Attention all Queens of the Stone Age fans! If you’re on a quest to discover bands that resonate with your love for QOTSA, look no further than this list we’ve curated.
As one of the most influential bands in the hard-rock genre, Queens of the Stone Age has inspired countless artists since its inception in 1996 by musician Josh Homme.
In this article, we’ll dive into 13 incredible bands similar to Queens of the Stone Age, each of which embodies various elements reminiscent of your favorite desert rock band. Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Eagles Of Death Metal
We begin with Eagles of Death Metal, a highly-regarded rock band hailing from Palm Desert, California. Formed in 1998, the group has strong ties to Queens of the Stone Age due to shared members and a similar sound.
The band debuted in 2004 with the album Peace, Love, Death Metal. This was just the beginning of their journey. They continued to make music, tour, and grow their fanbase.
Unfortunately, this incredible band faced substantial adversity following the tragic Bataclan massacre in Paris in 2015 while performing at a show. Despite facing such challenges head-on and continuing to make music thereafter, Eagles of Death Metal remain an exciting musical force within the industry today.
2. Them Crooked Vultures
If you’re a fan of Queens of the Stone Age, then it’s probably no surprise that Them Crooked Vultures is on this list. This rock supergroup was formed in 2009 as a side project by QotSA’s own Josh Homme, together with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters.
They had only one album release, their eponymous debut in 2009, before disbanding the following year. However, the album peaked at #12 on Billboard 200, and the track “New Fang” won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Fast forward to 2022, the band reunited for a pair of performances in London and Los Angeles. These performances were part of tribute shows in honor of Foo Fighters’ late drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
3. Kyuss
American rock band Kyuss came into existence in the heat of Palm Desert, California, in 1987. They’ve been hailed as something like a heavy metal equivalent to the Velvet Underground, churning out a unique sound that has become the cornerstone of what is known as stoner rock or desert rock.
One of their most acclaimed albums is the 1994 release Kyuss (Welcome to Sky Valley). It’s a tribute to their unique sound—heavy, groovy, and decidedly old school.
Sadly, the band disbanded in 1995 due to internal disputes. But the story didn’t end there. Kyuss’ music continues to find listeners and influence new bands, living on as a testament to their significant contribution to the genre of rock.
4. The White Stripes
Formed in 1997 in Detroit, The White Stripes quickly established themselves as a leading alternative rock band with their signature stripped-back sound and garage-rock vocals.
Known for their unique sound that blended punk, folk, country, and Mississippi Delta blues, they were one of the leading figures in the early-2000s garage rock revival.
They released several successful albums, with Elephant (2003) being one of their most notable releases. It has been certified Platinium and features the track “Seven Nation Army,” considered their signature song.
Another album worth checking out is Icky Thump, released in 2007, which peaked at #1 and #2 in the UK and US charts, respectively.
5. The Black Keys
Rocking the music scene since 2001 is the two-piece band Black Keys. The duo consists of Dan Auerbach on guitar and vocals and Patrick Carney on drums. They’re known for their rugged and raw blues rock sound that’s heavily influenced by American music.
Over the years, The Black Keys have released 11 studio albums with songs that showcase their impressive songwriting skills. Two of their albums have won Grammy Awards: Brothers for Best Alternative Music Album and El Camino for Best Rock Album.
If you like Queens of the Stone Age, then you’re sure to appreciate what The Black Keys brings to the table.
6. Wolfmother
From the land Down Under, we have the hard rock band Wolfmother, formed in 2004. Their sound is heavily influenced by classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, as well as modern acts like the White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age.
Notably, Wolfmother has gone through several lineup changes throughout their career. Despite this, they have continued to produce iconic music that appeals to fans of hard rock and heavy metal music.
Their latest album release was in 2021, entitled Rock Out. Their most popular songs include “Joker & the Thief,” “Woman,” and “Dimension,” amassing millions of streams on platforms like Spotify.
7. Foo Fighters
You cannot talk about alternative rock without mentioning Foo Fighters. The band was formed by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl in 1994 and has since become a mainstay of the rock music scene.
The band’s discography is a treasure trove of hit albums and tracks, many of which took the #1 spot on the charts. To name a few: “Everlong,” “The Pretender,” “Rope,” and “Rescued.”
