Josh Homme on Queens of The Stone Age, Taylor Hawkins, and his debt to polka

Queens of the Stone Age’s latest album, “In Times New Roman,” is their most raw and personal record to date. It chronicles a series of struggles experienced by the band’s lead singer, Josh Homme, including his public divorce and custody battle, the loss of several close friends, and his surgery to remove cancer. He tells Tom how he reflects on his spirituality after facing so many hardships, how his first guitar teacher taught him polka, and why he wanted to play “Let's Dance” by David Bowie at Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert.
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Q with Tom Power is a daily conversation with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define this cultural moment in time. The conversation is informal, wide-ranging, playful, and allows the artist to explore their art and the contexts that have shaped them through their career. Visit www.cbc.ca/Q for more!
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[@Michael-cb3uw]

I see Josh Homme anything, I click

[@guitarandmore69]

Intriguing dude for sure.

[@Clss09isthbst]

Same! I love listening to and watching his interviews. He’s so interesting.

[@vanessacherche6393]

good strat, never disappoints

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

For a guy who reportedly has done a lot of drugs he looks really good.

[@pattonPwr]

Fanboy

[@theroguerider]

What I admire most about Josh is how honest is and how he doesn’t seem to hold back on how he feels. It comes through in his music so clearly.

[@te9591]

Even though he has a history of violence, fast living, and drugs ive always felt he comes off very thoughtful, and feel he's misunderstood. At my first impressions.

[@theroguerider]

@@te9591 very true. A NASTY temper. I remember him whipping a shoe at the crowd once. I think he’s grown a lot behind a lot of mistakes and even more tragedy.

[@te9591]

@loipcorssman ultimately, if you dont respect boundaries with people you can begin to enter a state of social cannibalism, and by that, i mean acts of disrespect take away from what could be friendships.

[@mikehemens9359]

@@te9591 "History of violence" come on buddy. He booted a woman, square in the face. -He appeared pretty sober when he did it too. This happened in the last 5 or so years! Watch this comment get deleted cause I guess cbc condones this. They had a nice little work atmosphere happening down there with Gomeshi.

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

Hes ginger! What do you expect?!😳🤷‍♂️🤣🤣

[@Sab_MJsMama]

This man has aged like fine wine. You can see how mellowed he become. Life does that to you but you can see how humbled but self reflectively he's gotten. He's in a great place.🙏🙏

[@charlie-girl72]

this is a very intelligent, kind, broken,sensitive creative talented man who needs a shoulder. wonderful guy

[@slasheroid]

not just my favorite musician, but also my favorite musician to listen to him talk

[@trappedinbasement]

Any other abuser that u Dig?

[@slasheroid]

yes your father@@trappedinbasement

[@slavinicus]

i love how he dances about architecture

[@SARASUKSMYKOK]

RKELLY FOR ME​@@trappedinbasement

[@trappedinbasement]

@@slasheroid My father never humiliated his "best friends" like Josh did countless times in public, he never kicked photographers in the face, he never pushed his own fans off the stage and made fun of them afterwards, my father never used the power of money to keep his own children see the mother who raised them basically alone while he was on the road

[@eracli0]

Good lord what an inspiration for growing older. He just looks better and better with age.

[@uneedborda]

Josh is a cool guy. When I was doing college radio in 1998, I interviewed him at Chicago's The Empty Bottle and he talked with him on the floor for thirty minutes with my little audio recorder. I am glad he is doing well after what he went through.

[@startervisions]

do you have that recording?

[@startervisions]

thank you for sharing!

[@uneedborda]

@@startervisions no, unfortunately. It was so long ago that the tech was so different. It was mostly a discussion about Kyuss, what he did during and after that band, and him going to college for a short time to figure out what was next to him.

[@startervisions]

@@uneedborda must have been 1996...right before he joined Screaming Trees...in 1998 he was recording the first QOTSA album...lucky you though my man how cool is that lol

[@uneedborda]

@@startervisions actually the first album was released on Loosegrove Records, Stone Gossard's label, in September of 1998. It was a cold winter night in Chicago when I interviewed him. I'll never forget it. If you look up their discography it states the release year and month. I do know it was re-released later by another label.

[@Avlis_music]

Interviewer lets him think and i like that. He speaks comfortably and that gets us more openness. Little gems in here. Cheers!

