Dave Grohl is an American singer, songwriter, and musician whose discography consists of 16 studio albums, six live albums, eight compilation albums, six EPs, and four soundtracks, and also includes his other collaborations and work as a studio musician with 26 additional artists. A large portion of his releases have come as the drummer of Nirvana (1990–1994) and as the frontman of Foo Fighters (1995–present).
Grohl began playing music in the 1980s and was a member of Freak Baby, whose name was later changed to Mission Impossible after Grohl switched from guitarist to drummer. The band recorded demos under both names and released a split EP with Lünch Meat, originally issued as Thanks (1986), later retitled Getting Shit for Growing Up Different.Mission Impossible, release information. Discogs.com After some lineup changes, Mission Impossible became Dain Bramage and released I Scream Not Coming Down (1986) before breaking up when Grohl auditioned for Scream and became the band's drummer.
With Scream, Grohl released No More Censorship (1988), two live albums and the posthumous release, Fumble (1993), recorded shortly before the group's dissolution in 1990. Later that year, Grohl was put in contact with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic who were in search of a new drummer for their band Nirvana. After a successful tryout, Grohl joined the band and recorded Nevermind (1991) with them the following year. The album became a breakthrough achievement and to date has sold over 30 million copies worldwide."Nirvana's 'Nevermind' To Be Re-Released". Billboard.com. June 27, 2011. In Utero (1993), their third and final studio album, was released just months prior to the death of Cobain. Since then, a multitude of posthumous releases featuring Grohl have been issued, including MTV Unplugged in New York (1994), From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996), With the Lights Out (2004), and Live at Reading (2009).
Throughout his tenure with Scream and Nirvana, Grohl worked on crafting material of his own. Using the pseudonym Late!, Grohl released the album Pocketwatch (1992), on which he performed all instruments and vocals. This recording method was adopted three years later with Foo Fighters (1995), another album performed entirely by Grohl. After acquiring band members to help support the release, Foo Fighters quickly transformed into a group fronted by Grohl. The band has gone on to release a total of ten studio albums and three EPs to date, in addition to the live album Skin and Bones (2006) and their career spanning Greatest Hits (2009). As of 2015, Foo Fighters have sold over 12 million albums in the U.S.Dave Grohl interview: 'I'm going to fix my leg and then I'm going to come back' telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
Grohl appeared as drummer of The Backbeat Band, who recorded music for the film Backbeat (1994). Although recorded in 1990, Harlingtox A.D. would mark Grohl's only appearance as a bassist, with the release of Harlingtox Angel Divine (1996). He appeared for the first time as David Grohl, credited for the music to the film Touch (1997), which also included the resurrection of his former moniker Late! on select tracks. In 2000, Grohl began work on the heavy metal side project Probot (2004), writing and performing the majority of the music himself.
While remaining active with Foo Fighters, Grohl has also contributed to an assortment of releases by other artists, ranging from solo acts such as Tony Iommi, David Bowie, Slash, and Michael Jackson to rock groups including Tenacious D, Queens of the Stone Age, Killing Joke, and Nine Inch Nails, among many others (see also: collaborations). Grohl contributed the track "Vile" to the soundtrack of the documentary film Rising Sun: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi (2006)."Dave Grohl Goes Solo". NME.com. August 16, 2006. In 2009, along with Josh Homme and John Paul Jones, he co-founded the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures for which he plays drums. The band released one self-titled studio album.
