Queens Of The Stone Age‘s Josh Homme defied a $10k smoking fine during a recent showat Detroit’s Ford Field.
The band are currently opening for the Foo Fighters on their North American satdium tour and during their set on August 6, the QOTSA frontman complained about the venue’s no-smoking policy. He claimed that the band could be fined $10,000 (£7,410) for smoking backstage, with Detroit’s Metro Timesfurther reporting Homme’s frustration at being unable to find anywhere to smoke.
However, as QOTSA closed their set with ‘Song For The Dead’, Homme decided to go against the stadium’s rules. He told the crowd in an impassioned speech: “Don’t let these fuckin’ corporate assholes tell you what to do, do whatever the fuck you want. Fuck that shit. You paid for parking, and you’re paying for overpriced drinks, these fucking scalpers. Fuck having some corporation tell you what the fuck to do, you guys do what you want!”
He went on to add: “And fuck Flock cameras too”.
Following his address, Homme lit a cigarette. It is unknown whether he was hit with the $10k fine.
Foo Fighters had just kicked off their ‘Take Cover’ tour with QOTSA in Toronto on the August 4.
It was QOTSA’s first outing in North America sincetheir orchestral ‘Catacombs’ tour in April and May.
Homme and co. played an 11-track hits-packed show including the likes of ‘In My Head’, ‘I Sat By The Ocean’, ‘Go With The Flow’ and ‘No One Knows’.
Prior to the tour, Foos frontman Dave Grohl explained why he was taking QOTSA on tour with them, explaining that it was to honour their “lifelong bond”. “What better way to share the view than with close friends. In 1992 I first saw the legendary Kyuss perform at the Off Ramp in Seattle and met Mr. Josh Homme. The band were friends of a friend, and before long their album ‘Blues for the Red Sun’ became the soundtrack to that summer. 33 years later and with many miles behind us, I have shared some of my life’s most rewarding musical moments with my dear friend, Josh,” he said.
“A lifelong bond that goes far beyond the sound we’ve made together. So it is with great happiness that we can share this next chapter together with his almighty Queens of the Stone Age. Take cover.”
The tour will last until September – see all dates below and buy any remaining tickets here.