As Queens Of The Stone Age launch a brand new stripped-down live performance movie, Josh Homme recounts his “near-life expertise” within the Paris catacombs…
“About 18 years in the past, I used to be attempting to go to the catacombs on a time without work in Paris, and the road was three hours lengthy. So the un-humble beginnings [of this performance] was like, ‘How will we lower this line?’ Maybe the best present of taking part in in a band is that it provides us entry to such unimaginable places and conditions. There’s no finish to the juicy tales in regards to the catacombs. There’s been speak of secret conferences and late evening raves, however we’re the primary folks to legally play there. It feels actually good for me to do one thing authorized!
“The catacombs is the star of the present, so all the choices we made have been about respecting the house. To start with, you’ll be able to’t plug something in – we had an electrical piano that was hooked to a automobile battery. The flooring have been moist in some areas, such as you have been on this residing, respiratory factor. It felt like we’re not alleged to roll out the hits, we’re not alleged to play loud.
“The origin story of most of our songs begins by sitting on the sting of the mattress, taking part in acoustic guitar. If one thing works there, it really works in every single place. However I really feel that [in this setting] these songs actually change their heaviness, they modify their depth. When issues are stripped away, lyrics step ahead, feelings run a lot hotter and better. I’ve all the time felt that we’re a band that had numerous emotion on its sleeve, however one way or the other we’re not as identified for our softer facet as possibly we needs to be.
“I couldn’t have loved it extra, regardless that I used to be in a really robust scenario personally. I’ve performed with all method of accidents earlier than, however this was totally different. I ended up within the hospital in Rome, and by the point I obtained to Paris, I performed with a 102.8 temperature. I couldn’t fairly shake it, it doesn’t matter what medicines they have been attempting to provide me. But when I’m being trustworthy, it really felt like a present to really feel so horrible, as a result of I obtained to point out what I’m really able to.
“I had a cot in there as a result of I wanted to put down between takes. We broke for lunch, but it surely’s about 130 steps up a spiral staircase so I stated, ‘I’m gonna keep down right here’. It was simply me and 6 million lifeless, however I by no means felt so welcome in my life. The following day I used to be being emergency-flown to Los Angeles, and three hours after touchdown I used to be below the knife. However there’s one thing about being hit with the kitchen sink that I simply love. I’m not eager about dying, however the view from there’s fucking wonderful. So it was extra like a near-life expertise than a near-death expertise. I believe what we ended up with is one thing as actual because it will get.”