While in high school, Homme got together with locals Brant Bjork, Chris Cockrell (later replaced by Nick Oliveri) and John Garcia resulting in the formation of Kyuss (firstly known as "Sons of Kyuss"). Queens of the Stone Age formed in 1997, rising from the ashes of Kyuss and began playing together during the now legendary Desert Sessions. Homme has drawn all of the members from that diverse group of musicians for Queens of the Stone Age. The band originally formed under the name Gamma Ray, but almost faced a lawsuit from the European metal band of the same name.
Queens of the Stone Age have gone through many line-up changes since first breaking into the hard rock scene. Their most recent line-up includes: Josh Homme (guitar, vocals), Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar, lap steel, keyboards, backing vocals), Jon Theodore (drums, percussion), Michael Shuman (bass, backing vocals), and Dean Fertita (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals).
Former core members include Joey Castillo, Alain Johannes, Natasha Shneider, Mark Lanegan, and Nick Oliveri, among other members and contributors. In 2002, regarding the band line-up, Homme said: "It really is more of a musical experiment… It keeps moving and reinventing itself. That way we never get painted into a corner."
Dave Grohl recorded drums, percussion and backing vocals on Songs for the Deaf and toured in support of the album in 2002 before returning to the Foo Fighters. Grohl also made a live appearance in 2007, to play Make It wit Chu, and recorded tracks on …Like Clockwork, following Joey Castillo's departure.
Mark Lanegan has long been an on/off vocalist for the band, toured from 2001 to 2005 and made live appearances in 2007 and 2010. He has recorded with the band on all albums except for their self-titled debut album. Lanegan has also played keyboards in live performances during the tour preceding the release of Lullabies to Paralyze, before Natasha Shneider joined the band.
Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri were seen as the only two consistent Queens of the Stone Age members. Oliveri had previously played alongside Homme in the band Kyuss and joined Queens of the Stone Age as its permanent bass guitarist and co-lead vocalist, in 1998, upon the release of its debut album, Queens of the Stone Age. Being friends since childhood, the two meshed well together. Oliveri's punk background brought an element of danger and attitude to the Queens' live shows. As the band's two core members, the duo recorded the breakthrough albums, Rated R and Songs for the Deaf, together. Oliveri's unique "howling" singing style made him easily distinguishable on songs such as Six Shooter from the album Songs for the Deaf; he also displays a more melodic singing style in Rated R songs such as Auto Pilot.
However, Homme fired Oliveri in 2004 for excessive partying and an alleged incident of domestic abuse (an accusation which Oliveri strongly denies). The duo repaired their friendship shortly afterwards. Oliveri, however, did not return to the band. In 2013, upon hearing that former contributor Dave Grohl was recording drums for the band's sixth studio album, …Like Clockwork, Oliveri asked Homme if he too could return on bass guitar. Homme ultimately did not grant Oliveri's request. He does, however, appear on backing vocals on the album track, If I Had a Tail.
Diskographie:
1997 - Kyuss / Queens of the Stone Age
1998 - Queens of the Stone Age / Beaver Split
1998 - Queens of the Stone Age
2000 - Rated R
2002 - Songs for the Deaf
2002 - Sample This School Boy
2002 - 2002-10-29: Rock City, Nottingham, UK
2002 - 2002-11-06: Stockholm, Sweden
2003 - Songs For The Deaf Tour Edition
2004 - Stone Age Complication
2005 - Lullabies to Paralyze
2005 - Lullabies To Paralize Tour Edition
2005 - MTV Unplugged (Berlin 2005-06-10)
2005 - Over the Years and Through the Woods
2006 - 2005-12-20: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2006 - Over The Years And Through The Woods
2007 - The Definitive Collection Of B-sides & Rarities
2007 - Era Vulgaris
2008 - Era Vulgaris Tour Edition
2013 - ...Like Clockwork
2017 - Villains
2023 - In Times New Roman...
