Sonicnet Music News

Queens Of The Stone Age will kick off the next leg of their headlining tour in support of "Rated R" on September 16 in New Orleans.

Bassist-vocalist Nick Oliveri and guitarist-vocalist Josh Homme formed Queens Of The Stone Age out of the ashes of the hard-rocking Southern California desert band Kyuss. The two released their self-titled debut in 1998 on Seattle indie label Loosegroove. The single "If Only" bombarded rock radio, and the band toured tirelessly behind the album.

Rounding out the Queens Of The Stone Age lineup are guitarist-keyboardist Dave Catching and drummer Gene Troutman. The band also recruited a host of friends to contribute their talents to the recording of "Rated R.

Josh and I wanted to bring in as many friends as possible," Oliveri said, "to make it a party, to make it fun. Sure, it's our work, but it's also good time." Guests include Pete Stahl and Wendy Rae Moan of earthlings?, Barrett

Martin of Screaming Trees and Tuatara, and Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan, who steps up to the microphone for lead vocals on the affecting "Into The Fade.

On "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer," co-producer Chris Goss enlisted ex-Judas Priest singer Rob Halford, who happened to be recording next door. "He is a really cool, charming guy," Goss said. "I was really impressed that he wasn't some isolated dinosaur still living in the past. He was really aware of the Queens and the music that has been coming out of the desert for the last 10 years.

One-man rock project VAST will open shows on the Queens' tour. VAST's second album, "Music For The People," will be released September 19.

Queens Of The Stone Age tour dates:

• 9/16 - New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
• 9/18 - Memphis, TN @ Last Place On Earth
• 9/20 - Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club
• 9/21 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
• 9/22 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
• 9/23 - Norfolk, VA

@ Boathouse