Queens of the Stone Age is back with new music, and the announcement of an extended tour that will see the rockers finish the year touring the lands down under.
But first, the arrival of QOTSA’s new single “Easy Street” (via Matador Records / Remote Control Records), the band’s first new song since 2023 studio album In Times New Roman.
Featuring vocals from Nikki Lane, the mid-tempo “Easy Street’ is accompanied by a weird and wonderful music video directed by Tony Wolski and Christopher Gruse, based on a story and idea by frontman Josh Homme.
“It’s kind of a funny song,” remarks Homme, who produced it with Michael Shuman. “It’s like hitting your funny bone, where it’s funny because it hurts and it hurts because it’s funny. You’re serious, but it’s funny,” he continues. “We made it the way you’d make a demo. No click track, mistakes left in. It speeds up, it slows down, the claps aren’t great, but they’re not bad, and a bad clap adds this human thing you can’t fake.”
He continues, “It’s not just about silliness. It’s about understanding the imperfection of your life. The song, like your life, is in the mistakes. Its imperfections are unbeatable.”
With new music comes additional tour dates. As the new Australasian itinerary currently stands, Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore will embark on a seven-city visit of capital cities and at least two regional centers.
On that route, the band will play a mix of outdoor and arena shows, starting Dec. 8 at Adelaide’s The Drive. The QOTSA show will then hit the road for arena concerts in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, and wrap up Dec. 20 at Auckland’s Spark Arena.
Australian and New Zealand fans will be the first to experience a brand-new show following QOTSA’s current European tour with System of a Down and scheduled U.S. dates with Foo Fighters, plus a headline show in Iceland set for October, according to Live Nation, which is production the run of Australia and New Zealand.
Special guests on the ANZ tour are ‘90s alternative rockers Primus and homegrown experimental art-punk quartet Tropical F*ck Storm.
The general on sale begins Monday, July 20 at 11am. For complete tour and ticket information, visit livenation.com.au and livenation.co.nz.