[@Man_Ray78]

My favorite artist for the last 25 years. When he talked about writing lyrics about a snippet in time, an introvert image, but then discovering parts of oneself, look at dark night of the soul, and seeing a new angles of what that frozen moment was about, was so cool. I think he's a rare kind. Not many can continue to create and innovate like Josh has.

[@ganjjabarsmedium2347]

Like Clockwork got me through one of the darkest periods of my life. I appreciate Josh Homme so much for giving us the music of uncertainty that expressed the pain we were going through. Thank you Josh for the vulnerability and the amazing music 🤘🤟

[@ricardonacif5426]

🤘🤘

[@MarkisDavidson-ti4lg]

Same.. the album arrived like a soundtrack of my life at the time. I'm sure you know exactly about the magic I'm speaking of.

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

around 2012 / 2013 ?

[@Goldtop411]

Saw them last night and man....Always liked them, but seeing them live took them to a whole new level for me...Josh blew me away. Such a great frontman. He has a unique gift of involving everyone into the show in a way that I've never experienced before.

[@BrittanyStewart-ni4sc]

He is very good looking.

[@thebrokes]

This man is a treasure. He has given us so much incredible art.

[@BigHeartMusicOfficial]

Josh is indeed spiritual. If youve ever been to one his shows, you feel it. He is practically glowing when he gets into the zone. That is an energy you can feel. Its mountainous. Its awe inspiring and scary, funny, and somehow also light at times. I remember the first time my girlfriend and I saw him walk onto the stage in San Francisco. The moment he walked out it felt like everything was in slow motion. It was by design. The tempos and melodic choices he makes are inspired by spirituality. Those generator parties, the ideology of his youth, etc. are all products of the desert. Its a place of profound spirituality. Its not like that punk mentality just came out of nowhere. It’s a real strain of spirituality. It’s instantly hypnotic, and you look up at him and he is embodying that. It’s wild. Grohl has that quality too. I call it the blue aura. Its extremely rare.

[@Matt.E9480]

Well put! He is other worldly. In the presence of greatness a true musical genius, rock god. I was tripping watching him. And l wasn't on anything to encourage that 🤘

[@UlfHaukenesWhiteWolfAlchemy]

Indubitable dear Watson.

[@Greatdanezoey]

Thank you Josh, for what you have done for others. Meeting Mario and being a friend. The musician that started generator parties. Sometimes when we reach the bottom we bounce up. Your work is amazing !

[@restlessyouthproductions]

Of any rock star I've seen over the years mature over time, Josh looks absolutely great and healthy. His skin is very clear and has a lot of youthful vitality to it. He's genetically gifted. The others from his generation all look varying degrees of burned out and aged....

[@Daddy53751]

In a true sense, I think there’s a good argument to be made that QOTSA is one of the most important bands of the last 25 years.

[@dhammaboy1203]

Homme still looks so cool! Aging gracefully!

[@Droxcy]

Josh has grown so humble and it's hard not to want to emulate everything about him.

[@jturquoise]

Like kicking photographers?

[@Droxcy]

@@jturquoise Relax, it was 7 years ago, and he's already apologized. Stop holding grudges against others for your whole life that's miserable.

[@sidvicious332]

I love people who hate on Josh. You can tell they obviously hate their own life. So transparent lol.

[@marialeduque8827]

I love how Josh is not afraid to express his emotions, that is what makes him unique, QOTSA is an amazing band and deserves all the love in the world, their music has been with me through all my moods and both good and bad times edit: I think I am completely in love with the man he has become

[@Fzldn]

He is so genuine, passionate about his music and soulful. Love hearing him.

[@jturquoise]

Kicking photographers is super soulful and heartfelt! A true compassionate man!

[@meinsley]

I bet the shrooms helped 😅

[@sidvicious332]

Yeah, he did biker meth, its where he came from, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. He is still one of the most grounded solid and most authentic musicians of our time. Haters gonna hate because they hate their own lives. Ignore the jealous. They're less than nothing.

[@Fzldn]

@@jturquoise you still on this? it was one person, a mistake and he apologised a few times. Maybe time to move on, or do you agree with people holding grudges on you despite making amends for a mistake you made?

[@jturquoise]

@@Fzldn you don’t kick somebody by mistake Simp

[@2mupke96]

There music means a lot to me. I lost my dad after a battle of 7 months cancer in 2017. He was not only my dad but he was my best friend. In that year Villains came out, It saved me from depression after loss. Last year I lost my best friend, who helped me after my sweet dad passed away. Then again.... In Times New Roman came out...... 🙏 I will always be thankful for Qotsa there music always let me see the light in my darkest days ❤ so thank you!

