Josh Homme stands as one of rock music’s most versatile and influential figures. While he’s best known as the frontman of Queens of the Stone Age the talented musician has lent his distinctive sound and creative energy to numerous other musical projects throughout his career.
From his early desert rock days with Kyuss to collaborations with rock legends like Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones in Them Crooked Vultures Homme’s musical footprint extends far beyond a single band. His unique guitar style and production techniques have helped shape the sound of modern rock music while his various side projects showcase his remarkable ability to cross genres and push creative boundaries.
Josh Homme Other Bands
Josh Homme’s musical career began in Palm Desert, California during the late 1980s. His distinctive sound emerged from the desert’s underground music scene.
Kyuss and the Desert Rock Movement
Homme co-founded Kyuss at age 14 in 1987, initially named Katzenjammer then Sons of Kyuss. The band pioneered the desert rock sound through unique recording techniques:
Playing through bass amplifiers for deeper guitar tones
Organizing generator parties in remote desert locations
Recording four influential albums between 1991-1995
Developing signature down-tuned guitar riffs
Kyuss Album
Release Year
Label
Wretch
1991
Dali Records
Blues for the Red Sun
1992
Dali Records
Welcome to Sky Valley
1994
Elektra Records
…And the Circus Leaves Town
1995
Elektra Records
Eagles of Death Metal Origins
Eagles of Death Metal emerged in 1998 as a collaboration between Homme and Jesse Hughes. The project established key characteristics:
Hughes handles lead vocals while Homme plays drums
Created a signature blend of garage rock with blues elements
Released their first album “Peace, Love, Death Metal” in 2004
Maintained a rotating lineup of musicians
Built recognition through high-energy live performances
The band’s formation stemmed from Homme teaching Hughes to play guitar during their early friendship in Palm Desert. Their musical partnership produced four studio albums between 2004-2015.
Queens of the Stone Age Success Story
Queens of the Stone Age emerged as Josh Homme’s primary musical venture in 1996, following Kyuss’s dissolution. The band transformed from an underground rock project into a globally recognized force in alternative rock music.
Rise to Mainstream Recognition
Queens of the Stone Age achieved critical acclaim with their 2000 breakthrough album “Rated R,” featuring hit singles “The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret” and “Feel Good Hit of the Summer.” Their commercial peak arrived with 2002’s “Songs for the Deaf,” which earned platinum certification and produced chart-topping singles “No One Knows” and “Go with the Flow.” The band’s subsequent albums—”Lullabies to Paralyze” (2005), “Era Vulgaris” (2007), and “…Like Clockwork” (2013)—each debuted in Billboard’s top 15.
Album
Year
Peak Chart Position
Certification
Rated R
2000
#16 UK
Gold (UK)
Songs for the Deaf
2002
#17 US
Platinum (US)
…Like Clockwork
2013
#1 US
Gold (US)
Notable Collaborations Within QOTSA
Queens of the Stone Age’s rotating lineup featured prominent musicians including Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) on drums for “Songs for the Deaf” and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) as recurring vocalist between 2000-2005. The band’s collaborations expanded with contributions from Trent Reznor on “…Like Clockwork” and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) on backing vocals. Troy Van Leeuwen joined as lead guitarist in 2002, establishing himself as a permanent fixture alongside Homme in the band’s core lineup.
Them Crooked Vultures Supergroup
Them Crooked Vultures united three rock icons: Josh Homme, Dave Grohl, and John Paul Jones. The supergroup emerged in 2009, combining elements of hard rock, alternative metal, and progressive rock.
Formation with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones
Them Crooked Vultures formed through Dave Grohl’s initiative to collaborate with Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. The trio first gathered in Los Angeles during July 2009 for secret recording sessions. Their public debut occurred at Chicago’s Metro on August 9, 2009, followed by surprise appearances at European festivals. The band released their self-titled debut album on November 16, 2009, through Interscope Records.
