As a trio, their pedigree is hard to beat.
Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age form Them Crooked Vultures.
“We all love playing music and the music that we make together, and it’s really fun to be in a band with other musicians that you’re trying to please,” says Dave Grohl.
“So when I’m on stage, I’m excited, I’m happy that there’s an audience there and that they’re getting off on what we’re doing, but for the most part I like to entertain the other guys in the band while we’re playing.
“So if John and I are facing each other during a section of a song, we’ll throw things back and forth to entertain each other, and there are moments when Josh comes into the drum set. Not only do we enjoy each other’s company, but we enjoy each other’s musical company while we’re playing.”
Does it faze Dave and Josh that they are playing with one of the greatest musicians of all time in the form of John Paul Jones?
“Well, he’s seen it all before, so it’s not like we’re really going to blow him away,” says Grohl, laughing.
Homme says he does most of his showing off backstage.
“I’m spent for being an arrogant bastard,” he says.
Paul Jones says he remembers playing in New Zealand back in 1972.
“We played a big open air show, it was open and airy, it was great, I loved it. And the country was full of Morris Oxfords,” he says.
Homme says there is something special that makes the Vultures so successful.
“Honestly, I love chemistry that looks a little bit odd on paper.
“I always take inspiration from people that are off the beaten path, so when I look at the chemistry of this band, it makes absolute sense to me. It almost looks like we are at different points along the same highway of inspiration.
“Frankly, everyone here is a hard worker, and I need that sort of willingness to work yourself to the ground. Because that’s what makes the difference to me, is when you rest in music, I don’t have the same amount of people who rest too much.”
Paul Jones agrees with Homme.
“I’ve never been in a band that’s not worked, to be honest – well, not for longer than five minutes anyway.
“Everybody really has to put the same commitment and work into it. We have a lot of fun making our music, we take it extremely seriously.”