Foo Fighters Guitarist Pat Smear Sitting Out Upcoming Shows After Breaking Foot in ‘Bizarre Gardening Accident’

Pat Smear’s megawatt smile and enthusiastic strumming have been a fan-favorite staple of Foo Fighters shows since the Dave Grohl-led band’s debut in 1994. Unfortunately for longtime fans, though, that light will go dim for the group’s upcoming run of three January shows due to a gnarly foot injury Smear, 66, sustained over the New Year’s holiday.

In a tabloid-style Instagram post that plays on an iconic dead drummer gag from the first Spinal Tap movie, the band announced on Wednesday morning (Jan. 7) that Smear will have to sit out a run of January shows due to the accident.

“In the classic tradition of rockstars having bizarre gardening accidents, Pat Smear has apparently rung in the new year by smashing the s–t out of his left foot,” the band wrote alongside a fake Weekly World News-like newspaper cover featuring a smiling Smear flipping the middle finger as he’s transported on a gurney under the headline “Pat Smear Bizarre Gardening Accident!” along with a banner announcing “Aliens spotted warming up for spring training!”

“This means he’ll unfortunately be missing a few shows while the multiple broken bones in his foot heal,” the announcement continued. “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.” In the meantime, veteran Beck/St. Vincent guitarist Jason Falkner will be filling in for Smear at the Foos’ upcoming shows at the Feria Estatal De Leon in Guanajuato, Mexico on Saturday (Jan. 10), as well as a Kia Forum show in Los Angeles on Jan. 14 and a Jan. 24 gig at Utas Stadium in on the Australian island state of Launceston, Tasmania.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.