:Queens of the Stone Age

After the breakup of his previous band Kyuss in 1995,{{cite web| url = http://thefade.net/oldsite/transcripts/00xxxxguitardotcom.html |title = Old QOTSA Archived Interview on thefade.net |access-date = August 25, 2010}} Josh Homme moved to Seattle,{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-returns-to-its-birth-city-for-a-ferocious-concert-at-seattles-keyarena/|title=Queens of the Stone Age returns to its birth city for a ferocious concert at Seattle's KeyArena|first=Michael|last=Rietmulder|website=The Seattle Times|date=January 26, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2023}} where he briefly joined Screaming Trees as a touring guitarist.{{cite web

| url =http://www.thefade.net/oldsite/articles/roughedge98xxxx.html

| title =Queens of the Stone Age Review

| access-date =May 9, 2007

| author =Christopher J. Kelter

| year =1998

| publisher =Rough Edge.com

}} He later formed a new band called Gamma Ray, which released the eponymous Gamma Ray EP (1996), featuring "Born to Hula" and "If Only Everything" (which would later appear on their self-titled debut as "If Only"). The EP featured Matt Cameron of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, Van Conner of Screaming Trees, and percussionist Victor Indrizzo.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefade.net/oldsite/discography/gammaray.html|title=Discography entry for Gamma Ray|website=thefade.net|access-date=May 9, 2007}}

Gamma Ray changed their name in 1997 after the German power metal band Gamma Ray threatened to sue. The name "Queens of the Stone Age" came from a nickname given to Kyuss by their producer Chris Goss. Homme said of the name: "Kings would be too macho. The Kings of the Stone Age wear armor and have axes and wrestle. The Queens of the Stone Age hang out with the Kings of the Stone Age's girlfriends when they wrestle ... Rock should be heavy enough for the boys and sweet enough for the girls. That way everyone's happy and it's more of a party. Kings of the Stone Age is too lopsided.""2000 Ozzfest Chat - Nick and Josh from Queens of the Stone Age". Ozzfest. August 16, 2000. [https://www.thefade.net/oldsite/transcripts/ozzfest000816.html Archived] from the original in 2000. Retrieved December 2, 2024.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/queens-of-the-stone-age-sexy-rock|title=Music To Strip To: Queens of the Stone Age Are the Only Rock Band That Understands Sex|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=July 22, 2017}}

The first release under the Queens of the Stone Age name was the song "18 A.D.," released on Roadrunner Records' compilation album Burn One Up! Music for Stoners. It featured guitarist Dave Catching as well as the bassist and drummer of the Dutch stoner rock band Beaver, owing to connections Homme made while living in Amsterdam for a few months following Kyuss' breakup.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-26 |title=DTRH18: De geheime Nederlandse wortels van Queens of the Stone Age |url=https://3voor12.vpro.nl/artikelen/overzicht/2018/Down-the-rabbit-hole-2018/De-Nederlandse-wortels-van-Queens-of-the-Stone-Age.html |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=3voor12 |language=nl}} The band's first live appearance was at Seattle's OK Hotel on November 20, 1997, with Cameron on drums, Mike Johnson of Dinosaur Jr. on bass and John McBain of Monster Magnet on guitar. In December that year, the band released a split EP, Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age, which featured three tracks from the Gamma Ray sessions as well as three Kyuss tracks recorded in 1995 prior to their breakup.{{cite web

| url =http://www.thefade.net/oldsite/discography/qkyuss.html

| title =Discography entry for Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age

| access-date =May 9, 2007

| website =thefade.net

}}

Homme returned to Palm Desert, California, where he released Queens of the Stone Age's self-titled debut album in 1998 on Stone Gossard's and Regan Hagar's label Loosegroove Records, and on vinyl by Man's Ruin Records. Homme played guitar and bass on the album (the latter credited to Homme's alter-ego Carlo Von Sexron), Alfredo Hernández on drums, and several other contributions by Chris Goss and Hutch. Homme reportedly asked Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan to appear on the record, but he was unable due to other commitments.[http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2008/01/03/mark-lanegan-the-man-comes-around/ Mark Lanegan: The Man Comes Around] – MAGNET Magazine Inc. 2011

Soon after the recording sessions were finished for the album, former Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri joined the group, and touring commenced with a band consisting entirely of ex-Kyuss members. Catching, a former Kyuss guitar tech, joined shortly after. From this point forward, the band's line-up would change frequently; by the time their second album was being recorded, Hernández had left the group to play in other bands.{{cite web

| url =http://thefade.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=80

| title =QOTSA History Page

| access-date =August 25, 2010

| website =thefade.net

}}

Released in 2000, Rated R featured myriad musicians familiar with Homme and Oliveri's work and "crew" of sorts: former Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan, drummers Nick Lucero and Gene Trautmann, guitarists Dave Catching, Brendon McNichol, and Chris Goss contributed, and even Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, recording next door, stepped in for a guest spot on "Feel Good Hit of the Summer."

{{cite magazine

| url = http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article112

| title = Queens of the Stone Age - The weirdest band on Ozzfest

| magazine = Rolling Stone

| access-date = April 6, 2008

| url-status = dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090501194505/http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article112

| archive-date = May 1, 2009

}} File:Josh Homme 2003.jpg in August 2003|alt=|left]]

The album garnered positive reviews and received a lot more attention than their debut, despite the fact that the lyrics to "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" were deemed by mega-retailer Walmart to promote drug use, almost causing the record to get pulled from store shelves.{{cite magazine

| url = http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article21

| title = Queens of the Stone Age Feel Good About Foos Tour

| magazine = Rolling Stone

| access-date = April 6, 2008

| url-status = dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090501194509/http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article21

| archive-date = May 1, 2009

}} The success of the record also earned the band notable opening slots with The Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Hole, and a place at Ozzfest 2000. It was during this time that Homme stated:

{{blockquote|There's a robotic element to our albums, like the repetition of riffs. We also wanted to do a record that had a lot of dynamic range. We wanted to set it up in this band so we could play anything. We don't want to get roped in by our own music. If anyone has a good song (regardless of style) we should be able to play it.|Homme, interview with thefade.net}}

During the 2001 Rock in Rio show, bassist Nick Oliveri was arrested after performing on stage naked, with only his bass guitar covering his genitals. Oliveri apologized to officials, saying that he did not know it was a crime in Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1438389/nude-queens-stone-age-bassist-arrested-rio.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531011109/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1438389/nude-queens-stone-age-bassist-arrested-rio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 31, 2013|title=Nude Queens Of The Stone Age Bassist Arrested In Rio|date=June 22, 2001|publisher=MTV.com|author=Moss, Corey}}

Following his work on Rated R, Lanegan joined the band as a full-time member, a position he held until early 2005. Towards the end of the Rated R tour, the band's performance at the 2001 Rock am Ring festival in Germany was, according to Homme, "the worst show we've ever played and it was in front of 40,000 people."{{cite magazine | url = http://www.fhmonline.com/site/content/article.aspx?ID=34373 | title = Album Reviews: Era Vulgaris | magazine = FHM | access-date = December 7, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100107182742/http://fhmonline.com/site/content/article.aspx?ID=34373 | archive-date = January 7, 2010 }} The band decided to tattoo themselves with the starting time of the performance, "Freitag 4:15." As Oliveri explained:

{{blockquote|Me, Mark [Lanegan], Josh [Homme] and Hutch, our soundman, have the same tattoo, it's from Rock am Ring festival. The time we had to play was 4:15 in the afternoon and it was just a terrible show. It sucked, it was horrible. That's why I tattooed it on my ribs, where it would hurt, so I'd never forget.|Oliveri, interview with Daredevil Magazine (2005)}}

File:Nick Oliveri V Festival 2003.jpg, bassist 1998–2004, performing with the band at the 2003 V Festival]]

Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer, joined in late 2001 to record drums for the band's third album, Songs for the Deaf. It was released in August 2002 and again featured Lanegan. The final track on the album, "Mosquito Song", featured former A Perfect Circle member Paz Lenchantin on viola and piano along with Dean Ween on guitar. Another former A Perfect Circle member, guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, joined the touring line-up following the album's release.

