broken bones in his foot heal. We’ll miss our beloved Pat as much as you will, but we want him fully healed and back on his feet as soon as possible.
“Beck and St. Vincent guitar wizard Jason Falkner will be filling in for Pat while he’s on the mend.”
The concerts Pat will sit out include a homeless charities concert at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on January 14.
Foo Fighters returned with the new song Asking For A Friend in October, and announced a 2026 North American jaunt entitled Take Cover, plus UK and European dates.