Releases
with Freak Baby Can It Be? (1985), MetroZine – "20/20 Hindsight", "No Words", "Different"
with Mission Impossible Alive & Kicking (1985), WGNS Recordings – "I Can Only Try" 77 KK (1985), 77 KK Records – "Life Already Drawn" Getting Shit for Growing Up Different (1986), Dischord Records/Sammich Records
with Dain Bramage Demo 1 (1986), No Label Demo 2 (1986), No Label I Scream Not Coming Down (1986), Fartblossom Enterprizes
with Scream
No More Censorship (1988), RAS Records Live at Van Hall in Amsterdam (1988), Konkurrel Records Your Choice Live Series Vol.10 (1990), Your Choice Records Fumble (Recorded 1989 / Released 1993), Dischord Records
with Nirvana
Nevermind (1991), DGC Hormoaning (1992), DGC/Geffen Incesticide (1992), Sub Pop/DGC In Utero (1993), DGC/Geffen MTV Unplugged in New York (1994), DGC/Geffen Singles (1996), DGC/Geffen From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996), DGC/Geffen Nirvana (2002), DGC/Geffen With the Lights Out (2004), DGC/Geffen/Universal Sliver: The Best of the Box (2005), DGC/Geffen/Universal Live at Reading (2009), Geffen Icon (2010), Universal
with Late! Pocketwatch (1992), Simple Machines Touch Motion Picture soundtrack (on select tracks)
with Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters (1995), Roswell/Capitol The Colour and the Shape (1997), Roswell/Capitol There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999), RCA One by One (2002), RCA In Your Honor (2005), RCA Five Songs and a Cover (2005), RCA Skin and Bones (2006), RCA Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007), RCA Greatest Hits (2009), RCA Wasting Light (2011), RCA Medium Rare (2011), Roswell/RCA Sonic Highways (2014), RCA Concrete and Gold (2017), RCA Medicine at Midnight (2021), RCA But Here We Are (2023), RCA Your Favorite Toy (2026), RCA
with Harlingtox A.D. Harlingtox Angel Divine (1996), Laundry Room Records
with Tenacious D Tenacious D (2001), Epic Records Pick of Destiny (2006), Epic Records Rize of the Fenix (2012), Columbia Records Post-Apocalypto (2018), Columbia Records
with Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf (2002), Interscope Records ...Like Clockwork (2013), Matador Records
with Probot Probot (2004), Southern Lord/Roswell
with Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures (2009), DGC/Interscope
with Dee Gees Hail Satin (2021), RCA
with Dream Widow Dream Widow (2022), Roswell Records
Solo career Play (2018)
Soundtracks
With The Backbeat Band Backbeat Music from the Motion Picture (1994), Virgin Records
With Tenacious D
The Pick of Destiny Soundtrack to the film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006), Epic Records
As David/Dave Grohl Touch Music from the Motion Picture (1997), Roswell/Capitol Rising Sun: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi Soundtrack (2006), Image Entertainment Sound City: Real to Reel Soundtrack (2013), Variance Films/Roswell Films/Gravitas Ventures A Minecraft Movie Soundtrack (2025), WaterTower Music
Collaborations The following is a list of artists whose releases feature contributions from Dave Grohl. YearArtistRelease Additional information 1992 King Buzzo King Buzzo Guitar, bass, and drums on select tracks, lead vocals on "Skeeter". 1995 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers SNL25: The Musical Performances Volume 1 Drums on "Honey Bee", recorded November 19, 1994 for Saturday Night Live. Mike Watt Ball-Hog or Tugboat? Guitar on "Big Train", drums on "Big Train" and "Against the 70's", which both feature Eddie Vedder. The Stinky Puffs A Little Tiny Smelly Bit of The Stinky Puffs Drums on the live versions of "Buddies Aren't Butts", "Menendez' Killed Their Parents", "I'll Love You Anyway" and "I Am Gross/No You're Not!", which also feature Krist Novoselic. 1997 Puff Daddy Been Around the World Drums on "It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix I)" and "It's All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix II)", which both feature The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Tommy Stinson and Rob Zombie. 