The Salt Mine Show

Now that their "Duluth Tour" is over, Queens of the Stone Age have to get their non-traditional touring kicks somehow. And since we already know they have 1.) a refined palate (see: their appearance on an upcoming holiday episode of chef Anthony Bourdain's Travel Channel show) and 2.) an affinity for all things rock (see: their music and the "Stone Age" in their name), the announcement that the band will play one mile underground in a former German salt mine next month seems just about perfect.

The mine is in Sondershausen, Germany (check out pictures here), and the show is on November 20. And the venue isn't the only special thing about the performance: Queens plan to unearth (I'm sorry) plenty of songs they have never before played live for the exclusive unplugged set.

Unfortunately, the show is only open to winners of various worldwide competitions (including some radio promotions), but the band has plenty of regular ol' dates as well, including a few more UK shows in February. Their next show is tomorrow night, October 27, in Las Vegas at the Vegoose festival.

Credit | Fark This

3's and 7's

Fuck yeah! Now this is a kickass rock video ...

Releases Today ...

John Doe - A Year in the Wilderness
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Various Artists - Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur

Random Bits & Pieces

PJ Harvey is in the studio and talking of a Fall release for her next album. Her site says ... "It seems that things have been progressing well in the studio with Flood, John Parish & co…we can expect some further news over the coming weeks."

Queens Of The Stone Age have made Era Vulgaris available for pre-order on Insound.com. QOTSA.com says "Pre-order Era Vulgaris on Insound.com, and get a bonus CD single containing the studio version of "The Fun Machine Took a Shit & Died." You want this."

The Cult's new studio album, the first since 2001, is currently being recorded in London with producer Youth (Verve, Primal Scream), who will be adding final touches and mixing. The expected release date for the yet untitled album is September 25, 2007 and will be released in conjunction with The Cult's imprint label, New Wilderness.

The Cult, led by founding members vocalist Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, will embark on a series of European arena shows with rock legends The Who starting June 5th. The band will be adding headline dates and festival appearances along the route, building on the overwhelming reaction to their 2006 sell-out world tour. A U.S. headline tour will follow in the fall.

The Datsuns have a cool video for they're new single (Waiting For Your Time To Come) off of "Smoke & Mirrors". It's like an animated painting. Go have a look at they're video section.

Josh Homme Is A Cowbellaholic

Pitchfork just got a cool interview with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age ...

Pitchfork: What's the story behind the title?

JH: It sounds like "the Vulgar Era", which I like, because that sounds like something that I would like to be part of.


Pitchfork: So you don't think we're in the vulgar era, just that it's something to shoot for?

JH: I mean, I think we're in it, and I'm stoked.

Pitchfork: Is there a U.S. tour in the works?

JH: Yeah, it starts in Bakersfield [California]. We're playing Bakersfield, Medford, Oregon, Duluth, all the cities that we never have gotten to. We're just going to play to the kids that don't often get shows.

Pitchfork: Will that be before the summer festival dates or after?

JH: Right after those. We go to Europe first, and then we're going to do what we're calling "The Duluth Tour".

Pitchfork: Where is the cowbell on Era Vulgaris?

JH: You know, it's like that old saying: "Drink one beer, but you're not an alcoholic. But play one cowbell, and you're a cowbellaholic."


Credit | Fark This