Queens Of The Stone Age on overcoming hard times, a "romance" with Dave Grohl, and what's next

Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme and Dean Fertita sat down with NME in London to open up what went into how friendship, connection, loss and hard times shaped 'In Times New Roman', a "romance" with Dave Grohl, the escapism of David Bowie, a backstage run-in with Elton John, the chances of another Iggy Pop collaboration, and why life can't always be "puppies and rainbows and ponies that swim
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[@rbat5542]

They’re definitely sounding better than ever. So tight live. Surely time for a Glastonbury headline slot on the main stage!

[@cruiserscreek]

Did you see the SFTD tour?

[@rbat5542]

@@cruiserscreek yeah, my favourite album of theirs. Think they’ve found a sweet spot with the current line up.

[@liamchapman6889]

One of the best live bands around currently!

[@chadwickwright2833]

@@liamchapman6889They’ve been great live for 25 years.

[@ericritchie6783]

They were badass until 2004...

[@XMirrorJoe]

Great to have Deano on an interview, underrated musician.

[@HouseofHypo]

That Glastonbury performance was possibly the best gig I’ve ever attended. The sound on the other stage was phenomenal.

[@joaquinandrade7406]

I'm happy of the many interviews that have been made to Josh this year including this one

[@ParisMelancholy]

loving it - so good to see and hear him! Really loved seeing Deano here as well. We are lucky they're so out there at the moment :)

[@fastsavannah7684]

In the end, I agree.

[@fastsavannah7684]

@@ParisMelancholy they want to “do it” more often now 🎉😮🎉

[@markleyshon]

great interview,Homme is a music legend,far beyond many.He's obviously matured,the new music is some of the best new music around.

[@jwiegand1022]

I saw them for the 6th time in Austin a few nights ago. As a guitar player I watch and listen to bands different than most I suppose but it's very evident they have harnessed a precision like no other. It was the best performance I've seen yet

[@xSGTxPEPPERx]

Missed them in Austin but I saw them in Houston. One of the few outfits that get better with age.

[@jamesstehle5109]

I think all musicians and a lot of music fanatic’s definitely listen to bands differently.

[@onethreefiveeye]

These boys are gifts from heaven....their mutual understanding, the deep understanding of music. Just gifts...peace and health for them and all they love. Thank you. I really love your work...🙏

[@alexisorwell1504]

We all love Queens of the Stone Age. Saw you at the 02 for the first time, having listened to you for 25 years, it was Amazing and one of the best nights of my life. Thank you for writing real and raw rock music for your fans. You’ve taken us on a musical journey with you as you say to help us escape! I’ve leant on your musical highs and lows and beautiful lyrics and they’ve helped me through. I want to thank you guys for what you do🎉❤

[@XMirrorJoe]

Qotsa will always be my life's soundtrack. I'm from Mexico and I just travelled to the UK to get Manchester and London gigs, just amazing! And I'm gonna travel Canada for the 4 Ontario dates lol I'm a big fan, keep rocking!

[@A.S.P.A.]

Best comeback of the year! Best album of the year! Welcome back, Josh. Welcome back, guys🙌

[@michellemakeupandnails]

you're fkn right you haven't lost us, we are still here!!! I can't wait to see them TONIGHT!!! I have wanted to see them since the 90s!!! I am so fkn excited

[@poopmcgee555]

It was fucking great in Irving tonight! So many songs that I was not expecting them to play. Fantastic!!

[@jobinmcgooch]

QOTSA are beyond tremendous and Josh Homme the 🐐 for real.

[@ToKtinos]

I was there at Glasto, I was there at the O2, I was there at the Royal Albert Hall and I will be there again and again and agaaaaain...great interview.

[@ChrisLoew]

Just saw them in Dallas TX Dec 10 23, best concert I have ever been to. To sound better than the albums was amazing. Love how the band is in full stride, can't wait to see them again! As has been said by many prior band members and people who get true tallent, the best band to see live!

