Queens Of The Stone Age around Songs For The Deaf 2002 was an unstoppable force in terms of its lineup. The band featured lead guitarist and vocalist Josh Homme, bassist and vocalist Nick Oliveri, vocalist Mark Lanegan, drummer Dave Grohl, and guitarist and vocalist Troy Van Leeuwen. And if you ask Oliveri, that lineup simply cannot be topped.
In an interview with Guitar World, Oliveri said it’s “kind of hard to do better” than the above line, noting: “There’s no way you can continue something like that with different members. I don’t see it as possible. I think that’s the main choice for most people as their definitive lineup, because it’s the best lineup there was. It’s the best band I ever played in. I’ve yet to play in a band of such greatness and be surrounded by such greatness.”
Still, Oliveri admits he’d go back and rejoin Queens Of The Stone Age if he was asked. Oliveri left the band in 2004 and has since found success in other projects such as Mondo Generator, Stöner, and his own solo project.
“I would do it, but it’s not my decision anymore,” said Oliveri. “It’s Josh‘s, and, well, I don’t really see him giving up what he’s got for bringing a partner in for his thing. He’s already gotten moving well on his own now. I would do it, but that’s on him.”
He later added: “We still pick up where we left off whenever we see each other. We still talk on the phone. We’re still good friends. Josh is a good dude, and we get along well. I wish him all the success in the world.”
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