Latest news with #ParisCatacombs
ABC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
How Josh Homme overcame a health crisis for Queens of the Stone Age's Alive in the Catacombs
Josh Homme has held a life-long fascination with the Paris Catacombs, the world-famous ossuary sprawling across a 320km maze of tunnels and chambers 20 metres beneath the streets of the French capital. "I heard about the catacombs as a boy in history class," he tells Double J's Dylan Lewis. Consecrated as the Paris Municipal Ossuary in 1786, the remains of an estimated 6 million people lie there, their skulls and bones lining the walls. What could be cooler to a kid intrigued by the taboo of death? "I think the fascination with death, trying to live your life in a way that makes dying seem like you understand it by the time you're there, has always been there since I was a little boy." As the 52-year-old frontman of world-renowned rock band Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA), Homme is now celebrating Alive in the Catacombs, a short film and accompanying five-track album documenting the group's subterranean performance. Released (fittingly) on Friday, the 13th of June, the project's inspiration came to Homme "on a day off in Paris around 18 or 19 years ago. I tried to go to the catacombs and the line was like three-and-a-half hours long. "So, it's got an even more entitled beginning," he jokes. "How can I skip the line!?" It took a lot of patience and "conversations over many years" with French authoroties to secure the necessary permissions, says Homme. "It's a shame the French don't have a word for bureaucracy," he deadpans. "[Also] they thought our intention was … to take advantage, maybe. But quickly, we were able to dispel that." With a little help from local producers to grease the wheels, QOTSA were able to convince the powers that be, becoming the first band to gain legal access to the catacombs. "But definitely not the first people to play there," Homme points out. From orchestral concerts in the late 1800s to rumoured underground raves, the Catacombs have a long music history. Cataphiles, the community of urban explorers who illegally tour the underground networks, even established a clandestine cinema. "The police went in [2004] and there was a movie projector and all these seats. Other times, there was a full dinner table. They'd go back the next day and it's all gone, a note saying: 'Don't try to find us.'" That long history is "part of the charm", Homme continues. "It's a very intense place to be." Rather than bring their signature heavy rock show, QOTSA radically reworked material from their back catalogue to suit the new setting. Pared-back versions of 'Kalopsia' and 'Suture Up Your Future' feature a small string section, acoustic guitars, chains for percussion, and an electric piano hooked up to a car battery. Homme imagined, "What if I was writing these songs now, again, for this space? The first time I ever went in there was the night before. So, we're walking with the director and sort of improvising and listening to what the Catacombs is telling you what you could do." Uncharacteristically tender for a band famed for its grit and swagger, the lean arrangements expose and underscore Homme's lyrics and the velvety croon that's seen the musician hailed as 'the ginger Elvis'. "I imagined it would be cathedral-like, with endless reverb. But the ceiling is dripping, the floor is gravel, and the air is thick with humidity," he explains. That haunting ambience leaked into the recordings, while stark lighting and performances augment the intimacy of the concert film. "I will say playing there felt like getting on our knees and putting your head down. It had a very religious connotation to it. We were there to respectfully do our best." Working with La Blogothèque, a Paris-based production company best-known for their intimate, cinéma-vérité-style Take Away Shows, QOTSA shot each song in just a few takes. "There were more than a few times where it felt, 'Yeah, OK … we're not doing it again,'" remarks Homme. "There's no edits or fixing. It is what it is, playing down there and that's it. "We could've done eight [songs] but were just like, 'No, man, never leave them wanting less. It's OK to stop.'" The feeling, Homme believes for him and the millions of spirits listening along, was satisfaction. "You're talking about an audience that doesn't get a lot of performances," he adds with a smirk. Adding a layer of unexpected significance was the fact Homme felt like he was at death's door during filming. "My temperature was not the same as everyone else's," he confesses. "So, my experience was much different." That's an understatement. Homme was battling mounting illness related to surgery for his 2022 cancer diagnosis. In the lead-up to the Catacombs shoot on July 8, 2024, QOTSA cancelled several