Josh Homme: The Chuck Norris Of Rock & Roll

Josh Homme is a bad mutha-(shutchyo' mouth!). I've been saving this topic but it's time to play my trump card in light of Hutch's last post. All the formulaic B.S. in today's music has not touched this man, Josh Homme. The founder of Queens Of The Stone Age still has the rock scene on its back, waiting for a belly rub. The damn shame is anyone looking for quality like Homme's various projects has to look under rocks to find it. It's at least comforting listeners like myself have educated themselves on where to go to find good music (XM Radio, youtube, etc.) because you sure as hell aren't going to find it on the "machine" Hutch referred to (MTV, VH1, etc.) . Thank God for ipods...

Josh Homme started his first band, Kyuss, at the age of 15 in 1988 as lead guitarist. By the time the band got much of a following grunge had erupted & the band called it quits in 1995 after trying to run parallel with the Seattle scene. Kyuss was a desert "generator" band from the So. Cal & found acceptance hard to come by as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, & Soundgarden dominated the early 90's scene. Homme considered quitting music, but stayed true to his roots tinkering with his first of many side projects know as the Desert Sessions. Spawning from these experimental jam sessions that actually took place out in the middle of the desert was Queens Of The Stone Age and later on Eagles Of Death Metal.

Queens Of The Stone Age kicked off a string of widely acclaimed albums in 1998. "Queens Of The Stone Age," "R," "Songs For The Deaf," "Lullabies To Paralyze," & "Era Vulgaris" make up a now formidable catalog of music Homme has tailored to his own tastes - a little less dark than Kyuss, a little less happy than EODM, but altogether hard-driving, rump-shaking rock & roll that sounds better the louder it's played. Homme states in an interview that "music is a pleasure device. It's as selfish an activity to make it as it is to enjoy." That's how it ought to be, not seeking approval from a trio of twits like American Idol. QOTSA has an ever-evolving lineup that has included grat musicians such as Nick Oliveri, Mark Lannegan, Troy van Leeuwen, Joey Castillo, & the even the great Dave Grohl at home on the drums and has made their mark through great musicianship & live performances. Now on to the really good stuff...

...Eagles of Death Metal is the vision of Homme & fellow Desert Sessioneer Jesse "The Devil" Hughes. Overtly & decadently (is that a word Mr. Webster?) chauvinistic, EODM is the band every heterosexual male dreams about being in. Hughes is on guitar & vocals while Homme (aka Carlo VanSexron or Baby Duck) plays the drums for EODM while not touring with QOTSA. All you need to do is listen to the lyrics or catch a video - these guys are the coolest cats around. Paula Abdul would not be able to keep her clothes on, let alone vote EODM off of Idol. A guilty pleasure for Homme this project must be without a doubt - but this is what starting a rock & roll band is all about, am I not right?

You can not categorize the music of Josh Homme. Everything I read links him to "stoner rock" or "stoner metal" - whatever the hell that means. I don't smoke dope and I like his work just fine. Kyuss maybe I can see, but QOTSA & EODM have their own distinct styles even. It is what it is, and it ain't getting played on the radio or television unless you catch a late night performance (or a commercial or two - EODM has several advertisers using their music). And basically, if you don't like it that's OK too, just stay out of Homme's face about it or you might get a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the back of your head. Hear that, Simon Cowell...you f'ing pig?