Queens of the Stone Age

USA, 1996–now

Josh Homme's band, formed in Palm Desert in 1996 out of the ashes of desert-rock pioneers Kyuss. Their groove-driven, hypnotic heavy rock (Songs for the Deaf, 'No One Knows') made them one of the most influential hard-rock acts of the 2000s.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Queens of the Stone Age and 1 artist Queens of the Stone Age influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Queens of the Stone Age?

• Kyuss — Josh Homme formed Queens of the Stone Age straight out of Kyuss — the desert/stoner-rock band whose heavy, hypnotic riffing is the direct source of QOTSA's sound.
• Black Sabbath — Black Sabbath's heavy, down-tuned riffing is the doom-rock bedrock of QOTSA's groove-driven hard rock.
• Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin's dynamic heavy blues-rock is a foundation of QOTSA's riff-centric songwriting.

Which artists did Queens of the Stone Age influence?

• Royal Blood — Queens of the Stone Age's hypnotic, groove-driven heavy rock is a direct model for Royal Blood's riff-centric sound — Mike Kerr has repeatedly named QOTSA a formative influence.