{{blockquote|This record was supposed to sound bizarre—like lightning in a bottle. We also were extremely fucked up. It even sounds that way to me, like a crazy person. The radio interludes are supposed to be like the drive from L.A. to Joshua Tree, a drive that makes you feel like you're letting go—more David Lynch with every mile.|Homme, interview with jr.com}}

Songs for the Deaf was a critical hit and was certified gold in 2003,{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Queens+of+the+Stone+Age#search_section |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}} with sales of over 900,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/q/queens_of_the_stoneage/news_feature_032805|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050328170858/http://www.mtv.com/bands/q/queens_of_the_stoneage/news_feature_032805/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2005|title=Queens of the Stone Age: A Stone Unturned|publisher=MTV.com}} The singles "No One Knows" and "Go with the Flow" became hits on radio and MTV, with the former just outside the Billboard Top 40. "No One Knows" and "Go with the Flow" were also featured on the first iterations of the popular video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band (respectively). Furthermore, the latter track was featured in the popular video game Fortnite as a song in Fortnite Festival. The song "You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire" was featured in the video games, Tony Hawk's Underground and IndyCar Series. It was also used as the theme song in Naughty Dog's "Jak X: Combat Racing" in 2005 along with "Song for the Dead". The song was also used in the films xXx, Project X and Skincare.

The Songs for the Deaf tour culminated in a string of headline dates in Australia in January 2004. Grohl returned to his other projects and was replaced on the European leg of the tour by former Danzig drummer Joey Castillo, who joined the band full-time. After the tour, Homme fired Oliveri, as he was convinced that Oliveri had been physically abusive to his girlfriend: "A couple years ago, I spoke to Nick about a rumor I heard. I said, 'If I ever find out that this is true, I can't know you, man.'"{{cite magazine| last=Cohen | first=Jonathan | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62176/homme-comes-clean-on-oliveri-firing | magazine=Billboard Magazine | title=Homme Comes Clean On Oliveri Firing | date=July 6, 2005 | access-date=May 9, 2007}} Homme considered breaking up the band after firing Oliveri, but found a new determination to continue.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/52832|title=Josh Homme: 'I considered breaking up Queens after Nick Oliveri left' | News|date=September 2, 2010|publisher=Nme.Com|access-date=May 28, 2014}} Oliveri countered in the press that the band had been "poisoned by hunger for power" and that without him, they were "Queens Lite." He later softened his opinion and said: "My relationship with Josh is good. The new Queens record kicks ass."Jenkins, Sacha. "Ready to Rumble." Spin. May 2005. The two reportedly are still friends and as of October 2006, Oliveri was interested in rejoining the band.{{cite magazine | last=Kerr | first=Dave | url=http://www.skinnymag.co.uk/content/view/2973/142/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201722/http://www.skinnymag.co.uk/content/view/2973/142/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 27, 2007 | magazine=The Skinny | title=Nick Oliveri - Mondo Uncontrollable | date=January 10, 2006 | access-date=May 9, 2007 }} Oliveri later contributed to Queens of the Stone Age for the first time in nine years, contributing backing vocals to the band's sixth album, ...Like Clockwork.

File:QOTSA Live Paris 200508 2.jpg, Alain Johannes and the late Natasha Shneider, who joined the line-up for Lullabies to Paralyze and the supporting tour.|alt=|left]]

In late 2004, Homme, along with Eleven multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes and remaining band members Van Leeuwen and Castillo recorded the Queens' fourth studio album, Lullabies to Paralyze, a title taken from a lyric in "Mosquito Song" from their previous album.{{cite news | url=http://www.vertigo.fm/main.php?site=artist_texte&artist_id=1639 | publisher=Vertigo | title=Queens of the Stone Age Interview | access-date=May 9, 2007 | archive-date=July 21, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721121411/http://www.vertigo.fm/main.php?site=artist_texte&artist_id=1639 | url-status=dead }} The album featured guests including ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Despite Lanegan reportedly turning down an invitation to remain with the band, he recorded vocals on new tracks (notably the solo vocalist on the opening track "This Lullaby") and appeared on the supporting tour as scheduling and his health permitted.

Lullabies to Paralyze was leaked onto the internet in February 2005 and was aired by Triple J radio in Australia on March 3, 2005, as an unsubstantiated 'World Premiere'. It was then officially released on Tuesday, March 22, 2005, in the US, debuting in the number 5 slot on the Billboard Music Chart, the greatest debut of any Queens record until ...Like Clockwork debuted at number 1 in June 2013.

On May 14, 2005, the group was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, hosted by Will Ferrell. One of Ferrell's popular Saturday Night Live characters, fictional Blue Öyster Cult cowbellist Gene Frenkle, made a re-appearance on the show, playing with the Queens on their first song of the night, "Little Sister." Frenkle played the song's wood block part using a cowbell along with the band.

On November 22, 2005, Queens of the Stone Age released a live album/DVD set, Over the Years and Through the Woods, featuring a live concert filmed in London, England, and bonus features which included rare videos of songs from 1998 to 2005. In 2005, the group supported Nine Inch Nails on their North American tour of With Teeth along with Autolux (for the first half of the tour) and Death from Above 1979 (for the second). NIN's guitarist Aaron North appeared as an onstage guest with the Queens for the songs "Born to Hula," "Regular John," "Avon," "Monsters in the Parasol" and "Long, Slow Goodbye" at the Wiltern LG in Los Angeles on December 19 and 20, 2005.

Another onstage guest for the December 20 performance was Homme's former Kyuss bandmate John Garcia, the first time that Homme and Garcia had played together since 1997. As a special encore they performed three Kyuss songs: "Thumb," "Hurricane" and "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop."{{cite web | title = Queens Of The Stone age joined by unexpected guest | publisher = NME| date= December 21, 2005 | url =https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/21827| access-date = July 3, 2007}} Homme stated that the band's lowest point was during the Lullabies era,{{cite video

| people =Josh Homme, Joey Castillo (interviewees)

| date= May 9, 2007

| title =Queens of the Stone Age interview

| url =http://www.virginmedia.com/music/interviews/queensofthestoneage.php

| format =.wmv

| publisher =Virgin Media

| access-date =May 9, 2007

| time =05:43

| quote =The lowest point has been…like somewhere in Lullabies…that was very confusing…

}} but that the record "took the lead jacket off" the band following the firing of Oliveri in 2004.{{Cite news

| title =QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: "THIS IS A DANCE RECORD"

| newspaper =NME

| page =1

| date= May 5, 2007

}}

File:Queens of the Stone Age 2007.jpg and Josh Homme when the band performed at the Southside Festival in Germany, June 2007]]

