QOTSA
Josh Homme: 5 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
Published: May 17, 2022 | Heidi
Here are 5 interesting facts about Josh Homme, the frontman and guitarist of the American stoner rock band Queens of the Stone Age
In honour of his birthday (May 17, 1973), I decided to compile a list of interesting facts about Joshito, my favourite musician of all time and the lead singer of my favourite band, Queens of the Stone Age.
1. "I was born in the desert, May 17 in '73"
(The lyrics are taken from the song: ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ – Queens of the Stone Age)
Joshua Michael Homme III was born on May 17, 1973 in Joshua Tree, California and grew up in Palm Desert, California.
2. A young Joshito initially wanted to play the drums
When his parents prohibited him from purchasing a drum kit, Josh wanted to play the drums, but he was given a guitar instead. He later quipped: “No parent will buy their 8-year-old kid drums unless they’re divorced and trying to get back at their wife.”
3. In 2009, he produced the Artctic Monkeys album 'Humbug'
Homme has made his name as a producer and was behind the desk for the majority of Arctic Monkeys’ 2009 album Humbug. He also provided backing vocals for their song ‘All My Own Stunts’ on their fourth album Suck It and See, and vocals for ‘Knee Socks’ on last year’s AM.
4. He has been involved with several other musical projects
In addition to his work with Queens of the Stone Age, Josh Homme has also been involved with several other musical projects.
Homme has collaborated with acts such as Foo Fighters, PJ Harvey, Mark Lanegan Band, Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Primal Scream, Death from Above 1979, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Biffy Clyro, and Arctic Monkeys.
Eagles of Death Metal (1998–present)
In 1998, Homme formed Eagles of Death Metal with friend Jesse Hughes as a joke band in the context of the Desert Sessions. Recordings from the band first appeared on Volumes 3 & 4, released that year. Over the next few years, Hughes settled into family life while Homme focused on Queens of the Stone Age. However, after Hughes’ separation from his wife in 2003 and a spurt in creativity that resulted in dozens of songs, Homme convinced Hughes to pursue a full-time music career. Hughes writes, sings, and plays rhythm guitar, while Homme produces, arranges, and plays drums, bass, and various other instruments
Them Crooked Vultures (2009–2010)
In July 2009, it was revealed that Homme, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) were recording together for a musical project named Them Crooked Vultures.
5. He said he "died on the table" during an operation in 2010.
After years of heavy touring and drug abuse severely weakened his immune system, he contracted an MRSA infection during surgery. In an attempt to restart his immune system, surgeons used a breathing tube which became stuck in his throat, choking him and leading to cardiac arrest.
Speaking to music magazine NME he said: “It gave me great perspective, and it’s amazing to be alive.”
Homme added “I was stuck in a room for four months and I had all these tubes in my leg,” he said. “And it was painful. And after two months in bed you go, ‘I’ve got two months left. How do I do this?’ It did the greatest thing it could ever do to me: It zeroed me . . . And I’m really thankful for it because I know what’s important.”
He explained how he coped with contracting MRSA, a staph infection that can resist antibiotics, and being declared legally dead after choking on oxygen tubes during surgery. The incident delayed the making of Queens’ latest album, this year’s . . . Like Clockwork, which was the band’s first since 2007.
Homme said it took him a couple of years to recover fully from the experience as he dealt with a number of what he called “rickety” emotions.
Here’s a playlist I put together of some of my favourite Queens of the Stone Age songs: click here and scroll down a little.