Source Audio Visits Queens of the Stone Age & The Violet Grohl Band

The West Coast faction of the Source Audio team has been very busy in recent weeks. Not one but two amazing bands were kind enough to invite us to soundcheck before their shows. It was a great opportunity for us to hang out with members of Queens of the Stone Age and Violet Grohl's band to discuss the GLORY OF ROCK!!…and, of course, Source Audio pedals.

Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age took some time before the band’s show in Palm Springs to check out the Pathways Reverb & Tremolo and chat about his current pedalboard. Thanks so much for the invite, Troy! It was great to meet you and your tech, Cody.

QOTSA are currently on tour in support of their new EP, Alive in the Catacombs. The band took an entirely unique approach to making a live record for this release. In their signature, "let's do things like nobody else does things" style, QOTSA played a dark and semi-acoustic set deep beneath the bustling streets of Paris, France. Many of you may not be aware that there is an elaborate system of tunnels under the city that runs somewhere between 175 and 185 miles. The Catacombs is an especially macabre section of the tunnel built in the late 1700s with the remains of over six million long deceased French citizens. Front man, Josh Homme called the surrondings, “the biggest audience we’ve ever played for.”  

The EP and accompanying film feature a largely acoustic version of QOTSA accompanied by a three-piece string section. Given the location of the performance, it's no surprise that the music comes off a bit eerie. The band sheds their customary thick and fuzzy guitar riffs for a more subdued, but equally powerful selection of songs pulled from throughout their career. They will be touring Europe and the U.S. through the summer with this stripped down version of the band. Tickets for some venues are still availalble (Click here for ticket info). I you have the chance to pick up tickets, do it. It's an amazing musical and visual experience!

Check out the concert film below! The music alone does a excellent job of communicating the vibes from this unconventional venue, but still, it's thoroughly intoxicating to take in full visual and auditory experience of the film. The movie was created by the French production company, La Blogothèque. The cinematography is magnificent, in its dark and ghostly way.

Ainjel Emme and Salar Rajabnik of the Violet Grohl Band

Exactly one week prior to the Queens of the Stone Age adventure we paid a visit to Fingerprints Music in Long Beach, California to hang with bassist Ainjel Emme and guitarist Salar Rajabnik ahead of their in-store performance with The Violet Grohl Band. This exclusive set was in anticipation of Violet’s soon-to-be-released full-length album, Be Sweet to Me. The buzz around the record is building serious momentum following the success of her new single, “595.”

Violet’s sound is an explosive blend of styles. Check out her song ,"THUM." It opens with a sonic blast of ’90s-inspired riff rock which gives way to a lilting decrescendo, with lovely, delicately delivered melodies. Grohl has effortless command of the microphone, leaning on her obvious vocal powers that range from intimate whispers to full-out belting. Check out the new "THUM" video. The visuals perfectly capture the intense mood of the song.

The new single, "595" is equally powerful with its seedy, underworld aura. The songwriting and performance of this melodic journey are on full display in this exemplar slice of indie rock perfection.

Ainjel and Salar's pedalboards for the upcoming summer tour of the U.S. are Source Audio equipped. Ainjel uses the C4 Synth  and Salar is using the Collider Delay + Reverb. We managed to capture some footage of the band's excellent performance at the Fingerprints Music in-store performance. 

The Violet Grohl Band will be on tour all summer with notable dates at the Leeds and Reading Festivals in the UK and opening slots with The Breeders in New York and Baltimore. CLICK HERE for the band's full summer schedule.