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Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA or simply Queens) is an alternative rock band from the Palm Desert, California area in the United States. The band is frequently labeled stoner rock, although they reject the label. QOTSA developed a style of riff-oriented, heavy music which the band’s founder and mastermind Josh Homme described as ‘robot rock’, saying that he “wanted to create a heavy sound based on a solid jam, and just pound it into your head”. Since then, their sound has evolved to incorporate a variety of different styles and influences.
While in high school, Josh got together with locals Brant Bjork, Chris Cockrell (later replaced by Nick Oliveri) and John Garcia resulting in the formation of Kyuss (firstly known as “Sons of Kyuss”). QOTSA formed in 1997, rising from the ashes of Kyuss and began playing together during the now legendary Desert Sessions. Homme has drawn all of the members from that diverse group of musicians for QOTSA. The band originally formed under the name Gamma Ray, but almost faced a lawsuit from the European metal band of the same name.
QOTSA have gone through many line-up changes since first breaking into the hard rock scene. Their most recent line-up includes: Josh Homme (Guitar, Vocals), Troy Van Leeuwen (Guitar, Lap Steel, Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Joey Castillo (Drums), Michael Shuman (Bass, Backing Vocals) and Dean Fertita (Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals). |