[@LizetteBetancourt333]

@2mupke96 Oh wow sames, Villians pulled me through so e Gargoyle saved mi life..missin Lanegan. Classics. Glad you mentioned Villians. Be safe. See you at a show one day x

[@J5R0D]

This is one of the best interviews with Josh I’ve seen. The man and the music have grown, and I’m growing with them both. I remain convinced that he and I would be best friends.

[@bcjames6235]

Qotsa is my absolute favourite band. Their ability to put out albums across the decades that are all so distinctive yet still so queens is what sets them apart.

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

Just a beautiful monster of a rockstar🫡

[@lornamackenzie2525]

I could listen to Josh Homme talk all day long.

[@silviopimentel7247]

Josh is the most creative rocker of our generation. I feel so bad I'm missing this tour since they're not coming to Toronto 😢

[@jturquoise]

😂😂😂😂

[@echase416]

Saw an ad they’re playing in Kingston ON, if that’s an option.

[@chrismoore3999]

Also playing in Oshawa!

[@peachmelba1000]

I have to work the night they play in Halifax. I've seen them three times before though.

[@veronicaramirez5326]

Katzenjammer, Sons of Kyuss and Kyuss were the names of his first bands. We as teenagers out here in the desert followed them everywhere they played all over the desert landscape powered by generators it was a beautiful experience, thank you ♥️

[@coreykmvy1980]

You’re still here? Me too but I missed it by a couple of years. My older sister was there though

[@markwilliams_1975]

Josh is quite obviously a Genius. KYUSS is my fave band. A rebel with a cause. He has matured like a fine wine. What a beautiful mind & musician.

[@PrickLebec]

This will be my fourth time seeing them April 10 and the second for my son. One of our all time favourites. 🤘🏻

[@LizetteBetancourt333]

Kewl! Enjoy, you e your son! Great Dad! Keepin it RnRoll! Have fun!x

[@PrickLebec]

@@LizetteBetancourt333 Thank you and we definitely will! My sons wants to hear I’m designer live. It was the first one that caught his ear. They did it on the clockwork tour when I saw them. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[@ragequit4]

They played it here in Adelaide Australia this tour, first time since 2017 they had done so. Tbh I wasn't sure what song it was at the time, fingers crossed you hear it. The sound was phenomenal.

[@ragequit4]

Then I saw them out having a drink and had a quick chat with Troy and Jon, Josh was high on shrooms so left pretty early haha

[@spaycehoppa]

I was at Wembley for the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert. Amazing day. Very emotional. Josh sounded great.

[@cecilyjsmusicvideos7619]

Josh has held onto the spark of life and music so well. Love him and Queens!

[@lahaza6515]

Dude lucked out in the hair dept. Time for a cameo in one of those new Viking shows.

[@te9591]

He's looking very Dutch.

[@chazzmccloud36]

He was great in Portlandia

[@joepuls1284]

Right I have tried to replicate numerous times and FAIL each time

[@peachmelba1000]

​@te9591 His family name is Norwegian, and he's like 6'5". Definitely fits that mold.

[@kristatimmons4307]

Hes a ginger, they don't go bald

[@abbierose92]

homme aged like fine wine

[@danwealton3025]

I love how thoughtful this rebel has become. Always inspiring to listen to.

[@jaysindefransisco1118]

An thank Gawd he's cancer free.. we can't lose you yet Josh.. you help make this fuct up world, a much better place. Thank you for making my life a little better.

[@41663]

Yep dude is a visionary , fighter , lover human being who is on our level observing and learning expressing thru his art. Music

[@tyeblee23]

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received about music is from this man.” You have to love it! “Making music” you can’t expect anything from it, you have to do it because you love it. & “Never say you made it” thank you for the interview.

[@ricardosalcedo2824]

I took my 12 years old to the Halifax show last week. It was f#ckin fantastic! My first concert was GnR when I was 15. I felt like taking my son to see QOTSA age would be a similar experience for him. I love this band. I love their compositions. I love Josh's weird song writing and great voice. The individual band members are all fantastic and interesting in their own right. Thanks Josh and the rest of the band for all of the good music you've given us.

[@MrTee3three]

"Music is the amplification of the part of you that's different" Brilliant...

[@theendisnigh6673]

JH is one of the greatest genuine real rock artists left he's a fucken genius guru of the last 3 decades. One of the last real performing artists, may he continue to make music inspire and ROCK!