On Valentine's Day 2007, the band's official website announced the new album would be titled Era Vulgaris, and would be released in June.{{cite web| url =http://www.qotsa.com| title =I was at the Sizzler today| access-date =May 9, 2007| date= February 14, 2007| publisher =Queens of the Stone Age official website}} Later in February, teaser videos surfaced showing Homme, Castillo, Van Leeuwen and Johannes in studio.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053875/qotsa-rocks-hard-fast-on-era-vulgaris| title =QOTSA Rocks Hard, Fast On 'Era Vulgaris| access-date =May 9, 2007| date= March 15, 2007| magazine =Billboard.com}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWzvlFyS_Y] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626202054/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWzvlFyS_Y|date=June 26, 2015}} Several sites reported that the album would include many guest vocalists, including Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, Julian Casablancas from The Strokes, Mark Lanegan, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top,{{cite magazine| url=http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/02/070223_qotsa/ | magazine=Spin.com | title=Casablancas, Reznor Rumored Guests on QOTSA Album | date=February 23, 2007 | access-date=May 9, 2007}} and deceased humorist Erma Bombeck.{{cite web| url =http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/video_newsqueens_of_the_stone_age_will_not_settle_down_except_for_fans.html| title =Queens of the Stone Age Will Not Settle Down, Except For Fans| access-date =May 9, 2007| publisher =Ultimate-guitar.com}} Death from Above 1979 bassist Jesse F. Keeler had been expected to play bass on the studio recording of the album, but not to tour;{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.ne.au/triplej/mel/listen/mp3s/dfa.mp3 | publisher=Triple J | title=Mel in the Morning interview with Jesse Keeler | date=June 22, 2006 | format=mp3 | access-date=May 9, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110203457/http://www.abc.ne.au/triplej/mel/listen/mp3s/dfa.mp3 | archive-date=January 10, 2016 }} however, due to schedule conflicts, he stated he would not be appearing on the album.

Era Vulgaris was completed in early April 2007{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/04/06/strokes-qotsa-foofighters-marilynmanson-rogerwaters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614012331/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/04/06/strokes-qotsa-foofighters-marilynmanson-rogerwaters/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2007 |title = Smoking Section: Playing poker with the Strokes, Foo Fighters album news, Marilyn Manson's "dirty" film, Roger Waters calls from the road|access-date = April 10, 2007 |author = Scaggs, Austin |date = April 6, 2007 |publisher = Rolling Stone.com }} and released June 12, 2007 in the US.{{cite web |url = http://www.qotsa.com/ |title = Queens of the Stone Age official website|access-date = April 10, 2007 |year = 2007 }} The tracks "Sick, Sick, Sick" and "3's & 7's" were released as singles in early June.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/uncut/news/9737 |title=Queens of the Stone age unveil new album artwork |access-date=July 14, 2007 |magazine=Uncut.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528083532/http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/uncut/news/9737 |archive-date=May 28, 2007 }} Homme has described the record as "dark, hard, and electrical, sort of like a construction worker."{{cite news |url=http://www.rekordsrekords.com/asktheband/100406/newrecord.mov |publisher=qotsa.com |title=Ask the Band |date=November 4, 2006 |access-date=May 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205175824/http://www.rekordsrekords.com/asktheband/100406/newrecord.mov |archive-date=February 5, 2007 |url-status=dead }} When asked about the vocals on the record, specifically the different style of singing that Homme used, he replied:

{{blockquote|I wanted to try some shit that was downright embarrassing at first. This record is a grower, not about what isn't there, but what is. |Josh Homme, interview with jr.com, 2007}}

Bassist Michael Shuman (Wires On Fire, Jubilee and Mini Mansions) and keyboardist Dean Fertita (The Waxwings, The Dead Weather) took over touring duties from Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider, respectively.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/uncut/news/9737 |title=Queens of the Stone age unveil new album artwork |access-date=May 9, 2007 |magazine=Uncut.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428030631/http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/uncut/news/9737 |archive-date=April 28, 2007 }}{{cite news| url =http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71399| title =QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Films 'Sick, Sick, Sick' Video| access-date =May 9, 2007| date =April 28, 2007| work =Blabbermouth.net| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070506035321/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71399| archive-date =May 6, 2007}} In July 2007, Van Leeuwen stated the band had written new material, "still in its infancy"{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/29795 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age discuss Duluth tour |access-date=July 21, 2007 |format=article |work=NME |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307051237/http://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/29795 |archive-date=March 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }} which Homme later suggested might be released as an EP.{{cite web|last=Coburn |first=Bob |author2=Josh Homme |author3=Troy Van Leeuwen |title=Queens new material |publisher=Rockline radio |date=July 30, 2007 |url=http://www.rocklineradio.com/modules/mod_mp3player_files/mp3/QOTSA.mp3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620232515/http://www.rocklineradio.com/modules/mod_mp3player_files/mp3/QOTSA.mp3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |format=radio interview |access-date=August 1, 2007 }} Following a subsequent interview with Homme, The Globe and Mail reported that the EP "could contain as many as 10 B-sides recorded during the Era Vulgaris sessions."{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070822.wqueens22/BNStory/Entertainment |title=Princes Charming – well, almost |access-date=August 25, 2007 |format=interview |work=Arts section |publisher=The Globe and Mail |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826192819/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070822.wqueens22/BNStory/Entertainment |archive-date=August 26, 2007 }} It was later reported that the EP would not be released due to the record label's unwillingness to put out another QOTSA release at that time.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047979/homme-itching-to-record-with-new-qotsa-lineup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918043902/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047979/homme-itching-to-record-with-new-qotsa-lineup|url-status=dead|title=Homme Itching To Record With New QOTSA Lineup|date=October 18, 2007|archive-date=September 18, 2014|magazine=Billboard}}

File:Queens of the Stone Age at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2007.jpg in Zilker Park, September 14, 2007|alt=|left]]

The band began a North American Tour in 2007, which they named the "Duluth Tour" because they were going to many small towns and cities they had never played before, such as Duluth, Minnesota.{{cite web| url =http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_tours/queens_of_the_stone_age_the_duluth_tour_details.html| title =Queens of the Stone Age: The "Duluth Tour" Details| access-date =October 3, 2007| date= June 3, 2007| publisher =Ultimate Guitar}} The tour was extended to other areas, such as the United Kingdom, where the band played more shows than on any of their previous UK tours. The band toured in Australia in late March to early April 2008, on the V festival tour, including a string of side shows. Throughout the beginning of May 2008, the band completed the Canadian leg of its touring.{{cite web| url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/47386-pumpkins-jamc-qotsa-air-css-rock-aussie-v-fest| title =Pumpkins, JAMC, QOTSA, Air, CSS Rock Aussie V Fest| access-date =June 4, 2008| publisher =Pitchfork Media| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070724132847/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/47386-pumpkins-jamc-qotsa-air-css-rock-aussie-v-fest| archive-date =July 24, 2007}}

In November 2007, Queens of the Stone Age performed a semi-acoustic set in an underground salt mine in Germany, performing a selection of hits, rarities, covers and an unreleased song named "Cathedral City."{{cite news|title=QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Performs At Former Salt Mine; Teaser Clip Available |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-performs-at-former-salt-mine-teaser-clip-available/|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 12, 2016}} A DVD of the concert was planned but aside from a trailer promoting the DVD and a number of photographs, no footage of the concert has been released.

