From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) are a rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band frequently changes its line-up, and its records often include guest appearances. The only permanent member of the band is founder Josh Homme.

Current touring line-up

The live band touring in support of Era Vulgaris is as follows:

• Joshua Homme – Founding and only permanent member of the band, is primarily the lead vocalist and guitarist but has occasionally played bass, keyboards, piano, drums and various other instruments during recordings. (1997-present)
• Troy Van Leeuwen – Has been the band's second guitarist since the tour following the release of Songs for the Deaf, has also played lap steel, keyboards, piano, bass and provided backing vocals during live performances and subsequent recordings. (2002-present)
• Joey Castillo – Was called in to replace drummer Dave Grohl for the European leg of the Songs for the Deaf tour and has been a permanent member since. (2002-present)
• Michael Shuman – Joined as the bassist and backing vocalist for the tour following the release of Era Vulgaris. (2007-present)
• Dean Fertita – Replaced the late Natasha Shneider as the band's keyboardist and backing vocalist, also plays guitar and various percussion instruments. (2007–present)

Other contributors

Guitarists

• Julian Casablancas - Played casio guitar and provided backing vocals to Sick, Sick, Sick on Era Vulgaris.
• Billy Gibbons - Recorded Burn the Witch and Precious and Grace for Lullabies to Paralyze. Also made live appearances which can be seen in the bonus footage on the Over the Years and Through the Woods DVD.
• Brendon McNichol – Joined in 2000 to play guitar, lap steel and piano during live performances and also recorded parts of Songs for the Deaf before leaving the band.
• David Catching – Toured from 1998 to 2000 playing guitar, lap steel and keyboards, has also been featured on all of the bands albums except for Era Vulgaris.
• Mario Lalli – Filled in for Dave Catching who was touring in Europe with earthlings? between April 10 and April 27, 1999.
• John McBain – Made a live appearance with the band in 1997.^{[verification needed]}
• Aaron North - Made guest appearances with the band during at various acoustic performances in 2005.
• Chris Goss - Has been a collaborator with the band throughout their career, contributing with various instruments, mainly guitars and co produced Rated R and Era Vulgaris together with Josh Homme as the Fififf Teeners. Has also made several live appearances from 2001 to 2008 including a performance with Billy Gibbons.
• Dean Ween (aka Mickey Melchiondo) - Played guitar and provided backing vocals during the recording of Songs for the Deaf.

• Jack Black (aka J.B) - He lent his musical abilities to the Queens of the Stone Age song "Burn the Witch" with rhythmic stomps and claps

Bassists

• Alain Johannes – Has been a collaborator with the band since Rated R, has contributed with various instruments during recordings and also toured with the band from 2005 to 2006. Also made an appearance in 2008 at the Natasha Shneider benefit concert.
• Dan Druff – Replaced Oliveri throughout 2005.
• Nick Oliveri – Joined the band after their debut album and performed on Rated R and Songs for the Deaf before being fired by Homme.
• Mike Johnson – Made a live appearance in 1998.^{[verification needed]}
• Van Conner – Performed on the Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age split EP and played live with the band from 1997 to 1998.
• Milo Beenhakker – Performed on the track 18 A.D which appeared on the Burn One Up! album in 1997.^[1]
• Chris DiNoia – Made a few live appearances in 2003 until an unfortunate backstage incident forced him out of the band.

Drummers

• Dave Grohl – Recorded drums, percussion and backing vocals for Songs for the Deaf and toured in support of the album in 2002 before returning to the Foo Fighters.^[2] Also made a live appearance in 2007 to play Make it wit Chu.
• Gene Trautmann – Recorded drums and percussion on Rated R and Songs for the Deaf, also toured from 1999 to 2002 with the band.
• Nick Lucero – Played drums on six tracks and percussion on two tracks during the recording of Rated R.
• Barrett Martin - Recorded percussion on two tracks and vibes on two tracks as well as steel drums on one track on Rated R.
• Alfredo Hernández – Recorded the bands self titled album and toured in support of the album, but left the band before the recording of Rated R.
• Matt Cameron – Played drums during live appearances 1997 and 2008^{[verification needed]} also made a live appearance in 1997 to sing Anderson Anderson.
• Vic the Stick - Recorded on the Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age split.
• Eva Nahon – Recorded drums for the track 18 A.D which appeared on the Burn One Up! album in 1997.^[3]

Keyboardists

• Natasha Shneider – Recorded various instruments for Songs for the Deaf and toured with the band playing keyboards and providing backing vocals in 2005.
• Hutch - Recorded piano for I Was a Teenage Hand Model from their self-titled album.

Vocalists

• Mark Lanegan – Has long been an on/off vocalist for the band, toured from 2001 to 2005 and made live appearances in 2007 T in the Park Festival. Has also recorded with the band on all albums except for their self-titled debut album.
• Cee-Lo - Performed Make it wit Chu with the band at the MTV Video Music Awards.^[4]
• John Garcia - Made a live appearance in 2005 to sing the Kyuss covers Thumb, Hurricane and Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop.^[5]
• Pete Stahl - Made live appearance in 1998 and 1999 to sing the Desert Sessions covers Cake (Who Shit on the?), at the Helm of Hells Ships and Nova.

Recurring band contributors

References

External links

• qotsa.com - the official QOTSA site. (Flash required)
• music.virgin.com video interview with Queens Of The Stone Age at Melbourne VFestival
• Feel Good Hit Of The Queens Feel Good Hit Of The Queens - a German fansite
• thefade.net Revamped version of old QOTSA fansite
• Born To Hula is dedicated to QOTSA and closely related bands.
• qotsa-news.com specializes in QOTSA news.