By Phil Lacombe
In the Coachella Valley, desert rock isn’t just a sound, it’s a legacy. And few names hit as hard in that legacy as Nick Oliveri. Known for his raw, unfiltered energy and unmistakable presence, Oliveri has been a driving force behind some of the most influential music to come out of the desert.
And right now, that legacy just came full circle.
In a moment that sent shockwaves through the rock world, Oliveri recently reunited on stage with Josh Homme during a Queens of the Stone Age show in nearby Joshua Tree, marking their first performance together in over a decade. What could have been just a one-off appearance felt bigger than that, a reminder of the chemistry that helped define an entire genre.
From his early days in Kyuss to shaping the sound of Queens of the Stone Age and pushing forward with Mondo Generator, Oliveri has always embodied the wild, unpredictable spirit of desert rock. Loud, unapologetic, and real to the core.
We caught up with Oliveri to talk about that reunion, his journey, and what still fuels the fire.
CVW: That reunion wasn’t just nostalgic, it felt charged. Was there any hesitation stepping back on stage with Josh, or was it instant chemistry?
Oliveri: It definitely was charged. It felt really good. There’s obviously a chemistry there between me and Josh and playing together for a lot of years and yeah, definitely felt good.
CVW: If the opportunity came up, would you step back into a studio or stage situation with him long-term, or is it better left as a powerful moment in time?
Oliveri: Yes, I would. It’s kind of a cool thing to just leave it as it was, but I’d definitely do another record with him, some project of some sort, you know. We probably will down the line some, sometime, who knows?
Might not be a Qotsa record, but maybe something else, who knows?
CVW: After all these years, did it feel like no time had passed when you played together again?
Oliveri: Yeah, we kind of pick up where we left off when we hang out. Whether it be, you know, having a couple drinks or shooting the. Or playing music. Kind of just pick up where we left off. It just seems natural and easy. No, nothing to it. Pretty good old friends kind of thing, you know.
CVW: Looking back, how do you view your time with Queens of the Stone Age now compared to then?
Oliveri: Well, I was part of the band then and now I’m just guesting for a tune here and there, you know.
So yeah, I’m not part of the band anymore. I mean I’ve been out of the band for 22 years, Something to say for that, but yeah, it’s definitely not a thing that can be really compared to back then, but I miss it and it was fun and. But I still at it with all my other bands, you know, so it ain’t like I miss going on stage, but yeah, I miss playing with those guys every now and again.
CVW: You’ve always brought a raw, chaotic energy to your music, where does that come from?
Oliveri: I have a lot of pent up shit inside me and it’s raw and it’s real and it comes out pretty harsh sometimes uncensored. That’s how I roll, comes from life.
CVW: Do you approach writing differently now than you did in the early days?
Oliveri: Sometimes I approach writing differently all the time. Sometimes I’ll have a verse, or sometimes I’ll have a verse and a chorus. Sometimes it’ll start out as a chorus.I used to censor myself more back in those days with Queens and now I don’t really have a center on my music at all. Like I don’t try to. Do I really want to say that or should I say this or am I going to hurt somebody’s feelings? I really don’t give a shit. I think I should be able to say whatever I want.
And that’s what artists, artists people painting or drawing or saying, writing poetry or music and writing, saying whatever the hell they want because it’s their vision, it’s their art. And you either like it or you don’t.
But, yeah, the early days, maybe I used to approach writing a little bit differently.
I’ve always kind of been uncentered, but maybe I try to put my best foot forward for something to reach more people or something.
CVW: What keeps you hungry creatively after decades in the game?
Oliveri: I write the songs for me by what’s happening around me. It just kind of comes out. So, there’s that. I’m hungry because I am, man, I’m starving. I stay hungry because I love music so much and I think if you don’t put forward everything you have, it sucks.
Music should be art, should be something that you’re always hungry to do. It shouldn’t be like something you’re doing just to do it. Although I do do it just to do it sometimes because I have to, but I do stay hungry because I look at my old band mates and they’re killing it out there and
I want to be killing it, too. So that’s why I try hard.
CVW: Are there any upcoming releases, tours, or collaborations fans should know about?
Oliveri: Yes. I have some upcoming tours with the Dwarves. We have a new record called Jenkum, which comes out June 5, I believe, where I have a tour going to Europe in June, July.
I’m also making a recording with Blast, since I’ve been singing lead vocals for not playing an instrument, not playing bass in this band anymore, just singing and recording on the 30th and 31st of May. So, look out for new stuff by Blast.
CVW: After that reunion, is there a chance we see more from you and Josh down the line?
Oliveri: Yeah. There’ll be more of me and Josh down the line. We’ll always do something together. Who knows when it’ll happen? I imagine we would make music again at some point.
We’re bros, so you never know.
CVW: Where can fans find you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rexeverything666
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_o_1971/
Oliveri: That’s where you can find me.
Mondo Generator: https://www.instagram.com/mondogenerator/
Blast: https://www.facebook.com/itsBLASTBAND/
Dwarves: https://thedwarves.com/
From the underground desert shows to international stages, Nick Oliveri continues to prove that true rock and roll doesn’t fade, it evolves. Still loud, still unapologetic, and still deeply connected to the roots that built him, Oliveri remains a defining voice of the desert sound.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Local Music Spotlight, but the party doesn’t stop here. Hit the shows, feel the beats, and keep the valley’s music scene thriving. Because around here, the next song that changes your life might be playing tonight.