On July 2, 2008, Queens of the Stone Age's former keyboardist Natasha Shneider died of lung cancer at the age of 52. The news broke with a message posted on the MySpace page of the band Sweethead, of which Natasha's close friend and former bandmate Troy Van Leeuwen is a member. The band's homepage was updated with a memorial message by Homme replacing the normal front page. The band performed a concert in celebration of Natasha Shneider's life at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on August 16, 2008.{{Cite web |last=Appleford |first=Steve |last2= |date=2010-10-08 |title=Alain Johannes adjusts to the dawn |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-oct-08-la-et-alain-johannes-20101008-story.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} They were joined on stage by Shneider's husband Alain Johannes, Tenacious D, Matt Cameron, Brody Dalle, Jesse Hughes, Chris Goss, and PJ Harvey, playing a variety of QOTSA and non-QOTSA songs, including covers of songs from bands such as Cream and The Doors. Tenacious D and Harvey also performed acoustic sets at the show. Proceeds from the concert went to defray the costs associated with Shneider's treatment.{{Citation required|date=October 2024}}

On August 22 and 23, 2008, Queens of the Stone Age performed the last shows of their Era Vulgaris tour at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK, and Josh Homme announced in an interview with the BBC and during the show that he would be returning to the studio to work on the next album.{{cite web|title=Reading and Leeds Festivals 2008 - Queens of the Stone Age|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/artists/queensofthestoneage/video2.shtml#emp|publisher=BBC|access-date=December 5, 2015}}

During 2009 and 2010, band members worked on side projects during the down time. Troy Van Leeuwen started up a new band, Sweethead. Joey Castillo played for Eagles of Death Metal on their Heart On tour. Bassist Michael Shuman continued his work as drummer and vocalist with Mini Mansions, while Dean Fertita became the guitarist/keyboardist for Jack White's newest group, The Dead Weather. Josh Homme formed supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122919|title=JOSH HOMME, JOHN PAUL JONES, DAVE GROHL Collaborate On New Project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704214952/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122919|archive-date=July 4, 2009}} After Them Crooked Vultures finished touring in June, the band toured and released a two-CD deluxe edition of Rated R on August 3, 2010. This edition featured the original CD along with six B-sides and live recordings from the band's Reading performance in 2000.

In 2010, Homme suffered from complications during a botched knee surgery, during which his heart stopped for a short time due to asphyxiation; doctors had to use a defibrillator to revive him. Following this, he was bedridden for four months and plunged into a deep depression, during which he considered giving up his music career altogether.{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/home-sweet-homme-29293913.html|title=Home, sweet Homme - Independent.ie|work=Independent.ie|access-date=July 22, 2017|language=en}} He elaborated on this experience further in an interview on Marc Maron's WTF podcast, explaining that he had contracted a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection which his immune system could not fight due to stress. Homme has since said that the experience contributed greatly to the writing and recording of ...Like Clockwork.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_431_-_josh_homme|title=Episode 431 - Josh Homme|website=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast|date=October 10, 2013 }}

After Homme recovered, Queens of the Stone Age released a remastered version of their self-titled debut album in early 2011, and performed the album in its entirety in a promotional tour. The band performed on Conan on April 14,{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=156919|title=Queens of the Stone Age performs on Conan|publisher=Roadrunner Records/Blabbermouth|access-date=April 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421072513/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=156919|archive-date=April 21, 2011}} and later played at the Australian music festival Soundwave. Throughout the summer of 2011, the band appeared at various European festivals, including the Glastonbury Festival, in Somerset, UK. They also played at Pearl Jam's 20th Anniversary Festival at Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI on September 3 and 4, 2011, which would be their last with drummer Joey Castillo.

{{Main article|...Like Clockwork}}

File:Queens of the stone age 2011.jpg

Plans to record a follow-up to Era Vulgaris had been mentioned since 2008,{{cite web|url=http://stereokill.net/2009/11/11/qotsa-to-reconvene-next-summer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114122309/http://stereokill.net/2009/11/11/qotsa-to-reconvene-next-summer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2009|title=QotSA to reconvene next summer|first=Andrew|last=Lindsay|publisher=Stereokill}} but recording would not begin until August 2012.{{cite web |url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=151629 |title = Queens of the Stone Age to begin recording in January |access-date = December 30, 2010 |date = December 30, 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110104052609/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=151629 |archive-date = January 4, 2011 }} In March 2011, Homme stated, "Doing the rehearsals for the first record is really defining the new one. It's been turning the new record into something else. What we were doing was bluesy, and now it's turned into this trancey, broken thing. The robots are coming home!"{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/mar/09/josh-homme-queens-stone-age | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Josh | last=Homme | title=Josh Homme: 'Queens of the Stone Age play trance robot music for girls' | date=March 10, 2011}} According to Homme, the album would be finished by the end of 2012. He explained to BBC Radio 1, "We're going to take our one last break that we would get for a month, come back and do Glastonbury, then immediately jump in the studio. Our record will be done by the end of the year. We have enough songs."{{cite web |url = https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/56781 |title = Queens Of The Stone Age: 'Our record will be done by the end of the year' |website = NME |access-date = May 21, 2011 |date = May 21, 2011 }}

In November 2011, Alain Johannes stated in regard to his studio work with the band: "We had a late night with Queens of the Stone Age again. [...] Just putting in days, super top secret, but it's going to be amazing. I'm really excited about it. [...] Once we start the process, it goes to completion. So I can't say exactly when, but it's a really good start."{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/interviews/2011/11/alain-johannes-interview-2/ |title=Alain Johannes Updates Fans On Eleven, Chris Cornell, QOTSA & More @ Antiquiet |publisher=Antiquiet.com |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2012}}

On August 20, 2012, the band stated via a Facebook status update that they were "recording" their new album.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/QOTSA |title=Facebook page for Queens of the Stone Age |publisher=Facebook.com |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2012}}

In September 2012, it was revealed that Homme and producer Dave Sardy co-wrote and recorded a song entitled "Nobody To Love," which is featured during the end credits of the film End of Watch.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/movie/end-of-watch |title=End of Watch (2012) |publisher=Soundtrack.Net |access-date=December 23, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/07/kyuss-court-records/ |title=Kyuss Emails, Court Documents Tell a Damning Tale @ Antiquiet News |publisher=Antiquiet.com |date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012}}

In November 2012, Homme informed BBC's Zane Lowe that Joey Castillo had left the band and that drums on the new album would be performed by Dave Grohl, who also performed on Songs for the Deaf.{{cite web |title=Dave Grohl joins Queens Of The Stone Age on new album |author=Greg Cochrane|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20235316/dave-grohl-joins-queens-of-the-stone-age-on-new-album|work= BBC News |date= November 7, 2012}} Homme also confirmed with Lowe that the album would be released prior to their performance at the Download Festival in June 2013. In addition to Grohl, other former members contributing to the album include former bassists Nick Oliveri{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/11/nick-oliveri-is-also-on-the-new-queens-of-the-stone-age-record/ |title=Nick Oliveri Is Also on the New Queens of the Stone Age Record @ Antiquiet News |publisher=Antiquiet.com |date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012}} and Johannes,{{cite web|url=http://twitpic.com/bwdccs |title=Alain Johannes, Nick Oliveri, and Brody Dalle recording vocals for QOTSA |publisher=twitter.com |date=January 18, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2013}} and vocalist Mark Lanegan.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/68404|title=Queens Of The Stone Age confirm Mark Lanegan's appearance on new album|date=January 28, 2013|publisher=NME}}

A number of collaborations from different musicians were announced for ...Like Clockwork, including Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor,{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/11/trent-reznor-confirms-involvement-in-new-qotsa-album/ |title=Trent Reznor to Guest on New Queens Of The Stone Age Album @ Antiquiet News |publisher=Antiquiet.com |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012}} Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears,{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/12/scissor-sisters-frontman-queens-of-the-stone-age/ |title=New QOTSA Album to Also Feature Scissor Sisters Frontman @ Antiquiet News |publisher=Antiquiet.com |access-date=December 23, 2012}} Brody Dalle, and Elton John.{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2013/02/qotsa-elton-john-chelsea-lately/ |title=Elton John is Also on the New QOTSA Record |publisher=Antiquiet.com |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=January 7, 2012}}

