Movies

How an ancient place of death made Josh Homme feel alive

BBG News

Last night, Josh Homme relaxed with a Modelo beer in the vibrant foliage surrounding Brain Dead Studios on Fairfax Avenue. Inside, a modest gathering including some of Homme’s friends and relatives were watching “Alive in the Catacombs,” a monochrome film chronicling Queens of the Stone Age’s acoustic performance last July in the Paris Catacombs, an underground network housing approximately 6 million people beneath the streets of Paris. As we speak, the 52-year-old vocalist and guitarist is contemplating the audience’s anticipated response, all while lounging on the patio.

He expresses his pride for the movie, stating that people either dislike it strongly or find it incredibly intense, with no middle ground. “It’s love it or hate it,” he adds.

The idea behind “Alive in the Catacombs,” complete with a behind-the-scenes documentary and an upcoming five-song EP (to be released on Friday), can be traced back 20 years to a trip to Paris, where a long line prevented Josh Homme from visiting the historical site. However, he finds a certain beauty in the fact that the concert—featuring simplified versions of songs like “Villains of Circumstance” and “Suture Up Your Future”—was only made possible as he faced a health crisis that led Queens of the Stone Age to postpone the remainder of their 2024 tour. Now, with Homme having beaten cancer, Queens of the Stone Age will hit the road again this week for shows not seen in nearly a year.

Persuading Parisian officials to allow filming in the catacombs proved to be quite a challenging task.

The prevailing French attitude was somewhat obstructive, making it difficult to get straightforward answers. It was like being passed from one person to another, which we might refer to as “the runaround.” We encountered this for several years.

Are you drawn to eerie places in general? I have a soft spot for music that sends shivers down my spine. As a child, hearing The Doors made me exclaim “Wow!” and they’ve continued to terrify me ever since. My ideal image of Queens is: A hill with the sun setting behind it, and a hobbled troupe of musicians appears over the horizon. The townsfolk say, “Oh no, grab the kids.” When we sound like that, we’re at our best.

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What L.A. location could resemble the catacombs in some way?

One might think of the dilapidated shacks that serve as temporary homes for drifters, reminiscent of John Steinbeck’s writings. The Hollywood Forever cemetery, particularly at dusk, can have an eerie and haunting allure. However, I’ve always found something unsettling about the uniformity of a tree farm, which reminds me of my childhood spent working on one.

Moving further away from L.A., the oil fields of Kern County evoke a primordial feel, like fossilized remnants from an age long past – raw and scarred like wounds upon the earth’s surface.

It’s understandable to ponder why someone in such precarious health would choose to be where death is imminent. However, after dedicating nearly two decades to this, it feels almost destined when the moment arrives that I will confront the reason for its existence – a possibility so remote as to be practically nonexistent. This sentiment resonates with my romantic nature, and I find no merit in speculating about the reasons behind it. Instead, I prefer to embrace it and say, “I’m meant to be here,” acknowledging that truth and finding strength from it. There were numerous loved ones who cautioned me against this decision, and their concerns are valid. But when you consider all the signs, it’s like asking for proof of a predetermined fate – isn’t that enough?

From my perspective, I caught a glimpse behind the curtain, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t revisit. It stirred memories of how medicated I was at that time. While I understand vulnerability is essential, I tend to avoid reflecting on the past, as it often leaves me uneasy. The documentary, in essence, makes me feel this way.

Why put it out?
Because that’s what this is. I was uncomfortable in the catacombs too.

Music

The trailblazing funk artist passed away yesterday, aged 82, in Los Angeles. Below you’ll find a list of ten essential recordings he left behind.

After a lifetime of groundbreaking funk music, the legendary artist breathed his last on Monday at the age of 82 in LA. Here are ten of his most influential works for your listening pleasure.

In more casual language: Were you comfortable singing without playing the guitar in the movie? It used to be tough for me, but now it feels just as normal as anything else. I guess I’m not as attached to the guitar anymore. I’ll use whatever instrument helps convey the idea best.

As for my influences in my singing style, I’ve always been deeply captivated by Jim Morrison and his poetic expressions. Although the music quality in The Doors may not always shine, it serves as a powerful backdrop for what I believe is a genuine poet. It’s their lyrics that truly stand out in that band for me.

Your singing left me eager for you to create an album filled with classic tunes. Today, I mentioned this to my dad, and he said, “You’re not planning on retiring,” to which I replied, “Actually, I am! I’m heading over to Melvyn’s in Palm Springs to croon tunes like, ‘Fly me to the moon…'”.

You were raised in Palm Desert, a fact that might not get enough recognition as part of your heritage. In other words, it seems fitting for you to be associated with that place, just like Robert Evans was with his luxurious poolside lifestyle.

Did you ever consider that some Queens songs might not be suitable for the catacombs given their nature?
To be honest, we didn’t ponder it from that perspective. The individuals in there were unwillingly confined, so what kind of music would they appreciate? I opted to focus on themes of family, acceptance, life’s hardships, and the emotions experienced when those truths are revealed – as well as the emotions felt at their resolution. My initial thought was: How could I emotionally humble myself and provide something that these people have been yearning for? It seemed almost like a spiritual act.

Do you believe in God?
I believe in God, but God is everything I can’t understand.

Are you of the opinion that there’s some form of continued existence beyond this life? Not exactly like Rodney Dangerfield exclaiming, “Oh my God!” That’s not what I mean. However, the vital force that sustains us both cannot just vanish. It seems to me that one must eventually return to a larger cosmic sphere or home.

Previously when we conversed, you shared with me about transitioning your art pursuit from the impulsive style of your youth to a more thoughtful approach. I was curious as to how this change influenced your choice to cancel shows last year following Paris.

By the time we descended into the catacombs, it was clear within our band that things had reached an end. On the day we were scheduled to perform in Venice [a few days prior to the Paris gig], I simply couldn’t bear it any longer, so I asked to be taken to the hospital. However, I soon understood that there was no cure for my predicament within those walls. Instead, I requested a bathroom break and had them pull over, at which point we departed.

Was their actions not seen as irresponsible at the moment due to lack of knowledge and ability to understand the situation. In hindsight, they acknowledged their mistake and felt they should have persisted. We moved on to the next event in Milan since Paris was nearby. After years of work, we were so close to achieving it. Giving up seemed difficult then, but is it worth turning back just because it’s tough? Can’t push through for a couple more hours? My father once said, “Giving up on yourself is hardest the first time, and it becomes easier every time after that.

Wow, is that him? The one who raised me, and he’s thrilled to be here tonight. So, did I act improperly or not? I’m unsure of the outcome had I left.

You’ve been hesitant to discuss the details of your health condition. That’s alright. No judgment here. It was a tough and risky experience. No need to make a big deal out of it.

Queens is set to make a comeback on stage soon. I was informed I’d need at least 18 months, possibly more, to recover – but it looks like the wait will be over!

As a passionate cinephile, I’m curious about your thoughts on the movie we just watched together. It ran for approximately seven months in the theater, which gave me ample time to absorb its essence. The experience has left quite an impact, as I’ve undergone numerous changes since then and feel fantastic as a result.

Are you composing songs these days?
Absolutely! The fascinating aspect is that I feel incredibly alive and energized following my encounters with potentially risky circumstances. For quite some time, I was confined to bed rest. However, now that I’m back on my feet, I feel like an uncontainable rodeo bull – not the rider, but the bull itself! Once the gate is opened, watch out, because I’m ready to charge and cause a stir!

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2025-06-11 00:01

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