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QOTSA Split Confirmed

Mike_Diver by Mike Diver [Edit this content] ▾ 72 comments 11:54 February 12th, 2004
It's true: Queens Of The Stone Age HAVE split up. Kinda...

The band's management confirmed yesterday that bassist Nick Olivieri had left the group, stating only: "A number of incidents over the last 18 months have led to the decision that the two [that'll be Josh Homme too] can no longer maintain a working partnership."

It's thought that Homme will continue to work under the QOTSA name, with Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner stepping into the void left by Olivieri. Barrett Martin, also once of Screaming Trees, becomes the band's new drummer, replacing the departed Joey Castillo.

Speculation as to what led to Olivieri's departure is rife. It is thought that something big happened between the two on the Big Day Out tour in Australia last month. No confirmation on that as yet though.

Queens of The Stone Age
From the archive

QOTSA Split Confirmed

NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 12:19 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

and they're gonna change their name to screaming queens ...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 12:22 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

'tis a huge shame, but will we really all miss Olivieri's apparent allergy to clothing that much?
kerry | 12 Feb '04, 13:05 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Oh lord.

I feel empty.
Steve_wallace | 12 Feb '04, 13:09 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Shit.
mooseman | 12 Feb '04, 13:18 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

nnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oh god no he was such a big part in take that
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 14:20 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

yay! dum dum dum dum...another one bites the dust.
its only a shame that homme is purloining members of the legendary screaming trees to help him along in what can only be a disastrous venture.
wernhamhogg | 12 Feb '04, 14:34 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

they cant really go on as QOTSA can they?You're right, Screaming Queens it is! hehe
STUMBELEINE01 | 12 Feb '04, 14:49 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

i cant beleive this. this is crazy. This is the beginning of the end one feels. Qotsa should drop the name rather than fade out. let it become a legend...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 14:51 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

...and i didn't even get to see 'em live.

shit.
half_egg | 12 Feb '04, 15:03 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

As much as i love queens, i just can't see the sense in this - but then, they've always operated a revolving door policy- If the next album is anywhere as good as the last three, I may just forgive them.
mooseman | 12 Feb '04, 15:10 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

i did, they were shit.
Old_Anonymous_Comments @half_egg | 12 Feb '04, 15:28 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

That's funny. I salute you.
Damian @Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 15:55 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

They're good on record.

Live they're crap.

Not that much of a loss...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 16:27 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

well they'll be a hell of a lot less interesting now, and nick was one of the main members so i guess he must have had quite a lot of influence
Didn't see it coming myself
And they were great live anyway
jimmio_jim_jim | 12 Feb '04, 16:32 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I reckon they should call it a day. Retire at the top before they balls up the memory. I saw them live several times and I thought they excellent each time.
rev_thwackem | 12 Feb '04, 16:34 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Woah, more inconsequencial news. Who the shit cares about a naked ginger bassist. But you're right they should change their name; to 'We have to have a long name to disguise the fact that we are shit'.

tenwords | 12 Feb '04, 17:10 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

They were amazing on record! They were amazing live!!

They were one of the best bands of the modern era!!

They will be sorely, sorely missed!!
mana_addict | 12 Feb '04, 17:37 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

a correction - they are fantastic live. end of story. and josh has all the talent, even though nick is a whirlwind.
kicka11 | 12 Feb '04, 17:40 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

it's obvious what happened. you can see nick shouting at josh ..... "you can't concentrate cus of your fuckin wife!!"

brody = courtney = yoko ono
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 12 Feb '04, 20:15 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I dont think they can continue without Nick. It'ld be like if the Beatles had continued without John Lennon. I love them but I dont want to see them put out any shit stuff. I always thought they were just too stoned anyway most of the time to have arguments.
CaviarAndCigarets | 12 Feb '04, 20:44 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Nick rules

shame he's gone

Nevermind
pixie_queen | 12 Feb '04, 21:02 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

Tenwords, if they are so shit, why rate them 3.5 / 5 in your profile? Weirdo.
Old_Anonymous_Comments @tenwords | 12 Feb '04, 22:24 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

doesn't this basically make qotsa a reformed screaming trees with josh homme instead of the other conner? not that that's a bad thing...
Mexicola | 12 Feb '04, 22:36 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

