In a new chat with El País, Josh Homme talked about modern masculinity.
“I don’t know, the only thing I know is that it is important to be a man,” the Queens of the Stone Age frontman said when asked whether modern masculinity relates to rock music losing its popularity. “But not in the sense of what you think a man should be, but in the sense of what you think you should be.”
Homme continued, “I think a man, above all, should be a good listener. Someone who, above all, listens. And then, someone who is able to put himself at risk for others. I believe in a kind of the masculine role, but also in someone who can exercise it, because he knows and is at peace with his feminine side.”
“I know there are those who won’t think the same way, but I also know that you can lose yourself when you’re not willing to know yourself, and when you don’t have a role,” the singer added.
Homme previously recalled the wild ‘generator parties’ from his early band Kyuss in an April 2024 interview with Q by Tom Power. These desert parties were thrilling but could get violent. The vocalist felt that the frequent violence at these events changed his view of what being a man means.
“I do think there is a brutality attached to being a man, but I don’t think it should be at the forefront of how you identify yourself as a man,” Homme explained. “Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss, that world was really unpredictable. By today’s standards, it would be downright illegal, and outrageous.”
QOTSA’s North American tour starts on September 27 in Boston. After performing in Memphis on October 6, they will have a show in Mexico City on November 17.