In early 2013, Homme and fellow Queens contributors including Alain Johannes and Chris Goss recorded for the soundtrack of Dave Grohl's Sound City: Real to Reel. Goss, Johannes and Homme were on three tracks each. Homme's notably included a collaboration with Grohl and Trent Reznor called Mantra, and he was also featured in the film in an interview segment. Goss and Johannes were both featured members in the Sound City Players, playing Masters of Reality, Eleven, and Desert Sessions songs, as well as their penned tunes from the soundtrack. Former Kyuss bassist Scott Reeder also contributed to the soundtrack.{{cite web|title=Sound city: Reel to Reel|url=http://buy.soundcitymovie.com/album|publisher=Buy.soundcitymovie.com|access-date=May 28, 2014}}

File:Queens of the Stone Age @ Allstate Arena 12-11-2013 (11412414294).jpg, December 11, 2013]]

In March 2013, Queens of the Stone Age announced that the new album, entitled ...Like Clockwork, would be released in June 2013 on Matador Records.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/03/queens-of-the-stone-age-like-clockwork-preview-matador/|title=Queens of the Stone Age Preview '...Like Clockwork' Album, Sign to Matador|magazine=Spin|date=March 22, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2013/03/new-queens-of-the-stone-age|title=Queens of the Stone Age Tease New Album '...Like Clockwork'|author=Firecloud, Johnny|publisher=Antiquiet|date=March 22, 2013}} A press release, issued by Matador at 9:00am EST on March 26, 2013, revealed further details of the album, including further guest appearances: Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and UNKLE's James Lavelle. In addition to Grohl's contribution, the record also features performances by former drummer Castillo, as well as tracks by new drummer Jon Theodore (ex-The Mars Volta, One Day as a Lion).{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2013/03/qotsas-like-clockwork-to-also-feature-alex-turner-and-jon-theodore/|title=QOTSA name Jon Theodore as new drummer|publisher=Antiquiet.com|access-date=May 28, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PressReleasePrint.jpg|title=Matador records press release|publisher=Matadorrecords.com|access-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625174255/http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PressReleasePrint.jpg|archive-date=June 25, 2013}} Queens of the Stone Age premiered a new song, "My God Is The Sun", at Lollapalooza Brasil on March 30, 2013,{{cite web|last=Maia|first=Diego|title=Queens of the Stone Age vai tocar música inédita em show de hoje|url=http://vejasp.abril.com.br/materia/queens-of-the-stone-age-vai-tocar-musica-inedita-em-show-de-hoje|date=March 30, 2013|publisher= Veja São Paulo|access-date=March 31, 2013|language=pt}} a performance in which Theodore made his live debut. The studio version of the song premiered on Lowe's BBC Radio 1 program on April 8, 2013.{{cite web|title=Queens of the Stone Age will drop new single Monday|url=http://www.buddyhead.com/2013/04/05/queens-of-the-stone-age-will-drop-new-single-monday/|work=Buddyhead|access-date=April 6, 2013|author=Travis Keller|date=April 2013|archive-date=November 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121125902/http://www.buddyhead.com/2013/04/05/queens-of-the-stone-age-will-drop-new-single-monday/|url-status=dead}}

...Like Clockwork was released on June 3, 2013, on Matador Records in the UK and on June 4 in the United States. Self-produced by the band, it is the first Queens of the Stone Age album to feature full contributions from bassist Michael Shuman and keyboardist and guitarist Dean Fertita. The album debuted in the number one position in the US and is the first QOTSA album to achieve this ranking.{{cite web|title=Queens of the Stone Age's 'Like Clockwork' Debuts At No. 1|url=https://variety.com/2013/music/news/queens-of-the-stone-at-no-1-1200495889/|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC|access-date=September 20, 2013|author=Christopher Morris|date=June 12, 2013}}

Following a performance by QOTSA at the Jay Z-owned Made In America Festival in the summer of 2013, Homme made comments about the rap star during a radio interview with CBC Radio 2's Strombo Show. Homme explained that his band was frisked by the event's security team prior to the performance and referred to Jay Z's personal interaction with the band as a marketing stunt. Homme stated:

{{cquote|He has his security frisking the bands on the way in. I just told them if you open up my bag I'm not playing so I guess it's up to you whether we are playing or not ... The idea they frisked all my guys, means you're in some different place, no-one has ever done that [to me] ... He also gave us some champagne and wanted us to take a photo with it. And I thought, "That's not a gift, that is a marketing tool." So I destroyed it. Because I thought it was rude overall. And you shouldn't frisk my guys, you should fuck off.{{cite web|title=Josh Homme has 99 problems and Jay Z is one|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/36955/Josh-Homme-has-99-problems-and-Jay-Z-is-one|work=Faster Louder|publisher=Faster Louder Pty Ltd|access-date=20 September 2013|author=Sarah Smith|date=17 September 2013|archive-date=September 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920002800/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/36955/Josh-Homme-has-99-problems-and-Jay-Z-is-one|url-status=dead}}}}

The ...Like Clockwork tour culminated with a Halloween party at The Forum in Los Angeles, featuring guests such as The Kills, JD McPherson and Nick Oliveri's band Uncontrollable.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/78399|title=NME News Queens Of The Stone Age to finish '...Like Clockwork' tour with Halloween party in LA - NME.COM|date=July 7, 2014|work=NME.COM|access-date=October 4, 2014}} The band's performance featured an appearance from Oliveri who played songs with them during the encore set, including songs such as "Auto Pilot" and "Quick and to the Pointless" which had not been performed in a decade.{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=Queens of the Stone Age Reunite With Nick Oliveri at Halloween Gig|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/queens-of-the-stone-age-reunite-with-nick-oliveri-at-halloween-gig-20141101|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 5, 2017}}

{{Main article|Villains (Queens of the Stone Age album)}}

File:Queens of the Stone Age - SSE Arena Wembley - Saturday 18th November 2017 QOTSAWembley181117-50 (37885906764).jpg in November 2017]]

The band performed with Nine Inch Nails, Lindsey Buckingham and Dave Grohl at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite web|date=2014-03-05|title=Trent Reznor says Grammys were "an utter waste of time"|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/38504/Trent-Reznor-says-Grammys-were-an-utter-waste-of-time|access-date=2021-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305021451/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/38504/Trent-Reznor-says-Grammys-were-an-utter-waste-of-time|archive-date=March 5, 2014}} The band went on a joint headline tour of Australia with Nine Inch Nails in 2014.