[@cadesfamilytime1675]

I love his openness and vulnerability ❤

[@joannas7927]

This was a fantastic interview! Having just seen Queens last night in Ottawa was an amazing and connected experience. This conversation beautifully complemented the show. Thank you!

[@gergonikk]

Tom is my favorite interviewer and Josh is an amazing musician and refreshingly honest person. Loving this!

[@swaglord3076]

This interview was absolutely incredible! Thank you Josh! Can't wait to see you in Oshawa on April 8th!

[@lahlia]

REALLY enjoyed this interview. Great questions. Ample space for him to talk and open up. Thanks. I really appreciated watching that.

[@sipnscoot3049]

I use to play with Kyuss in Indio back in the days. I’m. JT native. Played House of Brews. Miss that place😢

[@liquorsimo]

Woooowwww ! Cool!🤟🤟🤟

[@yukimaruzam]

I know nothing of Tom Power, but it looks like he realizes he is having the most incredible interview of his life.

[@Bradenmadebeats]

Well said @ 11:30! No one balances hard nosed masculinity with soft empathy quite like Josh Homme! Thanks so much for being a diehard, honest artist 🙌👏🤘

[@patriciamitchell247]

Fabulous interview. How can you NOT love Josh!

[@elli0122]

I hope Josh Homme knows just how much his music and his work has affected so so many of us. It's incredible the impact he's had through his journey in this industry. His music has made an incredible impact on the rock community at large. There is no band like QOTSA.

[@lunaestelle6699]

Hat off for the host! Great interview❤

[@danveneziano565]

What I think is the best thing that any band or musician can strive for is to have a sound of their own and Josh has achieved that.

[@peppino1961]

I've always thought Josh Homme was a great frontman and liked his music but have a deeper respect for him now. He's been through a lot the last few years and has managed to come out of it with a great outlook on things. Great live band as well.

[@peterdaigle4772]

Love the gold cap. Seeing these guys for the first time on April 17 in hali.

[@Niki_Hydn]

I love that Josh is always so profound and so insightful when he talks. I've never heard anyone, other than him, speak that way before. I could listen to him talk all day 🖤

[@DylTyrril]

What a brilliant and insightful conversation. Josh is such an open book of wisdom and an affable storyteller. So very much looking forward to seeing Queens in a couple of weeks!

[@gkexx]

Such a nice guy, so creative with empathy, feelings & emotions a rare and natural talent!

[@sherbucks]

i really love your outlook @Josh Homme, I feel like you are allowing everything to channel through you on stage

[@nemusys]

Josh's cam view is just beautiful, best ever. It's like you're there

[@charlottesghost2845]

Love Josh and QOTSA. Great interview.

[@kroniterock9282]

Love ya, Josh. What a trip, man… thank you for sharing your evolution.

[@sledneck1902]

Great interview! All the best Josh on your journey. Keep rocking....what you do matters.

[@user-rm8dx6ct5w]

recovery wins. be here now. don't future trip don't shut the door on the past, but don't live in it. let go

[@JimDuggan-tq2lv]

Great interview absolutely love Josh. Btw, Taylor didn't play on Jagged Little Pill, he just joined for the touring band.

[@skodty]

I've been lucky enough to see QOTSA over half a dozen times, from small clubs to huge fairgrounds. It was always a great time. They're so tight, and the music seems to flow from them effortlessly.

[@aaronbickford8725]

Amazingly great interview! Best one I’ve seen with Homme by far.

[@franksamara1815]

So much of his music has gotten me through some of my darkest times. "Fortress" reminds me of my late mother as it came out in the summer when we found out she had cancer and she'd be gone a little over a year later. I knew her fortress would be caving, and I wished I could make her safe in mine while knowing all along all I could do was care for her and give her my love for the time she had left on this earth. And that's pretty much all we can do for anyone, and hope that perhaps someone will care enough about us to do the same. Life is short! QOTSA has been my favorite band since I first heard "If Only" on WSOU (Seton Hall Pirate Radio) late in 1998. Still feels like yesterday and those 25-plus years have flown by so fast...scary fast! Anyway, thanks to Josh for so much great music in that time period...yeah, it gets me by...and will continue to do so until it is time to say "goodbye."

