Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age talked with Zane Lowe about his band's new live album called Alive in the Catacombs. The musicians recorded the album deep underground beneath Paris streets inside famous bone-filled tunnels. Six million dead people rest there after the city ran out of cemetery space during the 1700s. Homme wanted to skip long tourist lines and found a creative way to visit the location. The band performed without any live audience members present during the filming.
Homme explained that no electrical power exists inside the catacombs for musical equipment. The band used car batteries to power their instruments and wireless microphones for the performance. Battery power allowed Homme to move freely through the underground tunnels during songs. The setup created unique possibilities for filming and performing music. Everything felt organic and connected to the ancient burial site.
The recording captured natural sounds like dripping water and crew members walking on loose bones. Homme refused to remove these background noises from the final audio mix. He wanted fans to hear exactly what happened during the underground session. The album represents authentic moments rather than perfect studio recordings. Mistakes and environmental sounds became part of the artistic experience.
Homme recovered from cancer treatment and medication problems during 2022. He canceled tour dates when pain became too difficult to manage on stage. The musician promised to finish postponed concerts and continue making music. Homme feels healthy and excited about future projects with his band. He wants to complete the work left unfinished from last year.
Homme explained that no electrical power exists inside the catacombs for musical equipment. The band used car batteries to power their instruments and wireless microphones for the performance. Battery power allowed Homme to move freely through the underground tunnels during songs. The setup created unique possibilities for filming and performing music. Everything felt organic and connected to the ancient burial site.
The recording captured natural sounds like dripping water and crew members walking on loose bones. Homme refused to remove these background noises from the final audio mix. He wanted fans to hear exactly what happened during the underground session. The album represents authentic moments rather than perfect studio recordings. Mistakes and environmental sounds became part of the artistic experience.
Homme recovered from cancer treatment and medication problems during 2022. He canceled tour dates when pain became too difficult to manage on stage. The musician promised to finish postponed concerts and continue making music. Homme feels healthy and excited about future projects with his band. He wants to complete the work left unfinished from last year.