In January 2014, Homme told Rolling Stone magazine the band would start recording a new album when they finished their tour for ...Like Clockwork.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-absolutely-recording-new-album-soon-20140106|title=Queens of the Stone Age 'Absolutely' Recording New Album Soon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 6, 2014}} In June 2014, Homme performed a solo acoustic show at James Lavelle's Meltdown festival, featuring guest performances from Troy Van Leeuwen and Mark Lanegan. During this gig, Homme played a new song called "Villains of Circumstance," which was performed again at another acoustic set in 2016.{{cite web|title=Josh Homme plays new song 'Villains of Circumstance' during Meltdown acoustic set|url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/77946|publisher=NME|date=June 17, 2014}} The band indicated in February 2015, when it was announced they are to play Rock in Rio 2015 in Rio de Janeiro in September, that they were about to record a new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/98119/rock-in-rio-2015-line-up-revealed|title=QOTSA, System of a Down and Johnny Depp for Rock in Rio 2015|author=Keeble, Ed|date=February 16, 2015}} Despite this, in March 2016, Michael Shuman revealed that the band were on a break.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/83710|title=Queens Of The Stone Age 'taking a break'|date=March 19, 2015|work=NME.COM|access-date=March 22, 2015}}

During this period, the members of the band worked on various other projects. Josh Homme and Dean Fertita contributed to Iggy Pop's 2016 album Post Pop Depression and subsequent tour, while Troy van Leeuwen joined the rock supergroup Gone Is Gone with plans to release an EP and a studio album.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/64785-mastodon-queens-of-the-stone-age-at-the-drive-in-members-form-supergroup-gone-is-gone-tease-new-song-violescent-listen/|title=Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, At the Drive-In Members Form Supergroup Gone is Gone, Tease New Song "Violescent": Listen - Pitchfork|work=pitchfork.com|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016}} In May 2016, Van Leeuwen announced plans to record Queens of the Stone Age's seventh studio album "sometime this year."{{cite web|url=http://www.guitaraficionado.com/qotsas-troy-van-leeuwen-talks-gear-galore-and-the-joys-of-touring-with-iggy-pop.html |title=QOTSA's Troy Van Leeuwen Talks Gear Galore and the Joys of Touring with Iggy Pop « Guitar Aficionado |website=Guitaraficionado.com |date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=July 22, 2017}}

In January 2017, Troy Sanders from Mastodon and Gone Is Gone said Queens of the Stone Age will release a new album later in the year.{{cite magazine|last1=Young|first1=Alex|title=Queens of the Stone Age to unleash new album in 2017|url=https://consequence.net/2017/01/queens-of-the-stone-age-to-unleash-new-album-in-2017/|magazine=Consequence of Sound|access-date=January 11, 2017}} Following this, the band posted several photos on social media featuring their studio{{cite news|last1=Kennelty|first1=Greg|title=QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Appears To Be In The Studio|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/queens-of-the-stone-age-appears-to-be-in-the-studio|work=Metal Injection|access-date=February 10, 2017}} and announced that they would be performing at the Fuji Rock Festival in July, their first performance in Japan since 2003. The band updated their social media accounts with a new logo and the words "Coming Twentyfive" on April 6, 2017, and announced a tour of Australia and New Zealand to begin in July.

On June 14, 2017, Queens of the Stone Age announced their new album Villains which was released on August 25, 2017. The teaser trailer took the form of a comedy skit featuring the band performing a polygraph test with Liam Lynch along with an appearance of the album's producer Mark Ronson, and featured a snippet of the song "Feet Don't Fail Me." The first single, "The Way You Used to Do," was released the following day along with the announcement of a world tour.{{cite web|last1=Blais-Billie|first1=Braudie|title=Queens of the Stone Age Announce New Album Villains, Preview New Song: Watch|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-announce-new-album-villains-preview-new-song-watch/|website=Pitchfork|date=June 14, 2017|access-date=June 14, 2017}}{{cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|title=Queens of the Stone Age Preview New LP, Tour With Gritty 'The Way You Used to Do'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-detail-new-album-villains-tour-w488117|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 15, 2017}} The second advance single from the album, "The Evil Has Landed," was released August 10, 2017.{{cite news|title=Listen To New QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Song 'The Evil Has Landed'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-new-queens-of-the-stone-age-song-the-evil-has-landed/|work=Blabbermouth|access-date=August 10, 2017}}

On October 24, 2017, as part of the Villains tour, the band headlined Madison Square Garden for the first time, having opened for Nine Inch Nails there in 2005, and for Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2003. Homme said he was "stoked".{{cite web|title=Queens of the Stone Age Is MSG Bound|first=Greg|last=Prato|url=http://lipulse.com/2017/10/19/queens-of-the-stone-age-are-msg-bound/|work=Long Island Pulse|date=August 19, 2017|access-date=October 23, 2017|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715215921/http://lipulse.com/2017/10/19/queens-of-the-stone-age-are-msg-bound/|url-status=dead}} Three sets of free tickets to this show were hidden at three stations along the Q line of the New York City Subway.{{cite web|title=Queens Of The Stone Age are giving away free tickets to Madison Square Garden show on the New York Subway|first=Luke Morgan|last=Britton|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-free-tickets-madison-square-garden-show-2152652|publisher=NME|date=August 23, 2017}}

On December 9, 2017, while on stage during the KROQ Acoustic Christmas concert in Inglewood, California, Homme kicked a photographer's camera into her face, resulting in injuries for which she later received medical treatment.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/josh-homme-kicks-female-photographer-in-the-head-at-kroq-acoustic-christmas-exclusive-1202635338/|title=Josh Homme Kicks Female Photographer in the Head at KROQ Acoustic Christmas (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Oldham|first=Steve Baltin, Stuart|date=December 10, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=October 5, 2018|language=en-US}} Homme, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, later apologized through a video on the band's Instagram page, saying, "I hope you're okay, and I'm truly sorry. And I understand you have to do whatever you have to do. I just want you to know that I'm sorry. Goodnight, godspeed."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/josh-homme-truly-sorry-for-kicking-photographer-onstage-204961/|title=Josh Homme: 'Truly Sorry' for Kicking Photographer Onstage|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=December 11, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 5, 2018|language=en-US}}

{{Main|In Times New Roman...}}

File:20231008 qotsa.jpg.]]

In an interview with eonmusic in June 2019, Billy Gibbons announced that he has contributed to a new Queens of the Stone Age album that is set to be further announced by Homme later in the future. Gibbons also confirmed that Dave Grohl is involved in the recording sessions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonmusic.co.uk/5/post/2019/06/exclusive-zz-tops-billy-gibbons-dave-grohl-set-to-appear-on-new-queens-of-the-stone-age-album.html|title=EXCLUSIVE: ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Dave Grohl Set to Appear on new Queens of the Stone Age Album.|website=eonmusic: music for life.}} Grohl denied the rumors, saying that he and Homme had only spent time together "riding motorcycles and eating waffles."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/music-interviews/dave-grohl-foo-fighters-reading-leeds-interview-qotsa-vultures-2539933|title=Dave Grohl on Foo Fighters' return to Reading: "This festival is my first love"|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|date=August 21, 2019|work=NME|access-date=October 25, 2019|language=en-GB}}

In early May 2023, rumors began to surface of the album when a product listing appeared on the band's website titled In Times New Roman..., including an album cover and tracklist. The listing was initially removed.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/05/03/news/rumors-emerge-regarding-queens-of-the-stone-ages-new-album-details|title=Rumors Emerge Regarding Queens Of The Stone Age's New Album Details|website=ThePRP|author=wookubus|date=May 3, 2023|access-date=May 4, 2023}}

On May 11, the album's first single "Emotion Sickness" was released, along with an official announcement of the album.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/05/queens-of-the-stone-age-in-times-new-roman-emotion-sickness-stream/|title=Queens of the Stone Age Announce New Album In Times New Roman…, Share "Emotion Sickness": Stream|website=Consequence|first=Carys|last=Anderson|date=May 11, 2023|access-date=May 11, 2023}} On May 31, the album's second single "Carnavoyeur" was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2023/05/queens-of-the-stone-age-carnavoyeur/|title=Queens of the Stone Age Release Shimmering New Single, "Carnavoyeur"|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|website=Spin|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}} On June 14, the third and final single "Paper Machete" was released,{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|date=June 14, 2023|title=Queens of the Stone Age Share New Song "Paper Machete": Listen|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-share-new-song-paper-machete-listen/|access-date=June 23, 2023|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US}} immediately followed by the release of the album on June 16.{{Cite web|last=Schonfeld|first=Zach|title=In Times New Roman...|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/queens-of-the-stone-age-in-times-new-roman/ |access-date=June 23, 2023|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US}}

