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After over a year of touring in support of Songs for the Deaf, Nick Oliveri was shockingly fired from the band by Homme in 2004. Josh explained his rationale for the firing in 2005, when he stated he had learned of convincing evidence that Nick had physically abused his girlfriend. Josh clarified on BBC radio that "A couple years ago, I spoke to Nick about a rumor I heard. I said, 'If I ever find out that this is true, I can't know you, man.'"
With Nick gone, Josh and his band mates (now Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar and Joey Castillo on drums) started work on the group's 4th studio album. Bassist Alain Johannes was brought in and Mark Lanegan again lent his amazing voice to the project. The album, titled Lullabies to Paralyze, (from a lyric in "Mosquito Song" from Songs for the Deaf) was released in 2005 and while singles such as "Little Sister", "Burn the Witch" and "In My Head" became radio hits, it never reached the same level as their previous release. Mark stopped working with the band after this album, but there is a good chance he will return to give his talents to the group again in the future. In the Fall of 2005 the band released the live CD and DVD Over the Years and Through the Woods. It features an amazing concert the group gave in London earlier that year and also contains many rare bonus video clips of performances from the past several years. QOTSA has since recorded their 5th album, titled Era Vulgaris, which will be released on June 12th.
The most unique aspect about Queens of the Stone Age is that Josh Homme is the only member who has remained in the group during its entire 10 year history. While some believe this to be a weakness, I do not feel this is the case. Josh is a fabulous guitarist, singer and songwriter, but the wide variety of guests and musicians who have recorded and toured with QOTSA take the band to a whole other level. There are grumblings Nick will rejoin the band at some point in the future, but I am not holding my breath. Regardless, Josh Homme is immensely talented and knows how to surround himself with terrific musicians with whom he can make unique, energetic and passionate music. Neither Josh nor the rest of the band takes themselves too seriously and the resulting melodies and concerts are exceptionally enjoyable. QOTSA's sound changes often, usually from track to track. Nevertheless, whether they are playing a crazy hard rock song like "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" or a softer ballad like "Long Slow Goodbye", I enjoy all the noises Josh and company create and hope they continue to make them for many years to come.
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