Them Crooked Vultures Overview:
Them Crooked Vultures are a hard rock collaboration between three musicians – Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. Though the project had been rumored for several years, Them Crooked Vultures finally made significant headway in 2009 when the band began playing shows.
Them Crooked Vultures' Origins:
Them Crooked Vultures was first mentioned in a 2005 interview when Dave Grohl was quoted in Mojo suggesting that he wanted his next album to be a project with Josh Homme on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass and himself on drums, which would be a return to the instrument he made his name on with Nirvana. At the time, no one knew if the project (which had no name) would be similar to Grohl’s 2004 Probot, a heavy metal album he wrote and recorded that featured guest vocalists.
Getting Into the Studio:
Them Crooked Vultures began heating up when reports circulated in April 2009 that Grohl and Homme were recording together in Los Angeles. The two men are friends – and, in fact, Grohl had drummed on Queens of the Stone Age’s 2002 album, Songs for the Deaf – so it didn’t necessarily suggest that they were working on this project, but further inquiries confirmed that they and Jones were moving forward with their supergroup. Still, the project had no name, and it wasn’t entirely clear what the band’s sound would be, although it was assumed that it would be hard rock because of the three artists’ background.
Taking the Stage:
Them Crooked Vultures finally unveiled their name – and their sound and lineup – at a performance on August 10, 2009. Playing a club in Chicago just after midnight, Them Crooked Vultures took the stage, joined by guitarist Alain Johannes, for a 12-song set heavy with hard rock numbers. Soon after, a second show was announced in Amsterdam for August 19. Rumors started circulating about an album release in October, but the band officially released their self-titled debut on November 17.
Josh Homme – vocals, guitar
John Paul Jones – bass, keyboards
Them Crooked Vultures Lineup:
Dave Grohl – drumsJosh Homme – vocals, guitar
John Paul Jones – bass, keyboards
Them Crooked Vultures Discography:
Them Crooked Vultures (2009)
