Foo Fighters dispel breakup rumors in online spoof

Foo Fighters, one of the defining acts of the 1990s alternative rock boom, had become a trending topic on social media Wednesday after stating sternly that they would soon make an "official band announcement."

Late in the day, Foo Fighters released a seven-minute video on YouTube with repeated – but, on closer look, over-the-top – suggestions that the band is over.

The video ends with a caption that reads: "For the millionth time, we're not breaking up."

The video opens with a parody interview of frontman Dave Grohl – earlier the drummer of grunge legends Nirvana – as the 47-year-old is told that the younger generation is all about electronic music.

"One button? One finger?" Grohl asks incredulously on what he needs to do to play electronica, as he blows on his hand to warm it up and heads to a keyboard.

Meanwhile, the other band members convene to find a new singer and jot down an audition list to include Justin Bieber and the Canadian pop celebrity's new electronic producer, Diplo.

Finally Nick Lachey, best known for the late 1990s boy band 98 Degrees, enters the studio and offers a rousing rendition of Foo Fighters hit "Everlong."

The band apparently decided to raise expectations of a breakup and put on the spoof after drummer Taylor Hawkins, speaking at an event around the Grammy Awards, said that Foo Fighters needed a break.

Despite the denial of a breakup, it remains unclear when Foo Fighters will perform again.

The band ended an extensive tour in November and released a free EP dedicated to victims of the November 13 terror attacks in Paris as it hinted at a hiatus.