Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme discussed a possible Them Crooked Vultures reunion in a new Visions magazine interview. He also discussed Taylor Hawkins.
At the tribute concert for Taylor Hawkins in London in 2022 you were on stage together with John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl as Them Crooked Vultures for the first time in years. How was it for you?
I’m in regular contact with both of them and just really enjoyed performing with them on the occasion. I think Taylor would have loved it too. But to be honest, nobody has to ask me twice to share a stage with either of them.
So will there be more Them Crooked Vultures in the future?
I said to Dave in London, “Just let me know when you’re ready.” Getting the band together is his job, mine is then writing crude stuff. And I’m always ready to do my part when he’s ready for his. But I don’t want to put any pressure on him because that’s definitely what he needs the least in the current situation. So please take my words as said with minimal pressure and maximum love for Dave.
Some of the recording for the new album took place at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios. Was it ever an option to work with him as a producer?—
I know how to make albums now and I like my sound raw. I love the process of making an album with the other guys. We don’t really need anyone to add to that. I have a lot of respect for Rick, but the reason I recorded in his studio was so that it looks and feels like the name suggests. And it’s not far from me. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I enjoyed working on this album. How glad I am not to have to share this feeling with a new producer. When you’re writing a song about your own grief, the last thing you want is for someone to say to you, “How about you maybe try this.” It’s already real enough for you, you don’t need any more voices.
