Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme recently caught up with Stereogum to discuss all things death. The band just wrapped up their “Alive in the Catacombs” tour, supporting their recently released concert film recorded in the famous Paris Catacombs – which is home to the remains of approximately six million people.
While we hope Homme will be with us for many years to come, the singer revealed in the interview that he has already decided what he wants done with his remains when he eventually passes away.
“I want to be cremated, in part, to go where all my family is,” Homme said, before sharing that he has some more unconventional plans for the rest of his ashes.
“But then I want the rest… I got this spot out in the desert, a little plot. And I want to be poured into this concrete, my ashes, under a table with chairs out of concrete. And I want young kids to party and think deep thoughts under the stars in the desert.”
Considering Homme has a long history of making music out in the desert – from Kyuss to the Desert Sessions and other projects recorded at Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree, CA – a desert burial seems fitting for the musician.
During his interview with Stereogum, Homme also revealed how a near death experience at 12 years old changed his outlook on life and shaped him into the person he is today.
“There is sort of an elation post that. I remember it well and I remember thinking, I’m just going to do what I want to do. I don’t think I should wait and just do what everyone else says,” he said, reflecting on how he felt after nearly drowning in a boat accident.
“It messed with the sense of timing of life,” he added. “There’s no real reason to wait. You think people are thinking about what you’ve done when you feel embarrassed or shy, but really they’re not thinking about you at all. So you should just do whatever you want to do. […] Life seems like it’s super long until it almost isn’t. It’s actually so short.”
