Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has revealed an unexpected method he uses to keep his vocal cords in top shape — and it involves alcohol.
In a recent interview on the Dish podcast, Grohl shared that about eight years ago, he finally went to get his vocal cords checked after decades of performing. He admitted he was nervous, joking, 'Oh, Jesus. It’s going to look like string cheese.' He feared the worst: that years of screaming into a microphone had left permanent damage.
But to his surprise, the doctor was impressed. Grohl recalled: 'The guy sticks the camera down into my throat and he goes, “Just relax.” And he’d say, “Okay, now say ‘eee.’” And I’m going, “Eee.” And then he looks at my vocal cords and he goes, “Wow, they look great.”'
When asked for his secret, Grohl laughed and said it might be whiskey. 'I drink whiskey every night before I go on stage,' he explained. 'It’s like a little lubricant for the pipes, I guess.' The doctor apparently agreed, noting that moderate alcohol consumption might actually help relax the throat muscles.
The revelation comes as Foo Fighters gear up to release their 12th studio album, Your Favorite Toy, out tomorrow (April 24) via Roswell Records/Columbia Records. The album has been previewed with singles including 'Asking For A Friend', the title track, 'Caught In The Echo', and 'Of All People'.
With a major stadium tour lined up for later this year, Grohl is relying on his vocal routine to keep him in shape. Whether or not whiskey is the answer for everyone, it seems to work for the rock legend.
'I drink whiskey every night before I go on stage. It’s like a little lubricant for the pipes, I guess.'