Dave Grohl says injury has made Foos stronger

In this July 4, 2015 file photo, The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl performs with a cast at RFK Stadium in Washington. Grohl fell onstage in Sweden last month and fractured his foot. AP

NEW YORK — Even though Dave Grohl has a broken foot and has been reduced to performing from a chair, he insists his injury has not set his band back, but strengthened it.

“I think these have been the best shows the Foo Fighters have ever done. I think because of this situation and because of the challenge of just getting onstage to do the shows, the shows are more passionate, they’re more energetic,” Grohl said in a phone interview with The Associated Press from Quebec City on Friday.

“When the audience sees me in that chair, they realize we’re all in this together,” he added. “I’m just a dude with a broken leg and I’m going to give you three hours of everything I got.”

Grohl fell onstage in Sweden last month and fractured his foot. He said he initially didn’t feel any pain: He had a cast put on his leg during the show and he finished the performance. Days later, he completed surgery and the band canceled the rest of its European tour.

READ: Foo Fighters singer falls from stage in Sweden, injures leg

But they emerged in Washington, D.C., last weekend as Grohl hit the stage sitting in a throne with his foot propped up in a purple cast. He strummed his guitar loudly and sang like usual — all from a chair that’s equipped with a seat belt to keep the excited rock star from falling over.

Grohl said he had been planning that show for more than a year; the concert date marked the 20th anniversary of the Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut album.

“And I’m from Washington, D.C. My dream as a kid was to be able to play the big room in my hometown and RFK (Stadium) is the big room in my hometown,” he said. “There was nothing that was going to keep me from missing that show. Nothing. If they had to wheel me out on a stretcher, I still would have done it.”

Grohl said he drew the throne he sat on in his hotel room when he was thinking of ways he could still perform with a broken foot. The band has about 50 shows scheduled through November.

“Listen to my voice right now. My voice is so (messed) up because I don’t want to get offstage. I keep screaming until I don’t have anything left,” he said.

Grohl said his foot is healing nicely and added that “the swelling’s down.” And he’s been checking back and forth with doctors after his shows to be sure he’s on the right track.

“I don’t want to cancel shows. … I’m not supposed to put weight on it for six weeks,” he said. “I’m doing my little rehab exercises. This is my kick-drum leg!”

Grohl said he’s been able to connect with fans even more despite his injury.

“I like my job. I got a broken (expletive) leg but I’m still on the road because I (expletive) love it,” he said. TVJ