In early June, Queens of the Stone Age announced an extensive North American tour called "The End Is Nero Tour",{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/06/queens-of-the-stone-age-2023-north-american-tour/|title=Queens of the Stone Age Announce 2023 North American Tour|website=Consequence|first=Spencer|last=Kaufman|date=June 6, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023}} immediately followed by a full European leg with dates until late November 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-the-end-is-nero-2023-uk-european-tour-dates-cities-tickets-3455178|title=Queens of the Stone Age announce 'The End Is Nero' 2023 UK and European tour dates|website=NME|first=Surej|last=Singh|date=June 13, 2023|access-date=June 23, 2023}} This was followed a 2024 tour that included Australia, New Zealand and North America, and Europe.{{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=2023-12-18 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age on stepping up to headline Download 2024: "There's no reason to trip out" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-on-download-2024-no-reason-to-trip-out-3560338 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} On July 9, the band cancelled several European shows that month so Homme could have emergency surgery, and they cancelled more later that month. Jack White filled in their slot for some festivals.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-28 |title=QOTSA Cancel More Tour Dates, Jack White to Fill In |url=https://consequence.net/2024/07/queens-stone-age-cancel-more-2024-dates/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |language=en-US}} On August 23, the remainder of the band's 2024 shows were cancelled or postponed to 2025 due to Homme needing "essential medical care for the remainder of the year".{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=2024-08-23 |title=Queens of the Stone Age Cancel 2024 Tour Dates to Prioritize Josh Homme's Health |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/queens-of-the-stone-age-cancel-remaining-2024-tour-dates-1236117125/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

Throughout its career, the band has been described as alternative rock,{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Weiss|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/08/album-review-queens-of-the-stone-age-villains/|title=Queens of the Stone Age – Villains|publisher=Consequence of sound|date=August 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2017}} stoner rock,The following references describe the band and/or its sound as "stoner rock":

• {{cite news|title=Stone age kicks|newspaper=Sunday Herald|last=Phelan|first=Stephen|date=October 27, 2002}}
• {{cite news|title=Queens kings of mixing it up|newspaper=Boston Herald|last=Rodman|first=Sarah|date=September 29, 2000|page=S24}}
• {{cite news|title=Queens of the Stone Age at Metro|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|author-link=Jim DeRogatis|date=October 7, 2000}}
• {{cite news|title=Concerts; Queens of the Stone Age|newspaper=Star Tribune|last=Riemenschneider|first=Chris|date=April 3, 2005}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/11/30/kyuss-lives-and-so-does-stoner-rock-legacy/|title=Kyuss Lives, and so does stoner-rock legacy|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=January 8, 2014}}
• {{cite news|title=CD Reviews: Queens Are on the Throne; Queens of the Stone Age Lullabies to Paralyze|newspaper=Daily Mirror|last=Martin|first=Gavin|date=March 18, 2005}} alternative metal,[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCC2041EA50BDC9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Dialing for dollars: Lollapalooza, sponsored by Verizon] "Considerably harder-edged were the Queens of the Stone Age, another alt-metal band that preceded Incubus." Washington Times, August 5, 2003. Retrieved February 25, 2013. {{subscription required}}{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456043/qotsa-solve-first-single-mystery.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224091700/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456043/qotsa-solve-first-single-mystery.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age Choose Single For The Deaf - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV.com |date=July 12, 2002 |access-date=February 25, 2013}}{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McPadden|title= Alt-Metal A To Z: 26 Bands That Define The Genre |website= VH1 |date= 8 September 2015 |access-date= 19 August 2022 |url= https://www.vh1.com/news/rjhh9u/alt-metal-a-to-z|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220604172058/https://www.vh1.com/news/rjhh9u/alt-metal-a-to-z|url-status= live|archive-date= June 4, 2022}} and hard rock.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/queens-of-the-stone-age-mn0000376422/biography|title=Queens of the Stone Age-Biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=January 4, 2013}} Homme has called the band's self-titled debut album driving music, angular and recorded dry;Austin Scaggs [https://web.archive.org/web/20071028102808/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/15148677/exclusive_qa_queens_of_the_stone_ages_josh_homme_summer_sex_jam_king Exclusive Q&A: Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, Summer Sex Jam King] Rollingstone.com Retrieved: July 20, 2009 its songs feature solid, repetitive riffs. Rolling Stone magazine also noted a "connection between American meat-and-potatoes macho rock of the early 1970s, like Blue Cheer and Grand Funk Railroad, and the precision-timing drones in German rock of the same period."Ben Ratliff (2000) [http://www.thefade.net/oldsite/articles/rs000622.html Rated R Review] Rolling Stone magazine Retrieved: July 20, 2009 The band's next album, Rated R, has a wider variety of instruments, several recording guests, and lead vocals shared by Homme, Oliveri and Lanegan. Homme has said, "Our first record announced our sound. This one added that we're different and weird."[http://blog.jr.com/josh-homme-takes-us-on-a-tour-of-his-2-decade-career/ Josh Homme Takes Us On a Tour of His 2 Decade Career] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427214552/http://blog.jr.com/josh-homme-takes-us-on-a-tour-of-his-2-decade-career/ |date=April 27, 2009 }} Retrieved: July 20, 2009 The band continued to experiment on its third album, Songs for the Deaf, which also featured a lineup of three lead vocalists, many guest appearances, and wide range of instrumentation, including horn and string sections.{{cite web | url = http://www.thefade.net/discography/songsforthedeaf.php | title = Songs for the Deaf Overview | author = Daniel Yuri | access-date = July 20, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090813140621/http://www.thefade.net/discography/songsforthedeaf.php | archive-date = August 13, 2009 }} Homme has called Lullabies to Paralyze a "dark" album, which includes imagery inspired by The Brothers Grimm folk and fairy tales.[http://www.jambase.com/Articles/6798/JOSH-HOMME-KING-OF-THE-QUEENS Josh Homme: King of Queens] jambase.com Retrieved: July 20, 2009 In 2005, Homme said, "Where the poetry seems to be is when you start in the dark and reach for the light—that's what makes it not depressing to me".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6087-queens-of-the-stone-age/|title=Queens of the Stone Age|author=Raposa, Dave|date=July 10, 2005|publisher=Pitchfork Media}} The album changed gears from the band's previous distinct "driving" sound, in large part due to Oliveri's departure. The band almost exclusively used semi-hollow body guitars on the record.Paul Tingen [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul05/articles/qotsa.htm RecordingQueens of the Stone Age] soundofsound.com Retrieved: July 20, 2009 With Era Vulgaris the band continued to develop its signature sound with more dance-oriented elements and electronic influences, while Homme became the only lead vocalistJoe Matera [http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/josh_homme_new_qotsa_album_shakes_more_ass_than_ever_before.html Josh Homme: New QOTSA Album 'Shakes More Ass Than Ever Before'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805111305/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/josh_homme_new_qotsa_album_shakes_more_ass_than_ever_before.html |date=August 5, 2011 }} ultimate-guitar.com Retrieved: July 20, 2009 and used more distinct vocal melodies.Tal Rosenberg [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/queens-of-the-stone-age/era-vulgaris.htm Era Vulgaris review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204225350/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/queens-of-the-stone-age/era-vulgaris.htm |date=February 4, 2010 }} stylusmagazine.com Retrieved: July 20, 2009

