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“I’ll never forget my first grade teacher, Miss Laraby. She was from WhateverShire, England. She looked like an old, pissed off 1960s go go dancer. She was strict. Bluntness was the showpiece in her arsenal of psychological weapons. One day while pacing the classroom she posed that ol’ classic kid question: “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I nearly shatnered myself, listening to her critique the job choices of the other 6 yr olds like an army drill instructor. One kid got all “I’m only 6” about it & said, “I wanna be a Super Hero”. To which she replied, “Christopher you’re neither super, nor heroic.” To a 6 yr old? Haha… That’ll teach you & your Shitty little dreams. Needless to say, when it was my turn I was petrified. There she was leaning over me, hands on her hips, waiting…Hold on, I left something out. First time I ever seen a biker type dude, was on the annual “it’s summer, so let’s drive the family to northern Idaho to see your aunt Pam” trip. I remember staring at him as he passed us thinking, “Who the fuck is this guy? where the fuck is he going? How come he gets to carry a big knife?“. I wanted to be him. He just seemed like the type of guy who didn’t have to drink his Goddamn milk if he thought milk was gross. Milk. Eww. But I digress… Anyway, when Miss Laraby got to me I just blurted out, "I wanna ride around on a motorcycle”. She raised one eyebrow, straightened up, then turned & informed the class “Joshua wants to be free.” I was stunned. Joshua wants to be free?? Ha! Crazy lady. So true. Nowadays, when I wanna get out the way of the world or listen to the music in my head or see the area I’m in, really see it or… shit, just hear myself think, I go for a ride. When I’ve a moment to spare & no time to lose. I get focused, relaxed, amped, stoked, clear headed. I’ve been hit, broke down, towed, rained on, froze, burnt, cramped, piston fire through the head & almost lost my nuts, flat front tire, sore, sleepy & faaahking pissed. But I don’t mind. Why? Joshua wants to be free… If you don’t do it, you don’t get it. But to Miss Laraby & the rest of you who do, I say; Keep safe & Get Free.“ Joshua Homme. Photo: @ larryniehues (x)

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(via https://vimeo.com/491712516)

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Queens of The Stone Age Live from MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)

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A Song For Joe: Celebrating the life of Joe Strummer

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PKP Concerts | Queens of the Stone Age (2014)

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Mexicola (Live Session) | Queens Of The Stone Age | From The Basement

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Ozzfest 2000

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(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? - feat Josh Homme...

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Easier Said Than Done (Official Video) - Desert Sessions Vol. 12

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Josh Homme by Chapman Baehler

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Joe Rogan Experience #1387 - Josh Homme

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Coachella Valley Weekly interview with Josh Homme about the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert  and his  undiminished interconnectedness with the desert.

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‘Kids are an unfinished gift and whatever can pinball them in the right direction, I’m in,’ Josh Homme said of the museum’s new music exhibit. Vickie Connor, The Desert Sun

Josh Homme loves to play, and he finds it’s best to give the gift of play as well.

The Queens of the Stone Age frontman was on hand Wednesday evening to dedicate a “musical pathway” at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage. Leading from a picnic area to the traveling exhibit gallery, the outdoor space features three oversized instruments that kids of all ages can play on – a set of tuned drums, chimes and a metallophone, which looks and sounds much like a xylophone.

The exhibit was built thanks to a grant from Homme and his Sweet Stuff Foundation, created to provide support for children’s music programs as well as those within the music community who struggle with health issues and disabilities.

Homme said the decision to help build the pathway was inspired by having children of his own and visiting the museum together.

“I realized mentally that I’ve been a child the whole time,” Homme said. “It’s so wonderful to play. That’s what I do, I play with my friends. It all donned on me that I’m giving the gift of play, and never letting it go.”

The museum unveiled the pathway last year but this week’s dedication ceremony featured a plaque to be installed in the future with the inscription, “Make Some Music.”

Growing up in the Coachella Valley, Homme said there weren’t places like the Children’s Discovery Museum or opportunities for young people to play music like there are now.

“Even though there’s a lot more to do now than when I was a kid, (the Coachella Valley) is a wonderful place that a lot of people worked their whole lives to come to,” he said. “There’s some difficult things here, too, and music can keep you from getting caught up in the rough things here,” he said.

He also explained the benefits he’s received from playing music throughout his life.

“Music is the only thing I understand that is never wrong. You may not like something, but it’s not wrong,” he said. “It’s a safe space to be yourself. You gain confidence because of the expression of being yourself. I also think in this modern world of anxiety and stress of things going on, it’s the most positive thing you can do that says, ‘Everything is ok, just slow down.’ That’s a gift I was thankful to get and to give, too.”

Off and on since 1997, Homme has led the Desert Sessions, a musical collective series that has included a large cast of musicians like PJ Harvey, Les Claypool of Primus, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Christian Grahn of The Hives. In October, he released the first new material since 2003, “Volumes 11 & 12.”

During the recording sessions, Homme said he left early one night and was surprised when he heard a track the following day, recorded in his absence.

“That’s a gift too, because I love to reserve the right to be surprised by things,” Homme said. “The one thing I know is: I know nothing. It’s just as inspiring to go to bed at 10:30 p.m. and wake up in the morning with this unfinished gift to make your mark on, too. There’s a parallel there. Kids are an unfinished gift and whatever can pinball them in the right direction, I’m in.”

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