GREAT detective work!
shotkey @Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Feb '04, 00:07 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

ah piss
SurfaRosa | 13 Feb '04, 01:16 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I blame the Nicotine, valium, Mogadon(?!!) and Cocain
bobslayer | 13 Feb '04, 05:59 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Fuck him, he couldn't sing anyway.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Feb '04, 11:36 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

not mogadon...vicadin!
maple_union | 13 Feb '04, 13:07 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

not mogadon...vicodin
maple_union | 13 Feb '04, 13:09 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

they were an awesome band once.....then a great band.....then merely a good band.....then they became a news story filler for mags like nme and kerrang.....the music did seem to be coming second place to the queens rock'n'roll image

shame that theyre gone but in my opinion things werent as good as they used to be anyway



*ps- thats what my "eNeMEy" comment refered to, them becoming tabloid fodder not the fact that they were in nme*
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Feb '04, 13:18 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Damn shame. Damn, damn shame. They restored my faith in rock music when working in a music shop and heard an import of Rated R.
I saw them five times over the last three years and in all honest only two of the gigs were any good.
I wonder how many people moaned when Oliveri left Kyuss. They went on to do their best stuff without him.
I think the next album should be quite interesting, because there will be one. You cant keep good talent down.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 13 Feb '04, 15:14 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

marijuana* cocaine*
Old_Anonymous_Comments @bobslayer | 13 Feb '04, 19:46 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Why did Josh and Nick fall out anyway?
CaviarAndCigarets | 13 Feb '04, 19:56 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

well that's the million dollar question innit?
And i'm not overly fussed, Perfectly fine tracks but nothing great...
Ramzy_ | 13 Feb '04, 20:28 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

aparently, Nick and Joey was partying too hard for Mark Lanegan's liking, so Josh had words with the two of them and it was decided that they would leave - at least, that's the official line at the mo. Altho, i do find it odd that Lanegan's also left. Jsut what the hell is going on? Is Brody becoming the next Yoko? it's looking bloody likely
mooseman @CaviarAndCigarets | 13 Feb '04, 20:54 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

Lanegan was only ever meant to be a temporary member of the band.
shadyadie @mooseman | 14 Feb '04, 00:39 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

mark lanegan i thought was just jumping on the bandwagon-the screaming trees i feel are not good, lanegan had no future. in regard to the post further up about queens music once rocking, and then gradually becoming worse is untrue. u can see from queens of the stone first album and e.p when compared to rated R. Rated R is much better than the other two. ok, so the greatest queens song-regular john is on the first major release cd, but songs for the deaf is just as amazing, profoundly composed. Has anyone not realised that Nick olivieri was the 'ROCK' of qotsa? now he's gone we will notice a more 'desert sessions' psychaedelic 100% josh homme band. The hard rock is gonna fade. oh well. good while it lasted.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 14 Feb '04, 11:12 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

theres already at least one qotsa "album" without nick on it...(the split album with kyuss, has original gamma ray session tracks on it from just about the time josh changed the name from gamma ray to qotsa)...and i think those tracks ar pretty fine
maybe we'll see a more interesting and diverse album next time around, after all some my favourite queens songs are from side projects and desert sessions.

check out the early desert sessions, slap on qotsa the album and remember the good times ;)

then go buy the kyuss albums and worship at their alter of rock !!!
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 14 Feb '04, 14:32 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

lanegan has just relesed his new solo album n its great. n the screaming trees were a great band. queens are one of the best live bands i've ever seen.
serpico | 14 Feb '04, 16:28 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

gaylord how can you say that they were shit live? you fucking dicksnap they are the best fucking live band IN THE WORLD! maybe creed might suit you better??

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

he couldnt sing? HE COULDNT SING YOU SAY? for fuck sake you're another dicksnap....nick and josh only had two of the best voices around...unique...fucken sex on a stick...maybe christina aguilera would suit you better? seeing as shes such a great singer and all

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

brody isnt his wife, and you dont know that its her fault they split, although she is some form of slutty bitch

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

richard - what are you people, stoned?!!? they are fucking BETTER live than on record. so much energy, power, fucken blows everyone away, i was literally deaf for no less than a week after i saw them...nick was an amazing bass player and singer/screamo guy. i cant believe heaps of you are saying qotsa are better off without him...qotsa are NO MORE without him

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

Vicodin will be what you're looking for.
Old_Anonymous_Comments @bobslayer | 15 Feb '04, 16:10 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Don't worry too much. I'm one of their biggest fans but I'm not so blind that I can't see where the real talent in the band lies.

