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Not too long ago the Foo Fighters released their Greatest Hits CD. It’s a compilation of all of the singles that have been released since the band’s inception, along with 2 new tracks and the acoustic version of Everlong that has been playing on KROQ here in LA since Dave Grohl decided to record it acoustically (for Kevin & Bean if I recall correctly). If you are familiar with their music, you will no doubt recognize most every song on this CD.

As many people know, the Foos are my favorite band. I bought the CD/DVD combo as soon as it came out like I usually do when their albums come out. I took it home, unwrapped it, and flipped through the liner notes as I let the CD play. The entirety of the book was all pictures spanning the band’s career until present, except for one page at the end. That final page was a reflection by Grohl not only on the band, but on his first experimental recordings and how those recordings helped shape them into the band they are today. It’s an awesome reflection and I recommend everyone buy a physical copy of the CD just to read it. Seriously.

I remember when I first heard the Foo Fighters. Actually, I saw them first. On MTV in 1997. I don’t know where they were, but they played on a rooftop of some sort. I believe it was above the sign of Radio City Music Hall in NYC. They played Monkey Wrench live, and I distinctly remember myself saying “wow, this song is awesome” right as the song hit that short bit of silence after the intro.

I didn’t know who they were that day, but I remember one day after seeing the video for the song. The distinctive red room is what I remember the most.

For a while after that I stopped paying attention to them. I knew about Monkey Wrench but it wasn’t until later that year when I got a tape from a fellow band member (thanks Dale!) that had an assortment of rock music. I had borrowed the tape for some project I was working on. The tape had the Green Day song, Time of Your Life, which I was using and was followed by Up in Arms. I often let the tape play into Up in Arms, and one day I discovered that Monkey Wrench was right after it. And then came My Hero. Those were tracks 6,7, and 8 off of The Colour and the Shape, and I didn’t even know it! I probably wore out that tape replaying those 3 songs over and over.

I got to college in 1999 and it wasn’t really until that summer that I had really started to enjoy rock music more and more. I got to the dorms and my roommate at the time passed me a copy of the Foo Fighters latest album at the time, There Is Nothing Left to Lose. I had heard Breakout, but it was Generator that immediately hooked me. After that, I had to get all the Foo Fighters I could find. I knew from then they would be my favorite band.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege to see them in concert 4 times, including one of their performances at the Pantages in Hollywood during their acoustic tour. It’s hard to believe they’ve already released their Greatest Hits album, as it’s never felt as if they needed to do one. It’s never felt like they were done.

One of the final thoughts Grohl has in the liner notes is the following: “I don’t think we’ve written our greatest songs yet. But that door is always open.”

I don’t think they have yet either and I look forward to what is next.

-m

P.S. I am rusty at writing and it probably shows. Hopefully I can get around to writing more and getting my thoughts down in a better fashion.