Dave Grohl Says That Billie Eilish Is ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll To Me’

Is anyone going to argue with Dave Grohl?

In a new interview with The Independent, the Foo Fighters frontman talked about the rock ‘n’ roll industry, which the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been a part of ever since he was serving as the drummer of Nirvana in the early 90s.

In the interview, he talked about whether or not rock music was still “relevant,” as well as “Bad Guy” singer Billie Eilish.

When first asked if rock was still “relevant” today in the face of mainstream pop music, Grohl admitted that relevance can be tricky to define. Even still, he pointed out that there are still “thousands of people f---ing going bananas and singing along to our songs” at Foo Fighters concerts, so they clearly still have a major presence in the entertainment industry.

However, he did admit that it’s “a different game nowadays” for up-and-coming artists in the industry.

“I can understand how it’s a different game nowadays for younger bands,” Grohl explained. “There’s a lot of great young bands that are f---ing killing it and have devoted fan bases. They might not be as popular as Nicki Minaj, but honestly, when I see f---ing Billie Eilish, that’s rock ’n’ roll to me. She started a revolution and took over the world.”

Back in 2019, Grohl was speaking with Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino at the Pollstar Live conference. While there, he praised the “bury a friend” singer and her ability to connect with her audience – something that reminded him of what Nirvana experienced with their fans when they first got started in 1991.

“My daughters are obsessed with Billie Eilish,” Grohl revealed. “And what I’m seeing happening with my daughters is the same revolution that happened to me at their age. My daughters are listening to Billie Eilish and they’re becoming themselves through her music.”

Although he admits that Eilish doesn’t carry the same sound that Nirvana did, he admitted that “rock ‘n’ roll” music is “authentic,” which means that the label can apply to Eilish’s music.

“Her music is hard to define,” Grohl added. “I don’t even know what to call it. But it’s authentic. And I would call that rock ’n’ roll ... I don’t care what sort of instruments you use to do it. When I look at someone like Billie Eilish, I’m like... s--- man... rock ’n’ roll is not even close to being dead.”

As The Blast previously reported, Dave Grohl has admitted to having profound hearing loss that can make it difficult for him to hear what’s being said, even at restaurants. Grohl revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent mask-wearing mandates have made it even more difficult for him to tune in to conversations.

“If you were sitting next to me right here at dinner, I wouldn’t understand a f—ing word you were saying to me the whole f—ing time,” Grohl said. “There’s no way. In a crowded restaurant… that’s the worst.”

“The worst thing about this pandemic s— is people wearing masks,” he added. “I’ve been reading lips for, like, 20 years… I’m a rock musician. I’m f—ing deaf. I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

However, that doesn't mean his hearing is gone completely.

Although he may have trouble with spoken conversations, Grohl can tell when a cymbal is out of tune in the recording studio.

“When we go in to make a record, and we’re mixing an album, I can hear the slightest little things,” Grohl said. “My ears are still tuned in to certain frequencies, and if I hear something out of tune or a cymbal that’s not bright enough or something like that. In the mix, I can f---ing hear the minutiae of everything we had done to that song.”

Grohl also says that he chooses to perform without ear monitors thanks to his expert audio technician team, who has been with the band for 31 years.

“The problem that I have with [ear monitors] is it removes you from the natural atmosphere sound,” he explained. “I wanna hear the audience in front of me… It messes with your spatial understanding of where you are onstage.”