Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme recently shared his candid thoughts on The Doors. He drew an unexpected comparison to the Eagles in a discussion featured on Dean Delray.
Homme reflected on his early exposure to The Doors and the profound impact their music had on him as a young listener.
“Doors was one of the first bands I heard from my parents, you know, and Doors is one of the first times I remember being scared of music,” Homme said. “Songs like Not to Touch the Earth and The End, you know, these and these long um foray where they’re listening to each other in order to figure out where the song goes and where it ends and how this happens. Or the Crystal Ship. This is kind of a terrifying, beautiful, fragile song.”
The musician then addressed the polarizing nature of The Doors’ music. He made a surprising comparison to another iconic American band.
“A lot of people f*cking hate the Doors. You’re either in or out. It’s a bit like the Eagles,” he continued. “I mean, you listen to that song Five To One and the vocal style of that, It’s like listening to a drunk witch. There’s such a snarl and not an indifference, but this, you know, I don’t care about you anymore. I don’t care what you think anymore. This letting go of judgment in that vocal style. I think Jim Morrison’s one of the great American poets, hands down.”
Homme’s perspective on The Doors comes from decades of experience in the rock music scene. He has established himself as one of the most influential figures in modern alternative rock.
Riffipedia noted that Homme is best known as the founder, primary songwriter, and only continuous member of Queens of the Stone Age, which he formed in 1996. His musical journey began much earlier. Howland Echoes reported that he started his career as the young guitarist in legendary desert rock outfit Kyuss from 1987 to 1995.
The transition from Kyuss to Queens of the Stone Age marked a significant evolution in Homme’s artistic vision. Kyuss was known for their heavy and sludgy desert rock sound. QOTSA allowed Homme to explore a broader musical palette while maintaining his distinctive approach to songwriting and guitar work.
Beyond his primary band, Homme has demonstrated remarkable versatility as a musician and collaborator. AllMusic documented that he co-founded Eagles of Death Metal, where he plays drums on studio recordings, showcasing his multi-instrumental abilities. His production work has also gained recognition. He has produced albums for notable artists including Arctic Monkeys and Iggy Pop.
Homme’s comments about The Doors reflect his deep understanding of music that challenges conventional boundaries. His comparison between The Doors and the Eagles highlights how certain bands create strong emotional responses that divide listeners. This is a phenomenon he has likely experienced with his own work throughout his career spanning nearly four decades in rock music.
