Exclusive: Ex-Queens of the Stone Age Drummer Alfredo Hernández ‘Is Always Ready’ to Rejoin Amigos Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri to Jam – and Even More
It’s only taken about two decades to clinch an interview with the one, the only, the mighty Alfredo Hernández, former drummer for Queens of the Stone and Kyuss, and one of the originators of the “desert-rock” that continues to catch on across not just the U.S. but, rather peculiarly, Europe.
Not to be overlooked on Hernández’ resume are stints with (Kyuss founding member) Brant Bjork and the Bros and Yawning Man, and his current status in the band Avon. which QOTSA devotees will recall as one of the song names on the band’s first album. (Lesser-known fact: Hernández co-wrote seven of the 11 album tracks with Josh Homme; and joined forces with the band’s leader as well as Monster Magnet guitar and Homme homie John McBrain to craft “Regular John,” still considered one of the prolific band’s best numbers.)
As for these days, Avon just delivered a new album, Black on Sunshine, in mid-April via Go Down Records. Unsurprisingly, promotional materials for the record suggest three RIYLs: Wouldntyaknowit: Kyuss, QOTSA and Monster Magnet. Filling out the lineup are Emmy-winning guitarist, Airbus band member and Geoff Barrow (Portishead) collaborator James Childs. Palm Springs mainstay Charles Pasarell handles bass. Childs’ guitar and vocalist pal in Airbus playing guitar and sang on “Black on Sunshine” and “Strangest Love” too.
The amount of information Hernández shared in his well-considered answers is nothing less than very noteworthy (we’re not prone to hyperbole, even if it’s all the rage these days). Here are a few main points before you dig in:
• The most salient point made in the premise of the story as you’ve read it so far is wrong.
• Hernández and Josh Homme are still on good terms, and while they don’t talk about their current projects, you might see them play together again at some point.
• Same goes for Nick Oliveri, who brought Hernández into his Mondo Generator project twice, and apparently they had a blast.
• Kyuss and perhaps even QOTSA were modeled at least in part after Hernández’s bands.
And with that, I’m off to learn how to handle a rope. Enjoy the rest of the read and spread the story if you like it, because I ain’t on social media (save YouTube).
Thanks for the email swappage, Alfredo. First, I have to get the question you get asked the most out of the way: So, about a decade ago, you named Avon after the same-titled song on QOTSA’s 1998 debut, right?
The name Avon was chosen because of our guitar player, James. He is the genius of all the great guitar riffs and [a] major part of our ideas. He grew up in Portishead/Bristol in West England, where the Avon River runs through. James and I have been playing together for 20 years plus.
In the beginning, back in 2005, we were touring with our first band, Vic du Monte (aka Chris Cockrell) ‘s Persona Non Grata (which also has a new record coming out in 2027), playing around the Avon River area for most of our tours. So, it has been my second home in England for years. It is a coincidence that it happens to be the title of a song from the first self-titled Queens of the Stone Age album.
Yes, I was a co-writer for the QOTSA “Avon” song. However, it was originally written and recorded for The Desert Sessions Volume 1 (Homme’s impromptu jam sessions with friends), titled “Nova” with Pete Stahl from the band Scream (a hardcore band that also featured Dave Grohl), on vocals. We rerecorded “Nova” on the self-titled album but renamed it “Avon” with Joshua Homme on vocals. You may not see my writer’s credit but I do get my share as co-composer for that song. Perhaps we could have named the band “Nova.”
And then the first album ensued, I imagine?
When we started Avon Desert Rock music in 2016, we recorded all original songs Avon-style for the first album, Mad Marco, and the album Dave’s Dungeon. While touring that first album, we decided to play songs that I co-wrote and recorded in Kyuss and QOTSA. These were songs that very few people got to see me play live when I was with those bands. The people love hearing those songs and they get a chance to see me playing my songs they always knew. We also play other favorite songs from Motörhead (“Bomber”) to the French band Air. (They also play “Regular John,” “Avon” and QOTSA B-side “The Bronze,” now featured on the reissues QOTSA.)
What inspired your drummer to the point that it became known as a core ingredient of the “desert rock sound”?
My sound and style remain the same no matter who I play with. Whether it’s the genre or the musicians, my rock steady approach comes from growing up and listening to hard rock, progressive rock, punk rock, jazz, South American African beat, British Rock, etc.. I pay homage to the original creators and pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, like Little Richard, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and James Brown. The chemistry and elements that make a band work come naturally with the right people for me.
As Avon came into its own, what surprised you as far as what direction and shape the music took?
When James Childs and I started to play in Vic du Monte’s Persona Non Grata, we never thought of sounding anything like Kyuss or QOTSA. My early bands were Josh Homme’s and Brant Bjork’s biggest influences. They grew up watching different bands I played in. So, all my newest groups are all original music, and there are no intentions to sound or milk the bands from the past. It’s our sound. My drum sound is my signature sound that I have developed over years and it has stayed the same no matter who I play with.
When people come to see us live, they expect us to sound like my most popular bands. The people may be disappointed with that, but I am happy to disapoint, because there was plenty of life before (Kyuss and QOTSA). Every Avon record shows its progression as a band and a team that has grown and loves to play together. We write and compose when we practice and when we play live during sound checks.
The connection with the crowds is always positive. People are always happy to see bands having a good time together performing live. The connection with James and all my other bandmates in my other bands comes from good vibes and friendship first. We love each other and we have the greatest times, and sometimes not-so-great times on the road or stuff you just cannot control. But we stick together and stick to our guns. We have total control of what we want and that brings the best out of us, live or in the studio.
Did you consider bringing in [former QOTSA and Kyuss bandmate] Nick Oliveri to participate in Avon in any capacity? Why yes or why not?
We never considered bringing Nick Oliveri into Avon. If he would be at one of our shows, I would be glad to have him come up and jam with us. After Nick was ousted from QOTSA, he asked me to join Mondo Generator. I was happy to reunite with him. He and I had the best times together in QOTSA. It was a short time together again in Mondo Generator, but it was well worth it. We were always laughing and rockin’, live or in the studio. Possibly in the future we’ll get back together for another project and more good times.
Have you shared any of the material with Josh Homme? If so, what was his reaction? If not, why haven’t you decided to do so – and do you think you might someday?
Josh Homme and I are still friends, but we do not discuss our projects or share any of our music together. The companionship as friends and bandmates was extremely productive, and it would still be the same today if anything came up. He knows that I am always ready to go.
Do you perceive Avon as a side project, a short-term band – or are you all in, hoping to make this project the central focus of your artistic endeavors in the coming years?
I never thought of Avon as a side project or short-term band. This new record, Black on Sunshine, is another important chapter in my musical history and career. The focus is all my music and my fight to keep Rock alive. It is the freedom, love, peace and hope I express in my drumming for a better future for mankind.
Buy a copy of Black on Sunshine on the website for Go Down Records.
The Bad Penny (beta) 
Leave a comment