1998 Earthlings? Earthlings? Guitar and backing vocals on "The Dreaded Lovelies", which also features Victoria Williams. Guitar on "Yugga Yugga", a bonus track on the 2012 vinyl reissue. 2000 Reeves Gabrels Ulysses (Della Notte) Drums and backing vocals on "Jewel", which also features Frank Black and David Bowie. MxPx The Ever Passing Moment Count-off vocal introduction on "The Next Big Thing". Earthlings? Human Beans Drums on "Rock Dove", which also features Mark Lanegan and Barrett Martin. Tony Iommi Iommi Lead vocals and drums on "Goodbye Lament", which also features Brian May. 2001 Tenacious D Tenacious D Drums on all tracks, additional guitar on "Wonderboy", "Explosivo", "Dio", "The Road", "Rock Your Socks", "Double Team" and "City Hall". 2002 David Bowie Heathen Guitar on "I've Been Waiting for You". Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf Drums and percussion on all tracks 2003 Cat Power You Are Free Bass on "Speak for Me", drums on "Speak for Me", "He-War" and "Shaking Paper". Killing Joke Killing Joke Drums on all tracks. The Bangles Doll Revolution Backing vocals on select tracks. 2005 Garbage Bleed Like Me Drums on "Bad Boyfriend". Nine Inch Nails With Teeth Percussion on "All the Love in the World", drums on "You Know What You Are?", "The Collector", "Every Day Is Exactly the Same", "Getting Smaller", "Sunspots" and "The Line Begins to Blur". 2006 Pete Yorn Nightcrawler Drums on "For Us". Tenacious D The Pick of Destiny Drums on all tracks, demon vocals on "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)". Juliette and the Licks Four on the Floor Drums and percussion on all tracks. 2008 Jackson United Harmony and Dissidence Drums on "Undertow", "Black Regrets", "Lifeboat", "Trigger Happy", "White Flag Burning", "Stitching" and "Like a Bomb". Lemmy Kilmister We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year Drums on "Run Rudolph Run", which also features Billy Gibbons. 2009 The Prodigy Invaders Must Die Drums on "Run with the Wolves", additional drums on "Stand Up". 2010 Slash Slash Drums on "Watch This", which also features Duff McKagan. Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders Red Light Fever Guitar and backing vocals on select tracks. Mondo Generator Dog Food Drums on "Dog Food", which also features Happy-Tom. 2012 Tenacious D Rize of the Fenix Drums on all tracks except "They Fucked Our Asses" or "They F----d Our A---s" 2013 Ghost If You Have Ghost Rhythm guitar on "If You Have Ghosts", drums on "I'm a Marionette" and "Waiting for the Night", production RDGLDGRN RDGLDGRN EP Drums Zac Brown Band The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1 Drums on "Let It Rain" and "Day for the Dead", producer2014 The Birds of SatanThe Birds of SatanGuitar on select tracks. Drums on digital only single "Be The Bird". Kristeen Young The Knife Shift Drums on all tracks except "Then I Screamed", guitar on 5 tracks 2015 Blast For Those Who've Graced the Fire Drums Dan Mangan + Blacksmith Club Meds Backing vocals and slide guitar on "Vessel" 2016 Nine Inch Nails Not the Actual Events Drums on "The Idea of You" Rush 2112 (40th Anniversary) "Overture"2020 The Bird and the BeePut Up The LightsDrums on "Little Drummer Boy" 2021 Halsey If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power Drums on "Honey"2022 Liam Gallagher C'mon You Know Drums on "Everything's Electric" 2024 St. Vincent All Born Screaming Drums on "Broken Man" and "Flea" 2025 Jack Black A Minecraft Movie soundtrack Drums on "I Feel Alive" Ed Sheeran F1 the Album Drums on "Drive"
Singles The following is a list of singles that include Dave Grohl as an official band member.
With Scream "Mardi Gras"/"Land Torn Down" (1990)
With Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991) "Come as You Are" (1992) "On a Plain" (1992) promotional single "Lithium" (1992) "In Bloom" (1992) "Molly's Lips" (1992) promotional single "Puss"/"Oh, the Guilt" (1993) split single w/ The Jesus Lizard "Heart-Shaped Box" (1993) see also: "Marigold" "All Apologies"/"Rape Me" (1993) "Pennyroyal Tea" (1994) discontinued "About a Girl" (1994)