European tour dates for Homme to undergo emergency treatment in Venice. "I'd been asked to stop playing for days by then, and I knew the tour was over," he admits. But despite doctor's orders, he wasn't going to let a health crisis ruin a passion project decades in the making. "I just wanted it so bad, you know? … I broke out of the emergency room. "I went, 'Where's the rest room?' And I was in my gown, I grabbed the rest of my shit [and] I split." Homme's travel agent was waiting at the back door with a getaway car and a rational question. "She was like, 'Why are you doing this?!' "Because you never get the chance to show what you're really made of. I revel in [and] romanticise these moments. It felt like: 'You're here, so what are you going to do? Are you going to do it or not?'" Homme soldiered on through the Catacombs shoot while battling a 40°C fever. Peak rock'n'roll behaviour? Or purely irresponsible? Either way, Homme is clearly a man who lives by the words he sings in 'Suture Up Your Future': "I don't care if it hurts/Just so long as it's real.' The day after the catacombs, "I was on an emergency flight. I was in surgery within three hours of landing." Queens of the Stone Age ended up cancelling the remainder of their 2024 shows. The cover of Alive at the Catacombs is lifted from the film's opening shot of Homme lying dead still on an altar before rising for opening track 'Running Joke/Paper Machete'. The sequence was a matter of necessity as much as artistry. "It was more out of mere exhaustion," explains Homme, who just needed somewhere to lie down. He remembers director Thomas Rames exclaiming, "Don't move!" "And I was like, 'Good because I can't,'" he chuckles. The frontman upgraded to resting on a cot between takes. When the crew broke for lunch, Homme was unable to face the claustrophobic spiral staircase back up to the surface and instead lay down and took advantage of the deathly quiet. "I thought, 'If there was ever a moment to be haunted, this is that moment,'" he remembers. "In all honesty, I felt so held close, held fast. It felt like, 'Don't just play here. Stay here.' And I slept like a baby." His cot situated out of sight in a poorly lit hallway, Homme rose upon hearing "two young French interns … crunching on the gravel, speaking in French. "I just sat up and said, 'What time is it?' They both went: 'Arrrggghhh!' I was like, 'Pardon mois!'" Alive at the Catacombs takes pride of place on a bucket list that includes starting a supergroup with Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, and his idol Iggy Pop for 2016 album Post Pop Depression. "It was always a dream to do this. For now, I'm just going to sit in the proverbial Jacuzzi of this and just bubble. I'm not going to look forward right now, I'm just going to look straight down."
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liam Gallagher Has Joined the Oasis Rehearsals and Confirms That Reunited Band Sounds ‘F–king FILTHY'
It is a mere 30 days until Oasis take the stage at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales to kick off their first tour in more than 16 years. The anticipation for the long-awaited reunion of formerly battling brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher has been slowly building as images of band members arriving for rehearsals have leaked out over the past week. And on Tuesday morning (June 3), singer Liam weighed in and gave a very positive assessment of how things are going. 'We have LIFT OFF Rastas sounded f–king FILTHY,' he wrote on X. 'I'll tell thee that there for hardly anything.' When a fan asked if he was nervous to step to the mic, the singer brushed off the question, responding 'Dont be ridiculous.' More from Billboard Queens of the Stone Age Couldn't 'Over-Rehearse' for Paris Catacombs Concert Film: 'You Go Down There & All the Plans Are Off' Billboard & Global Venture Partners Launch Billboard Africa Here's What Fans Think of SiR Claiming Drake Had His 2024 Toronto Show Canceled When another commenter wondered 'did you sound amazing?,' the cheeky vocalist said, 'Cmon,' telling a different fan that rehearsing with the band again was 'SPIRITUAL' and that rehearsals so far were 'BIBLICAL.' Not one to get misty about much, Gallagher told an inquiring mind who wanted to know if it was 'emotional playing with everyone' for the first time in 16 years, 'no time to get emotional we have a lot of catching up to do.' By Wednesday morning (June 4), Gallagher was already seemingly getting a bit punchy, inexplicably posting 'MOISTIFICATION for the NATION,' and replying to a question about his 'greatest asset' with the blunt 'My arse.' A follow-up query about how many songs the band rehearsed the day before got the answer '69.' So far, the band is planning to spend most of July in the U.K. before jumping over to North America in August for shows in Toronto, Chicago, New Jersey, Pasadena and Mexico City, then hitting Asia and Australia in the fall and winding down with shows in Argentina, Chile and Brazil in November. For now, there are no festival dates or non-headlining shows, but a persistent fan asked Liam if it's possible that Oasis would make a triumphant return to the Knebworth Festival, where they played to more than 250,000 fans over two nights in 1996. 