A lighthearted moment between Queens of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and a security guard during a recent show has become the subject of discussion. A clip has surfaced on social media which showed Josh jokingly rhyming with a nearby guard while walking through the audience. Homme did want the guard to stay away, but he used a jokey pun and called him ‘boy’ when making the remark. The guard is African American. The video clip was originally shared by a fan who said they simply enjoyed the spontaneous interaction.
Josh Homme lands in trouble
It was meant as a fun exchange, but it has prompted a range of interpretations after viewers debated what Josh said in the clip.
Some fans felt the phrase could be taken differently in certain contexts, writing that they “just liked the impromptu rhyme” and “didn’t mean to stir up debate.”
They added that intent and interpretation often go hand in hand, saying, “Josh said it in the same way he would to anyone regardless of who they are,” and noted that others had pointed out he used the same phrasing with multiple fans.
Some fans found the discussion overblown and others used it as a chance to talk about how language can carry different meanings depending on background and culture.
One fan summed it up saying, “For anyone concerned about Josh’s poor choice of words — it was simply just that.”
Before controversy sparked surrounding Josh’s onstage moment, he’d made headlines for a far more positive reason. Dave Grohl had recently paid homage to his “lifelong” friend Josh Homme ahead of Foo Fighters’ tour with Queens of the Stone Age.
Dave Grohl pays homage to Josh Homme
The band recently returned with the new song Asking For A Friend and have also announced a 2026 North American tour.
The former Nirvana drummer went on to pay tribute to Homme before going on to play drums on Queens of the Stone Age’s 2002 album Songs for the Deaf.
He recalled: “In 1992 I first saw the legendary Kyuss perform at the Off Ramp in Seattle and met Mr. Josh Homme. The band were friends of a friend, and before long their album, Blues for the Red Sun became the soundtrack to that summer. 33 years later and with many miles behind us, I have shared some of my life’s most rewarding musical moments with my dear friend, Josh. A lifelong bond that goes far beyond the sound we’ve made together. So it is with great happiness that we can share this next chapter together with his almighty Queens of the Stone Age.
He added, “Take cover. But none of this would be complete without new music to share from Pat, Nate, Chris, Rami, Ilan and I. ‘Asking for a Friend’ is a song for those who have waited patiently in the cold, relying on hope and faith for their horizon to appear. Searching for ‘proof’ when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again. One of many songs to come…”