Walkin' on the Sidewalks
Queens of the Stone Age Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loose teeth in my head
New programs are coming in
So rise and take your oath
I wish we could get away
Drink wine and screw
I knew someone else before
Looked a lot like you
[Chorus]
And they're gone
I'm gone
In space
I been programed as I said before
Technology
Just rollin', wheezin' and breathin'
Eyeballs and teeth
Words are weightless here on earth because they're free
You knew someone else before
Looked a lot like me
[Chorus: x2]
In Queens of the Stone Age's song "Walkin' on the Sidewalks," the lyrics paint a picture of feeling trapped in a technological world. The singer refers to "action on the other side" and "new programs coming in," suggesting a world beyond our understanding. The mention of loose teeth in the head could be seen as a physical representation of the chaos and confusion that comes with this feeling. The singer wishes they could escape this world, longing for the simpler pleasures of drinking wine and engaging in physical pleasure. However, it seems they are resigned to their fate, feeling programmed and robotic as they "roll" through life.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of similarity and familiarity, as the singer notes that they and another person "looked a lot alike" and "knew someone else before." This could be interpreted as a commentary on our society's tendency towards conformity and our struggle to differentiate ourselves in a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and technology. In the end, the chorus repeats the phrase "they're gone/I'm gone/in space," perhaps indicating a feeling of isolation or detachment from humanity.
Overall, "Walkin' on the Sidewalks" is a powerful commentary on the ways in which technology and society intersect and affect our daily lives. Through its vivid lyrics and intense energy, the song captures the overwhelming feeling of being trapped in a world beyond our control.
Line by Line Meaning
Got some action on the other side
Something interesting or exciting is happening somewhere else.
Loose teeth in my head
I am feeling unsettled or anxious about something in my life.
New programs are coming in
There are new ideas or technologies emerging that are important to pay attention to.
So rise and take your oath
It is time to commit to a particular course of action or belief.
I wish we could get away
I want to escape from the stress or monotony of everyday life.
Drink wine and screw
I want to indulge in pleasure and forget my problems for a while.
I knew someone else before, looked a lot like you
I have had experiences with people who resemble you in some way.
And they're gone, I'm gone, in space
The people and experiences from earlier in my life have passed, and I have moved on to new things, feeling somewhat lost or disconnected in the process.
I been programed as I said before, technology
My actions and experiences are influenced by technology and the systems that govern our society.
Just rollin', wheezin' and breathin', eyeballs and teeth
I am just barely getting by, feeling worn out and lacking vitality, with only basic physical attributes identifying me as a human being.
Words are weightless here on earth because they're free
Language and communication have great power and importance in our society, but they can also be easily ignored or dismissed.
You knew someone else before, looked a lot like me
You have had experiences with people who resemble me in some way.
Chorus
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the feeling of being lost or disconnected from something meaningful.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH HOMME, ALFREDO HERNANDEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sKuvy
Got some action on the other side
Loose teeth in my head
New programs are coming in
So rise and take your oath
I wish we could get away
Drink wine and screw
I knew someone else before
Looked a lot like you
[Chorus]
And they're gone
I'm gone
In space
I been programed as I said before
Technology
Just rollin', wheezin' and breathin'
Eyeballs and teeth
Words are weightless here on earth because they're free
You knew someone else before
Looked a lot like me
[Chorus: x2]
saturimetro
this song doesn't get nearly enough love
Business Raptor
DEEP TRACKS ONLY!
Avon
That guitar solo towards the end never gets old.
cunn9305
I've listened to this song at least once a week for the past 20 years
vincent den Haan
We really need a new album!!!
APAL880
Agreed, and hopefully it's something heavy! And having Nick on it would be unreal.
Claurio Silva Neves
Yes... We also need the current lineup recreating this album, and R... A new spin to old songs...
Claurio Silva Neves
@APAL880 yes... Not a deal breaker, but a really great extra.
Mikey Shoes grew on me, tbh. I loved what he did on their last 3 albums. He and Nick are 2 completely different beasts. Love them both.
Quality Jokes
youll get another pop bullshit, becareful what you wish for
Needles
@Quality Jokesnaw so far, it's sounding great