Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme is one of the more than 70 artists who helped determined Consequence’s list of the 100 Best Bands of All Time.
We caught up with Homme ahead of the October 30th of Queens of the Stone Age’s new album, Perfecth. In addition to talking about the album, possible reunions with Them Crooked Vultures and Kyuss, and that anti-corporate rant he delivered over the summer, the singer-guitarist was gracious enough to offer his personal picks for the three greatest bands ever.
The QOTSA frontman first named The Jimi Hendrix Experience, calling Hendrix an “alien.” He went on to name pick legends The Cramps as another choice, before wrapping up with proto-punk icons The Stooges, led by the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop.
Watch the video above to see Josh Homme discuss his choices for the three greatest bands of all time and see select quotes from him about each act below. Then, check out which two of his three picks landed on our final list.
Keep your eyes on all our Band Week content to see ballots from more contributing artists, including Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker, and Fred Armisen. You can also pick up the 25 Essential Albums by the Greatest Bands of All Time.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience (photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) / The Stooges (photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) / The Cramps (photo by David Godlis)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
“[Jimi] Hendrix was an alien. Is he a band, though? I guess it’s the [Jimi] Hendrix Experience, so I guess he counts…. Can only be mimicked but cannot be bested.”
The Cramps
“The Cramps, where it’s bridging punk rock in its truest form… Lux Interior in vinyl pants with three-inch pumps, breaking mic stands, drinking wine, and breaking bottles. Meanwhile, such a strong female personality in Poison Ivy, a woman who never smiled… but was such a badass, and seemed almost impervious to critique. And their music’s so sexy. And Bryan Gregory with his pock face and perma-cigarette, and hard-cut hair… For me, the Cramps are one of the greatest bands of all time, and should go in there, and are largely overlooked.”
The Stooges
“A band universally disliked when it came out. You think of the time release of that band. It took 35 years for people to finally catch up. That’s a lonely time release, thinking, ‘I know that we got it right,’ and everyone else takes that long to get it. I still move that if you find me your wildest band, the craziest band, and play Raw Power first, and then play that band, watch that band fold like a house of cards. It’s called Raw Power, and that’s what it is.”
