When You Own the World You're Always Homme

I realise this post would have been far more appropriate a few weekends ago, but hey, better late than never. Today's post goes out to my favourite frontman of all time, Joshua Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, and one third of the incredible super band Them Crooked Vultures. In all honestly, for someone who is such as massive fan, it was only yesterday whilst watching QOTSA's Rock Night set on Channel 4 that I realised the man was covered in interesting ink, so I did my research...

...Not without a little introduction to one of the Music's greatest gifts first!

"I'm a fatalist. I believe things happen for a reason. I think you make a choice and you enact your fate, so don't f*** it up."

Inspired by Hendrix,  Björk and Johnny Cash, Homme has been playing guitar since he was 9 years old. He went on to perform in "stoner-rock band" Kyuss, who broke up 7 years and four studio albums later. Within a year, Homme was already touring with Screaming Trees, and developing  a new project: co-founding Gamma Ray with Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner and Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. After receiving threats to sue from a German metal band of the same name, they renamed themselves, and so Queens of the Stone Age were born.

Now, in 2013 after a multitude of members including Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri, Rob Halford of Judas Priest and ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, (to mention 3 of what seems like 300) the band have been nominated multiple times for "Best Hard Rock Performance." QOTSA have collectively achieved 6 studio albums, the latest this year "Like Clockwork" and a sell out world tour. I was lucky enough to see them, and it was literally the happiest moment of my life.


Anyways, I could ramble on for hours about how much I adore the band, their side projects and Josh Homme (due to his sparkling reputation as "one of the nice guys of hard rock") but I'll get down to it: Homme's interesting array of sentimental tattoos:

• First off we have some knuckle tattoos - not a personal favourite of mine but when you're on stage strumming a guitar, I have to say it looks pretty bad ass. Homme has both knuckles with nicknames "Cap" and "Cam"  (both pinky fingers complete with black hearts) symbolising his love for his grandparents.

Homme's knuckle tattoo. Image from: http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/05/josh-homme-tattoos.html

• Homme's right forearm is decorated with "Freitag 4.15" which is interestingly enough the date of the "Worst gig we have ever played," According to the band who played in Germany in front of 40,000 people on a friday at 4:15. 

• Also accompanying this on the forearm is a straight razor with "Born to Win."

• On the back of his right forearm, Homme has a string of 6 hearts. 

Homme's right forearm. Image from: http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/05/josh-homme-tattoos.html

• Not to leave the other arm excluded, 5 hearts complete his left arm

Homme's left arm. Image from: http://www.celebritytattoosite.com/2010/05/josh-homme-tattoos.html

• Finally completing the line up is "Camille" across his heart - The name of his daughter, done after her birth.

Josh Homme, singer, songwriter, guitarist, rock legend, all round nice guy

Lauren x

If you've yet to listen to their incredible discography, I recommend these 10 incredible tracks to get you loving them:  http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/may/10/queens-of-the-stone-age-beginners-guide