'Let's see how this tour goes if we still love each other after it,' Liam replied. And while there is some trepidation that the internal strife that split the family band up in 2009 might rear its ugly head again, when a fan wondered if Tuesday's rehearsal made it feel like the band had 'never split up,' Gallagher affirmed, 'Yeah like it never happened very spiritual.' Some things never change, though. 'How many hours do you rehearse every day,' one commenter wondered. 'I do the set once then I scarper,' Liam said. So far, longtime bassist Andy Bell has confirmed that he's back in the band for the tour and a March report suggested that the Gallaghers could be joined by former guitarist Gem Archer, as well as Oasis co-founder and rhythm guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.). Liam rubbished the report, writing, 'NME tell me who your source pots are that keep giving you info about OASIS and I'll give you an exclusive interview about up n coming OASIS tour. You can have it all but how much do you want it.' See Liam's comment below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wayne Gretzky Gets Introduced to ‘Pink Pony Club' & Wants Chappell Roan's Hit as His Ringtone
Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' has become an anthem for the Edmonton Oilers, and the hit played throughout Rogers Place arena after the Oilers won game one of the Stanley Cup against the Florida Panthers in overtime on Wednesday night (June 4). NHL icon and former Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky was in the building as part of TNT's post-game broadcast, and he seemed to take a liking to 'Pink Pony Club' after being introduced to the Chappell Roan banger. More from Billboard Chappell Roan Reflects on Being Labeled a 'Villain' Queens of the Stone Age Couldn't 'Over-Rehearse' for Paris Catacombs Concert Film: 'You Go Down There & All the Plans Are Off' Billboard & Global Venture Partners Launch Billboard Africa ''Pink Pony,' is that a band or is that a song?' he innocently asked his cohosts. Retired hockey pro Paul Bissonnette offered Gretzky a quick explainer: 'It's a woman. She sings a song, 'Pink Pony Club.' And it's famous — it's on the radio.' Gretzky replied: 'I gotta get that on my ringtone.' Now, it's unclear how exactly 'Pink Pony Club' was adopted by the Oilers, as the team kept the reasoning under wraps when asked about it throughout the season. Edmonton sits just three wins away from its first Stanley Cup since 1990, so all of Oiler Nation is hoping to hear 'Pink Pony Club' a few more times in June to bring the Cup back to Alberta, Canada. 'Pink Pony Club' was originally released in 2020 and landed on Chappell's 2023 The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. The multi-platinum hit reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sits at No. 12 on this week's chart. Watch the video below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Barnes Drops ‘DEFIANT' Album Ahead of Australian Tour: Stream It Now
Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes has released his 21st solo studio album DEFIANT, just one day before launching a national tour across Australia. Out now via Mushroom Music, DEFIANT arrives after a difficult period for Barnes, who has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, including a life-threatening heart operation. Despite the challenges, the Cold Chisel frontman says the new 10-track set carries a message of resilience. More from Billboard Queens of the Stone Age Couldn't 'Over-Rehearse' for Paris Catacombs Concert Film: 'You Go Down There & All the Plans Are Off' Billboard & Global Venture Partners Launch Billboard Africa Here's What Fans Think of SiR Claiming Drake Had His 2024 Toronto Show Canceled 'Nobody lives this long without copping some knocks and I've taken my fair share, particularly lately,' he said in a press statement. 'But none of us can control what life throws at us. We can only control how we respond — and for better or worse, I've never liked to take a backward step.' While he didn't intend for the album to take on a particular theme, Barnes says that in hindsight, DEFIANT reflects a consistent message. 'I didn't set out to do it deliberately but now that the album is finished, I can see there's a recurring theme about the satisfaction you can get from fighting back. That's why it's called DEFIANT.' The album marks his first new project since 2022's Blue Christmas and follows a career that includes a record-breaking 15 solo No. 1 albums on Australia's ARIA Albums Chart — more than any other artist in ARIA history. He's also notched five more chart-toppers with Cold Chisel, making him a singular force in Australian rock. 