As surprising as yesterdays news was that Guns N’ Roses Frank Ferrer was leaving the band, the even greater surprise came today. They have already found a replacement.
Guns N’ Roses have since confirmed that AWOLNATION’s Isaac Carpenter is set to take over drum duties.
Announced via the band’s social media, Carpenter’s appointment comes just one day after Ferrer officially stepped down. “Welcoming Isaac Carpenter as the new drummer of Guns N’ Roses,” read the post, alongside a fresh promo shot of the new recruit.
Carpenter’s no stranger to big stages. He’s been part of AWOLNATION’s setup since 2014 and has previously played with A Perfect Circle, Adam Lambert, and GNR bassist Duff McKagan’s side project Loaded. So, while the jump to GNR is a major one, at least he’s not walking in completely cold.
Ferrer, who joined GNR in 2006 during the Chinese Democracy era, has been the band’s most enduring drummer, sticking around for 19 years. That includes their biggest run in decades including the long-awaited reunion of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan. His final show with the band went down in Mexico last November.
The band described his departure as amicable, thanking him for his “friendship, creativity, and sturdy presence” over nearly two decades. Considering how chaotic Guns N’ Roses lineup history has been over the years, that’s about as peaceful a transition as they come.
Carpenter’s first test with Guns N’ Roses will likely be their upcoming appearance at Black Sabbath’s final reunion show this July in Birmingham.
So far, no wild drama, no flaming bridges, just a changing of the guard. But this is still Guns N’ Roses after all, so I’d give it at least a few months.
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