Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band formed in 1996 in Palm Desert, California. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme, who has been the only permanent member throughout multiple line-up changes.
Why are they called Queens of the Stone Age?
Following the disbandment of John Homme’s previous band, Kyuss, in 1995, he briefly joined Screaming Trees as a touring guitarist, before deciding to form a new band, Gamma Ray.
In 1996 they released the eponymous Gamma Ray EP, featuring “Born to Hula” and “If Only Everything” (which would later appear on their self-titled debut as “If Only”). The EP featured Matt Cameron of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, Van Conner from Screaming Trees, and percussionist Victor Indrizzo.
Gamma Ray changed their name in 1997 after the German power metal band Gamma Ray threatened to sue.
The name “Queens of the Stone Age” came from a nickname given to Kyuss by their producer Chris Goss.
Are Queens of the Stone Age still together?
Queens of the Stone Age has been in active music from 1996 to the present although some of the band members have left.