[@matthewaldridge2335]

man, getting a slice of fucking dean, the Detroit multi-instrumentalist hero.soooowheee. plus josh is looking great

[@totalpartykill999]

i just have an endless fascination with Josh. something about his way of thinking and his songwriting just speak to me in an important way.

[@TabethaAurochs]

I very much appreciate QOTSA for making music to listen to 50+ times, every time. 🖤❤️🖤❤️I also appreciate Josh making weird faces at the camera while 🎶Fertita is talking.

[@guy8029]

I saw them for the first time at the O2, the best gig I have ever been to

[@imalright2837]

Noted. When I see them again I will be holding up a sign that says *Play Turnin on the Screw*

[@cadesfamilytime1675]

Thank you Josh for the wisdom and things you’ve learned your sharing with us fans

[@HansDelli]

I love that you asked abt the possibility of a 2nd Post Pop Depression That album made me check out Queens of the Stone Age

[@joeydrumstix]

Dean is my cousin 🙂

[@juanmoyano8419]

Fertiiiiiitaaaaa

[@ParisMelancholy]

Thanks! great interview and insights into the band - I love they says making records better and faster. Yes please! The scarfes bar is gorgeous!

[@LAVISHING]

Love this interview NME! Great interview!

[@happycanayjian1582]

Get to see them in a few months. Looking forward to it. 👍🏼

[@cadesfamilytime1675]

❤the history and stuff to see in London and Europe in general is so cool

[@billyhughes9776]

Excellent interview -- great perspective and honesty from Josh and Dean. Thanks for sharing.

[@LynnMarie_666]

Just saw them in LA - amazing ❤

[@amjh4lah809]

Love this guy. Absolutely LOVE the Queens 🤘🏻🔥🐍🎸

[@christinaroberts711]

Josh is more than a song writer. He’s a poet! Love his take on life and writing. Also love his romance with Dave. It’s produced some great music.

[@normaldaddiaryscm51]

Manchester was amazing, absolutely top of their game at the moment...

[@SuperRbert]

Perfect light!

[@derrencoles5051]

Went to first QOTSA gig last week - simply amazing.

[@loudloveen]

I saw them live in Dublin last month. They sound incredible!

[@hectorThechilldudeonacouch]

Very good interview

[@furleysbrain]

I just saw them two nights in a row in Texas. Better than ever before

[@scottduthie2912]

💯 playing better than ever! Portland, Oregon Oct.23 & Albuquerque, NM 12/12/23

[@comotuabogada]

Their last album is absolute brilliance❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@20th_century_specter]

I've always thought of Josh as music's version of Sideshow Bob. A silhouetted jester singing and speaking soliloquy in a traveling circus.

[@RataStuey]

That’s so interesting that Josh says that at the beginning.. I totally thought they were a British band when I first heard and saw “lost art of keeping a secret”

[@cindy6787]

Phenomenal musician!

[@matthews7805]

Saw them in Houston last weekend! Literally 1-1/2 hours of bangers! Best show ive seen all year!

[@michaelmccain4895]

I was there too. One of the best concerts I've ever seen going back to Elvis in the Astrodome 🤣

[@ezeldf2339]

I was there too! Killer show!

[@matthews7805]

@@michaelmccain4895 My 1st was VH with David Lee Roth at the summit in 1983. Then Maiden in 84. The Queens show reminded me of those.

[@matthews7805]

@@ezeldf2339 What did you think of Spiritualized? We only caught four songs, but the last one was great!

[@ezeldf2339]

@@matthews7805 My party and I arrived also by the last songs so I can’t really tell much about Spiritualized.

[@TheCoolhanddan83]

Fuck I love QOSTA, thanks for this sit down NME!