Just calm down - they've given you three amazing albums PLUS all the spin offs that you fairweather fans are all only now starting to get into - and wait to see what Josh does.
This will be the second great band that he's split up and he always comes up with something else equally mind blowing.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 15 Feb '04, 16:29 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Hopefully. Kyuss were great and QOTSA were great.
CaviarAndCigarets | 15 Feb '04, 19:18 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

never seen spinal tap then?

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

he doesn't play bass on the first proper album either. That was just Josh and Fredo.

QOTSA Split Confirmed

you all suck dick, qotsa rules, there the worlds best band ever and im sure that it has'nt been confirmed yet is a silly story as of now untill it is confirmed, good by fucks
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 16 Feb '04, 13:57 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

thats a shame, he was a key memeber, i dont doubt josh homme's guitar playing skills but with nick QOTSA will never be the same, what is it with Bassist leaving bands?
IranDIS | 16 Feb '04, 14:32 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

It ok, they wernt actually that good, altho i do love josh homme, dont get me wrong! hes started up a new band tho my friend saw them supporting the distillers on wednesday, apparently theyre much better, so dont panik we will see more of our joshy
hawkinslover | 16 Feb '04, 15:28 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

whats the name of the new band
caldav_punkrock @hawkinslover | 16 Feb '04, 17:23 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

The eagles of death metal, but it's more of a side project thing and he plays drums for them.

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

The hysterical bitching about this has made my day.Keep it up,please.
cadd @Old_Anonymous_Comments | 16 Feb '04, 22:32 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I don't know much about QOTSA seeing as they weren't really very good & their proud drug addicts but most bands change their bassist, its not a big deal.

PS I saw em live & they were the MOST BORING live band ever, kind of like their music.. Not enough energy, I could fall asleep in the front row of one of their shows...... snoooore
MorningInTheMoonlight | 16 Feb '04, 23:53 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

indeed. great band but all good bands ahve to end sometime. let's face it they would only have gotten progressively worse as time went. better to go out at a high i reckon...
Theusualsuspect @kerry | 17 Feb '04, 10:50 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

yeah i seen it....your point? what's that got to do with the price of fish?

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Josh cant carry on without nick. it aint gonna work.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 21 Feb '04, 19:34 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I say bring back John G. and Brant and just relive those better days when their music brought groove into our lives. I only saw Kyuss once, but I'd paid dearly to see them perform those songs again.
Great musician will breed great music no matter what!
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 25 Feb '04, 17:24 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Queens were the best rock band eva! There music was quality. Why did they have 2 split?? Boo Hoo
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 27 Feb '04, 22:57 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I think when bands split up it's really sad and I cry. I cried when my favourite band split up. They meant alot to me. I liked their songs very much. They made me feel better. Now I feel bad. Now I have to go to the supermarket and get another box of tissues. ta ta
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 29 Feb '04, 04:23 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

Despite the name, they disliked the "stoner rock" image, especially Nick, who in multiple interviews has said he doesnt smoke pot... Although maybe Josh does, and thats why the broke up :)

Sucks hard tho

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Guys, u gotta remember, Nick wasnt even a part of queens for the first record! He only joined for the tour immediately after the self-titled album was released. I agree it is a huge loss, but considering a third of the previous stuff was made without him anyway, I'm sure it can and will continue without him.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 1 Mar '04, 05:08 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

...im gonna kill my self...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 8 Mar '04, 10:54 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

it sucks!!!!!!!
hanQOTSA | 10 Mar '04, 19:48 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

I think QOTSA can go on without Nick Oliveri. I mean he sang on some really good songs, Autopilot, Millionaire, Another Love Song, but he sang on some really crappy songs also, Tension Head, QATTP, Six Shooter
axshun_man | 10 Apr '04, 19:09 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

i couldn't give a shit :)
d99fletch | 1 Sep '05, 23:58 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

Well they were never gonna top Rated R anyway. I got bored of them ages ago.
Thom_fa | 2 Sep '05, 02:54 | X | Reply

QOTSA Split Confirmed

you do know its an 18 month old article?
neil_mac | 2 Sep '05, 09:34 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

quite what your bowels are up to is really not our concern.
shadyadie @d99fletch | 3 Sep '05, 04:38 | X | Reply

Re: QOTSA Split Confirmed

Shhhhhh.
Thom_fa @neil_mac | 3 Sep '05, 04:48 | X | Reply

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