Interpol Debut New Song Live as Drummer Sam Fogarino Recovers From Surgery

Interpol unveiled a new song called "See Out Loud" during a March 19 concert at São Paulo's Audio venue, with Urian Hackney behind the kit in place of longtime drummer Sam Fogarino, who is still recovering from spinal surgery he underwent in 2023. The band played the track again the following night at Lollapalooza Brasil, marking the second live outing for what appears to be their first new material since 2022's The Other Side of Make-Believe.

The most notable wrinkle in the song itself: guitarist Daniel Kessler takes the lead vocal, a rare move for a band where Paul Banks has always owned the mic. Kessler and Banks trade lines throughout, and the track leans hard into Interpol's dancier instincts, described by Consequence as sounding like "a disco-tinged Antics deep cut." Fan-captured footage from both the Audio show and Lollapalooza Brasil has been circulating online since the debut.

Fogarino's absence has been the band's ongoing logistical reality since his spinal surgery forced him off the road. He missed the 2024 Antics 20th anniversary tour entirely, and in 2024 told fans that despite a successful recovery he was still "dealing with continued health issues." Chris Broome of The Armed stepped in as the live drummer through much of that stretch. For the current North and South American run, which kicked off in Miami on March 7, the band announced on Instagram on March 5 that Hackney would be joining them on drums. "In the meantime, we are honoured to inform you that we will be sharing the stage with Urian Hackney on drums," the band wrote. "Look him up. He's amazing."

Hackney responded in the comments: "Will do my best to honour brother [Fogarino] on the kit!" The drummer brings serious credentials to the gig. He co-founded the punk band Rough Francis in 2008 with his brothers Bobby Jr. and Julian, has recorded and toured with The Armed, and has sat behind the kit for Iggy Pop, Trash Talk, and Converge. On March 22, Hackney posted an Instagram clip of himself playing Interpol's "Obstacle 1," demonstrating the kind of homework you put in when you're stepping into a 25-year groove.

The band was careful to clarify that Fogarino's touring absence doesn't mean he was cut out of the creative process. "Whilst Sam played and co-wrote the new record with us, he is still not available to join us for the time being," the Instagram post read. Representatives confirmed as far back as August 2024 that Fogarino was involved in recording despite his health situation. Frontman Paul Banks, asked about the new material in September 2024, didn't hold back: "Pretty great, to be honest with you. I'm pretty pumped about the stuff that we have worked on so far. That's all I can really say: it's an enthusiastic 'yes'. It's pretty cool."

After finishing the South American run, Interpol will play west coast US dates around their Coachella appearance in April, then spend the remainder of 2026 touring the UK, Europe, and Australia. No release date or album title for the new record has been announced.