Their latest album, But Here We Are, has been making waves. However, the band suffered a heartbreaking loss with the passing of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, in March 2022 due to cardiac arrest.
8. Arctic Monkeys
From across the pond, next up is British indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, formed in Sheffield in 2002. The band consists of Alex Turner (lead vocalist and guitarist), Jamie Cook (guitarist), Nick O’Malley (bassist), and Matt Helders (drummer).
Over the years, they have become one of Britain’s biggest bands, with their music reaching new heights of fame, with over 40 awards received throughout their career.
Check out their hit singles “Do I Wanna Know?” and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” from the album AM for a taste of their unique blend of indie rock and psychedelic groove.
9. Royal Blood
Another rock duo hits this list: English band Royal Blood formed in Worthing, West Sussex, in 2011 and is often compared to Queens of the Stone Age for their hard/stoner rock sound. In fact, they performed alongside QotSA during their 2018 US tour.
To date, Royal Blood has only three studio albums released, all of them topping the UK Albums chart. Some of their other notable songs include “I Only Lie When I Love You,” “Figure It Out,” “Out of the Black,” “Lights Out,” and “Little Monster.”
Royal Blood has amassed a substantial following, with over 446K followers on Instagram and over 607K likes on their Facebook page. They have also announced their new album, Back to the Water Below, set to be released in September 2023.
10. The Raconteurs
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, The Raconteurs (The Saboteurs in Australia) formed in 2005. With their sound that blends together different genres of music like garage rock revival, alternative rock, and guitar-driven music, they have become popular among fans of rock music.
Jack White and Brendan Benson lead the band on vocals and guitars, while Dean Fertita from Queens of the Stone Age also features as a guitarist for The Raconteurs every once in a while.
A great track by The Raconteurs that demonstrate their amazing vocal harmonies is “Steady as She Goes,” which was their breakout single in 2006.
The band’s latest album release is Help Us Stranger. Having topped Billboard 200, it is clear that The Raconteurs is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
11. The Dead Weather
Jack White, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence came together in 2009 to form The Dead Weather. The group has been compared to Queens of the Stone Age due to their similar musical influences and drumming styles.
Blending garage rock and hard rock with alternative music, The Dead Weather has released three studio albums, all of which landed in the top 10 of Billboard 200. Their songs “Die by the Drop” and “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” have become fan favorites.
The Dead Weather has not released any other album or single since 2017, with no news of anything in the works. Even without new music, their existing body of work continues to captivate audiences.
12. Deftones
A widely recognized alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, Deftones has been around since 1988. The band was formed by Chino Moreno, who provides the vocals and guitar.
Their music is a distinctive blend of alt-rock, metal, hardcore, and emo, creating a sound that has been described as an urban California traffic jam—full of heat, tension, and eventual release.
Over the years, they’ve released nine albums, three of which have reached Platinum status. Some of their most popular songs include “Change (In the House of Flies)” and “My Own Summer (Shove It),” both of which have garnered hundreds of millions of listens on Spotify.
Their third studio album, White Pony, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020 and is considered a seminal album that shaped youth culture.
13. The Mars Volta
Up next, hailing from El Paso, Texas, is the progressive rock band The Mars Volta. Formed in 2001, they have a rich discography consisting of eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and 13 singles.
Emerging from the remnants of the hardcore group At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta incorporated elements of hardcore, prog, and heavy metal into their music.
Notably, their songs “Wax Simulacra” and “The Malkin Jewel” have been highlighted as particularly memorable. Another standout track is “The Widow,” described as an experimental rock masterpiece.
The Mars Volta broke up in 2012 after founder Omar Rodríguez-López wanted to pursue personal projects. Fans rejoiced when they came back in 2019 and have continued since then.
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like Queens Of The Stone Age
As you have read, these bands are definitely worth checking out. Whether it’s the stoner rock sounds of Kyuss or the hard-hitting garage rock of The White Stripes and The Black Keys, there’s something for every Queens of the Stone Age fan here.
Hopefully, this journey through alternative/stoner rock and metal bands has helped you add new favorites to your playlist.
Who have we left off that should be on here? Let us know, and we’ll add them for you!