'I'm ready to rock!' Barnes said. 'All of the songs on DEFIANT are made to play live and I can't wait to blow the roofs off with them in my live set.' 'I'm really looking forward to getting back on stage with my band again. I'm so proud of this new record – all the songs mean a lot to me and I can't wait to share them with you. It's going to be some serious fun!' The Defiant Tour kicks off June 7 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre and will continue through major cities including Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, wrapping in Canberra later this month. In addition to the album and tour, Barnes will appear on the debut season of That Blackfella Show, billed as Australia's first national First Nations variety show. The series is filmed in front of a live studio audience and features a lineup that includes rapper BARKAA, comedians Steph Tisdell and Dane Simpson, and broadcaster Abbie Chatfield. DEFIANT is available now on all streaming platforms. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Monkees' Micky Dolenz Reveals He Lost Out on ‘Happy Days' Fonzie Role to Henry Winkler: ‘I Almost Got It'
Arthur Fonzarelli could have had a way different vibe if the team behind beloved 1970s/early '80s sitcom Happy Days had gone with their second choice. At least according to The Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz, who told People magazine that back in the day he auditioned for the role of the jukebox-smacking, shark-jumping bad boy with a heart of gold. After his run on The Monkees (1966-1968), the last surviving member of that American fab four said he was on the hunt for a role that would break him out of the mop top drummer cage, so in 1973 he auditioned for the role of Arthur 'The Fonzie' Fonzarelli, the leather jacket-wearing greaser next door who became the break-out star of the show. More from Billboard Queens of the Stone Age Couldn't 'Over-Rehearse' for Paris Catacombs Concert Film: 'You Go Down There & All the Plans Are Off' Billboard & Global Venture Partners Launch Billboard Africa Here's What Fans Think of SiR Claiming Drake Had His 2024 Toronto Show Canceled 'I almost got it,' Dolenz, 80, said. 'Supposedly it was between me and Henry [Winkler]. He remembers it too. The story I heard is that he was in the waiting room, saw me come in, and thought, 'Oh s–t, I'll never get this — Micky Dolenz is here!' So we laugh about it now. He's a good friend and a brilliant talent.' While Yale School of Drama grad Winkler came into his audition with plenty of stage experience and roles in the indie movies The Lords of Flatbush and Crazy Joe, Dolenz was already a seasoned TV pro by the time he auditioned for Happy Days. At 11, he got the lead role of Corky in the adventure series Circus Boy, which ran on NBC for one season before jumping to ABC for another short run in 1957. A young Dolenz then scored a few TV roles in the late 1950s and early 1960s — credited as Micky Braddock — before being cast as Micky on The Monkees alongside Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork. When that show ended, Dolenz decided to focus on directing and producing, realizing that his gig as the spacey, floppy-haired drummer would likely get him typecast like his father, George Dolenz, an actor he said got pegged as a 'swashbuckling romantic lead in sword-fighting movies' such as The Purple Mask and Sign of the Pagan. 'After Circus Boy, I went to a few auditions as a 12-year-old, and the minute I walked in, they'd say, 'Circus Boy'! That's just typical in this business. I knew it was par for the course,' said Dolenz, who added that after the Monkees it was more of the same. ''What are you doing here? We don't need any drummers!'' he said casting directors would tell him. Following his pivot to a number of small movie roles and voice work on dozens of cartoons in the 1970s, 'I'm a Believer' singer Dolenz said he has no regrets about the one that got away. 'Oh my God, he's just so good,' he said of Winkler, who parlayed his iconic role into a fifty-plus year career on TV (Mork & Mindy, Arrested Development) and movies (Night Shift, The French Dispatch). 'I was definitely not as good as he was. Come on — he was The Fonz! He had that New York, New Jersey thing down. I'm from Southern California. It wasn't gonna happen!,' Dolenz said. Dolenz is going on tour this summer with his Songs & Stories tour, which mixes his iconic hits with stories about fellow L.A. legends such as Joni Mitchell, David Crosby and Jim Morrison. The tour is slated to kick off on August 11 at the Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
