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From The Desk Of Ash: Queens Of The Stone Age’s “…Like Clockwork”

Ash is back after eight years with sixth album KABLAMMO! (Edel/earMusic). The Northern Ireland trio—vocalist/guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray—will be on tour supporting the LP in the U.K. starting later this month. Ash will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week.

McMurray: I can’t get enough of this album even after a year. It’s an amazing piece of work. The way it builds into the final two tracks is amazing. It floors me every time. It’s one of those rare records that leave me at a loss as to what else to put on next. I got into Queens Of The Stone Age around the time Rated R came out—when my favorite drummer asked to join the band. I remember the first time hearing Songs For The Death thinking the drums sounded weird—just very unusual drums. I think they recorded the drums and cymbals separately on that album. It was just bizarre, and it took me a few listens to get into. That’s just the style of it; it didn’t bother me. I think with the two albums after that, there’re some good songs on them, but I think they were in a slightly weird place after Nick Oliveri left. I think it took a little while to adjust. I think …Like Clockwork is just their absolute masterpiece. It’s a bit more chilled out than Songs For The Deaf, but there’s a heaviness to it musically and lyrically—they go places with this album that they never have before and it works. And obviously Dave Grohl is back in, I think on most of the tracks on that record. It’s become my favorite album. I got to see them two summers ago at a festival in Portugal. We share an agent in the U.K. Josh Homme is one of the few people I find intimidating to talk to. I’m probably more relaxed talking to Dave Grohl or the guys from U2 than him. He just has this presence about him. He’s cool, but you just think that at any second he could punch you in the face. He’s an awesome guy and a great songwriter. Every time I listen to it, I put it on and think, “What the hell am I gonna put on after this?” I think last time I put on Physical Graffiti by Led Zepplin and was just like, “Nah, not cutting it.”