Album Details
Release Information
Album Name
Them Crooked Vultures
Release Date
November 16, 2009
Label
Interscope Records
Peak Chart Position
#12 US Billboard 200
Notable Singles
“New Fang,” “Mind Eraser, No Chaser”
Musical Style and Impact
Them Crooked Vultures created a distinctive sound by combining:
Heavy guitar riffs from Homme
Complex bass lines from Jones
Powerful drumming from Grohl
The band’s music featured:
Drop C tuning on guitars
Extended instrumental sections
Multi-layered compositions
Progressive rock arrangements
Blues-influenced passages
Their album received critical acclaim for:
Technical proficiency
Innovative song structures
Seamless blend of each member’s signature style
Raw production quality
Dynamic live performances
Modern rock production techniques
Alternative metal songwriting
Progressive rock revival
Supergroup formation trends
Side Projects and Collaborations
Josh Homme’s creative portfolio extends beyond his main bands through numerous collaborative projects. His contributions to the music industry encompass experimental recording sessions collective endeavors to production work for established artists.
Desert Sessions Collective
Desert Sessions represents a rotating collective of musicians founded by Homme in 1997 at Rancho De La Luna studio. The project released 10 volumes between 1997 and 2003 featuring collaborations with PJ Harvey Twiggy Ramirez Mark Lanegan. Notable tracks from these sessions include “Make It Wit Chu” which later appeared on Queens of the Stone Age’s “Era Vulgaris” album. The series resumed in 2019 with Volumes 11 & 12 featuring collaborations with Billy Gibbons Les Claypool Mike Kerr.
Homme’s Production Work
Homme’s production credits include significant contributions across multiple genres spanning two decades. His production portfolio includes:
Artist
Album
Year
Notable Achievement
Arctic Monkeys
Humbug
2009
UK #1 Album
Iggy Pop
Post Pop Depression
2016
Grammy Nomination
Royal Blood
Royal Blood
2014
UK #1 Debut
The Desert Sessions
Vols. 11 & 12
2019
Top 40 Rock Charts
Recording instruments through multiple amplifiers simultaneously
Using natural room acoustics for ambient effects
Implementing unconventional microphone placement
Incorporating vintage recording equipment
Layering multiple guitar tracks with varied tunings
Personal Musical Style and Legacy
Josh Homme’s distinctive musical identity combines heavy guitar riffs with melodic sensibilities, creating a signature sound that spans multiple genres. His technical proficiency and innovative approach have influenced modern rock music through three decades of groundbreaking work.
Signature Guitar Sound
Homme’s guitar technique features down-tuned C standard tuning paired with precise palm muting to create his characteristic thick riffs. His playing incorporates:
Repetitive rhythmic patterns influenced by Krautrock bands like Can
Custom Motorave guitars with P90 pickups for increased midrange presence
Unique effects chain combinations using Ovation Preacher amplifiers
Intricate chord voicings that emphasize dissonant intervals
Palm-muted power chords mixed with angular lead lines
Equipment Component
Specification
Primary Guitar
Motorave Scale Model
Tuning
C Standard (C-F-Bb-Eb-G-C)
Amplification
Ampeg VT-40 & Ovation Preacher
Effects
Boss RV-5 Reverb, Way Huge Fat Sandwich
Created the “robot rock” subgenre through mechanical precision rhythms
Pioneered desert rock production techniques using natural echo chambers
Influenced artists like Arctic Monkeys Royal Blood through his production work
Established the generator party format for outdoor concerts
Developed collaborative recording methods through Desert Sessions
Notable Artists Influenced
Primary Impact Area
Arctic Monkeys
Production Style
Royal Blood
Guitar Tone
Foo Fighters
Songwriting Structure
Mastodon
Riff Construction
Josh Homme’s Early Musical Journey
Josh Homme’s musical journey stands as a testament to his extraordinary versatility and innovation in rock music. His work spans multiple successful bands projects and collaborations that have left an indelible mark on the genre. From the desert rock foundations of Kyuss to the mainstream success of Queens of the Stone Age and the supergroup dynamics of Them Crooked Vultures Homme has consistently pushed creative boundaries.
Through his distinctive guitar style production techniques and willingness to experiment across genres he’s helped shape modern rock music. The lasting impact of his various musical ventures continues to influence new generations of artists making him one of rock’s most significant figures of the past three decades.