[@Wilderness_sip]

Songs for the deaf 2 please per rabid queens fan. Honestly the album before that accentuated my brain’s private parts more than the former. I wish for the weird and beautifulness that one creates when sitting alone drunk with an instrument. I watched a video recently of Troy for some looper pedal demo and I can’t understand for the life of me why that wasnt worked up as a queens song. Fuck it’s is as if he were auditioning for a queens spot from the get go.beautiful. Love you all I am a rando from Mississippi but I have fried many brain cells listening to you guys and I want to express my love and connection to you. Your music has been the soundtrack to my life whether the folks around me got it or not. Thank you all. Don’t fade out just yet.

[@domoVR647]

All i know is, Josh Homme rocks the contemporary world!!

[@edgehaineproductions]

Anyone else think Joshua sounds like smart butthead from the new beavis and butthead. Love his accent.

[@Youdontknowmegoaway]

Definitely still with them! Aint goin nowhere!

[@Mialamorena1]

The spontaneous outbreak of singing Dean Fertita's name like a drug ad!😂😂😂 THIS is why I love this guy. He is my favorite side piece. ( Dave being my main man) Everyone else's conversations are linear, not my ginger lover, 😍😍🥰his conversation, his answers are topical but often don't follow any logic any of us can understand. Wiggling DOES feel fucking awesome, and more to Queens music. Who else in rock has a frikking gold tooth??? Such a beautiful cacophonous mash up of a man.

[@lenor1111]

Mark Lanegan had more golden teeth

[@Mialamorena1]

@@lenor1111 Had😞

[@tonyhall3365]

Arguably the best rock band post Nirvana

[@bluechino]

Great interview. Not gonna lie, was kinda hoping to hear about TCV.

[@Dwightpower88]

JPJ is pushing 80

[@bluechino]

I'm aware. He's still active though and releasing and performing. They all did short sets at the Taylor concerts, and sounded tight. I can still hope, but they need to get on it. @@Dwightpower88

[@farmiscool1992]

josh is aging well.

[@linlee79]

Loved the healthy people lying on a hospital bed dying of nothing comment

[@user-wp4cs6eg8q]

Ughhhh why doesn’t anybody ever ask about another TCV album??! 😭

[@XeroTa1ent]

Bill Hader is in Queens now

[@marciarogal2027]

I think Dean would enjoy mudlarking on the Thames! He basically used it as a metaphor. ✨💍

[@jennahell]

Brefkiss 😌

[@ErikBlanc]

🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@richarquis]

My favourite thing about Queens is how every new album is better than every other one before it. I see/hear arguments about how this or that new song compares to SFTD. OK, cool, SFTD was amazing, I still love the hell out of it. But if you want to hear them play a song that sounds like its off that album, then take out your cd or go to your itunes playlist or whatever and play that album. Me, I wanna hear something new. THAT is what makes QOTSA so fucking special. Every new album, they reinvent themselves, they explore new directions and ideas, but somehow, you only need to listen for about 5 seconds to know it's them. They can simultaneously remain pure to who they are whilst also becoming something brand new. Every time a new Queens album comes out, it becomes my favourite, for that one simple reason. Add to that, when they play live, they always change the songs so that most of them sound nothing like the album. Fast and aggressive songs get played slow and gentle, ballads get played at high speed and volume, everything gets changed up and switched around, and it is f***ing wonderful. If I wanted to hear a band play their greatest hits that sound just like the albums, I'd go and listen to the Rolling Stones or Oasis or some other dull singalong s***. Queens are a whole other world, and that is exactly what is so damned great about them. May they never stop changing.

[@TheNoepje]

Where's Mikey Shoessszzz 👞

[@Foxhound1714]

He couldn't be there. It was his birthday.

[@TheNoepje]

@@Foxhound1714 too bad. His Sweet 16?

[@PeterZeeke]

oh, he dropped the wizard mustache

[@leenahusa1806]

I'm so sad about that 😢

[@jclark2019]

My wife said Colonel Sanders lol

[@fierazor]

I wish they would visit Asian country more often 😢

[@dylancoronell613]

"fertitaaaaaa"

[@audreyscheiner5874]

Josh is fluent in metaphors.

[@groundhogday1]

I miss the older stuff; they are a different band.