Homme has on numerous occasions described the band's music as "rock versions of electronic music", saying he takes inspiration from the repetitive nature of electronic trance music along with various forms of dance music, hip hop, trip hop and Krautrock. He called this heavy rock style mixed with the structure of electronic music "robot rock" in an interview with KUNO-TV at the 2001 Roskilde Festival.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}

Homme has described aspects of his distinctive guitar playing style.{{Citation|last=Noisey|title=Josh Homme - Guitar Moves - Episode 3|date=May 29, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJDUHq2mJx0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/AJDUHq2mJx0| archive-date=2021-10-28|access-date=April 19, 2016}}{{cbignore}} He demonstrated the "Josh Homme scale", which he said was the result of years playing and altering the blues scale. The scale has the intervals 1, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7. His scale is the half whole scale with the second degree (♭2) omitted.{{cite web|url=http://jamieholroydguitar.com/play-josh-homme-scale-guitar|title=How to Play The Josh Homme Scale on Guitar {{!}} JamieHolroydGuitar.com|website=jamieholroydguitar.com|date=March 2, 2014|access-date=April 19, 2016}} In the same interview, Homme referenced some earlier influences on his playing, citing both polka guitar styles and the techniques of Jimi Hendrix.

{{main article|List of Queens of the Stone Age contributors}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

Current

• Josh Homme – lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards (1996–present), bass (1996–1998, 2004–2007)
• Troy Van Leeuwen – guitar, lap steel guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals (2002–present), bass (2004–2007)
• Michael Shuman – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2007–present)
• Dean Fertita – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, percussion, backing vocals (2007–present)
• Jon Theodore – drums, percussion, samplers (2013–present)

{{col-3}}

Former

• Alfredo Hernández – drums, percussion (1998–1999)
• Nick Oliveri – bass, co-lead and backing vocals (1998–2004)
• Dave Catching – guitar, keyboards, lap steel, backing vocals (1998–2000)
• Gene Trautmann – drums, percussion (1999–2001)
• Mark Lanegan – co-lead and backing vocals (2000–2005); keyboards (2005); died 2022
• Dave Grohl – drums, percussion (2001–2002, official member; 2013, session member)
• Joey Castillo – drums, percussion (2002–2012)
• Alain Johannes – bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2005–2007)
• Natasha Shneider – keyboards, backing vocals (2005–2006); died 2008

{{col-3}}

Touring musicians

• Pete Stahl – co-lead and backing vocals (1998–1999)
• Mario Lalli – guitar, keyboards, lap steel, co-lead and backing vocals (1999)
• Brendon McNichol – guitar, keyboards, lap steel (2000–2002)
• Dan Druff – bass, guitar, backing vocals (2004–2005)

{{col-end}}

{{Main|Queens of the Stone Age discography|List of songs recorded by Queens of the Stone Age|l2=list of songs}}

Studio albums

• Queens of the Stone Age (1998)
• Rated R (2000)
• Songs for the Deaf (2002)
• Lullabies to Paralyze (2005)
• Era Vulgaris (2007)
• ...Like Clockwork (2013)
• Villains (2017)
• In Times New Roman... (2023)

• File:Viejas Arena Loading Area - Queens of the Stone Age Tour, December 15, 2023.jpg - December 15, 2023|286x286px]]Queens of the Stone Age Tour (1998–1999)
• Rated R Tour (2000–2001)
• Songs for the Deaf Tour (2002–2004)
• Lullabies to Paralyze Tour (2005–2006)
• Era Vulgaris Tour (2007–2008)
• Queens of the Stone Age Re-Release Tour (2011)
• ...Like Clockwork Tour (2013–14)
• Villains World Tour (2017–2018)
• The End Is Nero Tour (2023-2025)

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|-

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Nominee(s)

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

|-

| scope="row"|Kerrang! Awards

| 2000

| rowspan=3|Themselves

| Best International Newcomer

| {{won}}

| {{cite news|first=Robert|last=Mancini|title=Slipknot Steals Spotlight At Kerrang! Awards|publisher=MTV Networks|date=August 30, 2000|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434121/20000830/slipknot.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113204805/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434121/20000830/slipknot.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2009|accessdate=May 10, 2012}}

|-

|scope="row"|NME Awards

| 2001

| Best Metal Act

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/u2-612-1396550 |title=NME Awards - Best Metal Act |website=nme.com |date=February 6, 2001 |language=English |access-date=September 25, 2022 }}

|-

|scope="row"|Žebřík Music Awards

| 2002

| Best International Surprise

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web |url=https://www.anketazebrik.cz/historie/2003-1997/ |title=Historie (2003–1997) |website=anketazebrik.cz |language=Czech |access-date=October 8, 2021 }}

|-

| rowspan=3|MTV Video Music Awards

| rowspan=3|2003

| rowspan=3|"Go with the Flow"

| Best Visual Effects

| {{won}}

| rowspan="3" | {{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0003172/2003/1/ |title=Best Visual Effects |website=IMDB |language=English |access-date=September 25, 2022 }}

|-

| Breakthrough Video

| {{nom}}

|-

| Best Art Direction

| {{nom}}

|-

|scope="row"|NME Awards

| 2004

| rowspan=1|Themselves

| Best Live Band

| {{won}}

| {{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-awards-194-1368744 |title=NME Awards - Best Live Band |website=nme.com |date=February 12, 2004 |language=English |access-date=September 25, 2022 }}

|-

| rowspan=9|Grammy Awards

| 2002

| rowspan=1|"No One Knows"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/queens-stone-age/8455 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age. GRAMMY.com |language=English |access-date=July 9, 2024 }}

|-

| 2003

| rowspan=1|"Go with the Flow"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/queens-stone-age/8455 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age. GRAMMY.com |language=English |access-date=July 9, 2024 }}

|-

| 2005

| rowspan=1|"Little Sister"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/queens-stone-age/8455 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age. GRAMMY.com

| language=English |access-date=July 9, 2024 }}

|-

| 2007

| rowspan=1|"Sick, Sick, Sick"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/queens-stone-age/8455 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age. GRAMMY.com

|language=English |access-date=July 9, 2024 }}

|-

| rowspan=2|2014

| rowspan=1|...Like Clockwork

| Best Rock Album

| {{nom}}

| {{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

|-

| rowspan=1|"My God Is the Sun"

| Best Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web |date=2013-12-06 |title=Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammy-nominations-winners-list-story.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

|-

| 2018

| rowspan=1|Villains

| Best Rock Album

| {{nom}}

| {{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

|-

| rowspan=2|2024

| rowspan=1|"Emotion Sickness"

| Best Rock Song

| {{nominated}}

| rowspan=2|{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |title=2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List |website=grammy.com |date=November 11, 2023 |language=English }}

|-

| rowspan=1|In Times New Roman...

| Best Rock Album

| {{nominated}}

|-

{{end}}

• Palm Desert Scene

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{AllMusic}}
• {{Discogs artist}}

{{Queens of the Stone Age}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Queens of the Stone Age}}

Category:Alternative rock groups from California

Category:American alternative metal musical groups

Category:American stoner rock musical groups

Category:Hard rock musical groups from California

Category:Musical groups established in 1996

Category:Musical groups from Riverside County, California

Category:American musical quintets

Category:Kerrang! Awards winners

Category:Palm Desert, California

Category:1996 establishments in California