ailed by critics as one of the best delegates of a subcategory known as stoner rock, Queens of the Stone Age has made quite a name for itself in the world of rock. After receiving a multitude of praise, recording three fairly successful albums, and having two singles, “”Go with the Flow”” and “”No One Knows,”” burn up the airwaves, the band has continued to keep up a busy touring schedule, which includes a stopover at Soma on Oct. 29.
Queens at rest: The band in a rare moment of relaxation between constant recording and touring.
Queens of the Stone Age was formed 1997 by singer/guitarist Josh Homme, previously of Kyuss. Homme had written songs with Kyuss drummer Alfredo Hernandez, and the two released an EP. Eventually they and another former Kyuss member, bassist Nick Oliveri, recorded a self-titled, self-financed debut in 1998. Hernandez left Queens and the remaining band ended up recording their sophomore effort Rated R with a fluctuating lineup of musicians. The new record was greeted warmly by critics for their catchy, powerful sound, despite the lineup complications and the controversial first track, in which the band members listed their favorite drugs.
Their most recent release, Songs For the Deaf, finds Queens fusing pounding metal riffs with melodic undertones and Homme’s delicate, almost translucent voice. The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl is a guest on the album, lending the powerful drumming he first displayed in Nirvana. Songs for the Deaf runs the spectrum between the typical, Black Sabbath-like heavy riffs of songs like “”Song for the Dead”” to the ballad-like “”Mosquito Song.”” The tunes steadily balance dominating, power-hungry guitars with more passive, harmonic vocals.
Despite its success, Queens is an unusual band. Homme and Oliveri are the only permanent members ‹ at least for the time being. The rest of the band is an unpredictable assortment of guest musicians, members of different bands, or old friends. Homme is also involved with several side projects which include a series of jam sessions called the Desert Sessions, recorded with fellow musicians at Joshua Tree National Park; drumming for other bands, including the Eagles of Death Metal; and adding an extra flair to other albums separate from those of Queens. Oliveri likewise sometimes tours with other artists, contributes to the studio sessions, and leads a side-project called Mondo Generator.
The band just wrapped up some shows with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and now is in the midst of planning a major U.S. tour before settling down in January 2004 to record its fourth album. Queens of the Stone Age will perform with the Distillers on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m