[@Jept]

I hope he's okay.... I can't tell if he looks really lean and healthy or really lean and unhealthy 😅 Saw them at the O2 and the band were incredibly tight. Here's for many years more hopefully! 🫶💪

[@CamRebires]

I had to scroll way too far for this, not sure if he's frail from his past health issues, if they're still going on, if the night before was a bit rough or if he's "just" exhausted from tour. Either way, also hoping he's alright ❤

[@2010georgian1]

Easily the best band rn

[@madarab37]

I was hoping they would ask Josh about the new ink on his hand, but I guess that's not really a music question.

[@kodyk124]

Holy cow that's a lot of timestamps on a 20min video

[@Fucktheturncoats]

Permission to wiggle was a reference to a mad fan shouting wiggle at josh.. fyi 👍

[@XMirrorJoe]

Josh is looking great, so clean, I know he keeps drinking because he said at The O2 that he was a "bit tipsy" lol but I'm sure he's not into drugs anymore (?

[@hhumh6911]

He's not, according to his recent podcast with Neal Brennan. Hopefully!

[@gerrylambert5225]

F#@k Yeah

[@jamesmason1347]

Where in London are they exactly?

[@Dwightpower88]

Upper Lowerham

[@jamesmason1347]

@@Dwightpower88 lol is there even a place called that?? 😂

[@virtualsnake1994]

homme's lookin' trim!

[@ristegocev7953]

Josh Bowie

[@snegs11]

Should’ve just named the album “In Jesuit Order Times”.

[@56Century]

I'm up for a puppies and ponies that swim album from Queens. I just can't enjoy the latest record and it's subject matter

[@Mkj8500]

I don't know if i can call it hard times. If you can't feed your self... maybe then. Maybe.

[@stephy_007]

🤌✨🖤🤍

[@tylerstamps2786]

Josh, you always seem laid back and cool with a touch of irreverence. Plus we’re both the same age. Can we be best friends and stuff?

[@Jeremya74]

He's obviously intelligent but I kinda feared that I was gonna hate josh's political thoughts until "..Your free to check these two box's, sounds like a classic minipulation .." ...I think we are on the same page..I'd still dig the music one way or the other.

[@leenahusa1806]

Permission to wiggle ❤

[@Dogge497]

Josh looks like he's barely aged for 20 years

[@crypttonite]

it’s just got to e so real, EVER HEARD OF SINGING FROM THE 3rd person!!!!! Are the butthole surfers real? the melvins? godheadSilo? tunnel of love? flamin groovies, crime?

[@lindseydavis-jordan4113]

I want a rock.

[@mkwilson38]

*wanna

[@galaxyride4944]

The rat story is from fSt and the furious PII so what the f is up with that?

[@michaelsturgeon5210]

Born in your mouth 🤪 Bournemouth fans know

[@wyattownby2886]

poo poo pee pee

[@Heisenbinks]

Your weak minds

[@mynameismattfirered9276]

the fun machine took a shit and died

[@R3TR0R4V3]

i like turtles..

[@AgentHEKTAH]

They have the best drummer and dont realize it. Theodore is a beast, tremendous talent wasted playing boring songs for kids. What the guy did for The Mars Volta proves it. Mindblowing stuff back then.

[@layniac0146]

I like the band but Josh seems like he’s all about himself. I hope his now ex wife is happy with her new guy

[@adamshields1908]

Not the greatest interviewer

[@joshfrench6426]

Music industry is dead

[@75YBA]

Just a practical question, is Josh done kicking people in the head and threatening them? You see it’s because he’s done that multiple times. I wonder if he personally apologized to those people?

[@KingCobrAIJFS]

Yeah he's done some shitty things but he's owned up to them, and is doing better as a person. Can you own up to the mistakes you've made in your own life?

[@Banach.c]

Hope you get a life!

[@brianblackwood3120]

What’s up w the stupid looking earring? Is in 1986 now?

[@galaxyride4944]

The rat story is from fSt and the furious PII so what the f is up with that?