[@dirttrackdemons5396]

This guy is just a legend. Imagine a desert gig in the middle of Australia.🤘

[@sword649]

Another great bunch of time spent listening to a thoughtful sharing thinker, who also plays a mean guitar that will kill you with love, thanks brother Josh! 🦁🐯🐺🐻🦢🐞

[@ndesdsadfd]

You can see the growth in him lately...bless this guy.

[@nickiredzone1977]

Champion guy..champion performer. Champion human. Champion musician.

[@josephnadwodny154]

What a great interview, so glad this popped up thank you for this. Josh has such an original outlook on his writing and is such a great guy. I can’t wait for the next chapter.

[@therealjeffstein]

Great job with the interview and Josh is aging just wonderfully. Wisdom for days.

[@kellycoe1787]

“Not dead yet”… absolutely . Every time I hear Josh do an interview its mesmerizing.. HIs honesty and insight has been so great to hear. As always.. great interview Tom… and Josh

[@jj5022]

Going to see qotsa with my dad is one of my favorite memories

[@SoundMindFilms]

What I love about interviews and behind the scenes is when you realize Artists or Musicians who you feel a “kinship” with listening to their music… is to a big degree confirmed when they in their own words state the thoughts, philosophies etc that are “commonalities” between them and you… Hello Mr.Homme…!!!

[@swaglord3076]

I am taking my son for his 19th birthday to see Queens. Feel so lucky that we share the same love of music. Oshawa, April 8th 2024. Can't wait!!!! What an amazing opportunity to share thus moment with my son. Thank you!!!

[@Vanoffy]

Josh has a great soul it is hard losing people. Been listening since Rated R and born one day before him. Raised by a homebuilder father also. Small world!

[@Shroomdiffnuclear]

Gonna watch QOTSA this july in Zagreb for the 3rd time. ❤ The only band that still matters.

[@jacobfield4848]

Very honest interview.

[@Risran]

The show in Halifax was f**king incredible! Best live show I saw in a long time. I too will turn to Queens when times get rough out of reflex. Love this guy

[@marionfarrell1716]

He is absolutely one of my favourite people.

[@moondove1822]

When the interviewer said people go to QOTSA music when they are going thru hard times, I 100% agree!! I knew their music but never really got into it until a year or two ago when i lost a few family members, and my relationship of 2 years ended. I started to listen to their stuff, and I instantly felt better.

[@jobinmcgooch]

Josh Homme the 🐐 for real

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

Listening to Like Clockwork has helped me get through the toughest times about a decade ago when I had to do a lot of spackling and sanding for weeks.

[@komoleeray687]

took me a while to get used to it, but i'm loving Josh's look these days, rocking the beard and with the glasses ..best he's looked in a while , which kind of ties in with a certain happiness it seems ( to those outside) despite all he's gone through in recent times..

[@montesagold]

Knocking off his buddy Jesse’s deal but I’m alright by it

[@mywickedqueen3547]

I could listen to him talk for hours. 😍

[@tommoore3292]

Josh has such a way with words

[@IbrahZebra]

Dude as far as rawness and having ALL or MOST of your personal bs just out there in the open and to be able to write, compose and sing about it. Much respect to Joshyy

[@jsauce311]

Kind of wild I get the most song theme ideas from listening to Josh homme interviews

[@peterleray6084]

GenX mastering something by not following the rules. Love it.

[@TwangnDreadmusic]

Great interview. Great guest. Great host.

[@jessicaburns2691]

I LOVE YOU JOSH!! You speak to my soul. As someone that was foraged through fire I feel so connected to you on this wander through life ♥️

[@thomyoung17]

Great interview...love the new album

[@goognostic]

Thanks for all you share Josh. Great interview Tom.

[@purpleman1974]

It´s so good to see him in such fantastic shape. And I am not even talking about his incredible present QOTSA shows, close to the best he´s ever performed, but his mind and looks. It seems like he´s been able to lower debauchery to a mature level and not get sucked into a R N´R star vortex, something he was really too close not so long ago.

[@AndyStochanskyMusic]

Wow what a great interview!

[@EasyHeat]

Homme is like some long lost FK'd up cousin. One I never fully got to connect or jam with, but I completely get him when he rambles. It's peculiar AF, but also feels soo familiar. I just somehow get it. 400%

[@rhiannongraham63]

Knowing how far Josh has come in music and life inspires me. I first listened to Josh when he was in Kyuss and his playing has grown explanentually. Just awesome.

[@titusbc]

Saw these guys in Vancouver last year. First time seeing them and it wont be my last. Amazing show.