For a man that has suffered so much trauma, there's fewer with a sunnier disposition than Jesse Hughes. "We just got to do a rock and roll a show, and now we're talking about it; it doesn't get any better than that", he tells us as we sit down for a chat following the band's set at Aftershock, Sacramento. It's a long way from the terror incident that almost led the musician to quit for good; "for all intents and purposes, I had retired", he admits, candidly. Talking his return to music, and how U2 were instrumental in their resurrection, we caught up with Jesse and bandmate Jennie Vee. Peace, love, death metal; Eamon O'Neill.
Photo: Steve Thrasher.
Hi guys how are you today?
Jesse: Better now that we're talking to you, my friend. I mean, we're doing great. Obviously we just got to do a rock and roll a show, and now we're talking about it. Like, it doesn't get any better than that. I mean, really, I defy you to find a better life and job.
You actually said that while you were on stage today. I think that's the thing most people love about you, Jesse, is they know it comes right from the heart when you say things like that.
Jesse: You know, I know it sounds corny, but I love what we do. It's been the greatest gift. It's afforded me opportunities and abilities to do things that I would never have done otherwise. And for some reason, whatever it is, actually, I know exactly why that is, and it's because of all these people that come here to the show. So I love them. I mean, anybody that loves me has to be awesome.
You had such a great response today at Aftershock; the love was coming back. There was a point when you had to take your shades off, like; "what's going on?!"
Jesse: I know! It's the middle of the day, dude, it's hot, and I don't have an unrealistic expectation of people. I wasn't expecting people to be sitting in the sun and, you know, burning up, but it kept growing, I mean, like I always say; even the worst blowjob's still amazing. So when it's the best blow job, it's awesome. And when the crowd loves you, it feels like the best blow job in the world!
You've got some new band members from the last time I saw you, which was at Download festival in 2019.
Jesse: When you look at the 82nd Airborne Division, it's always the 82nd Airborne Division, but it will never be comprised of the same individuals, and you have to be the best of the best of the best to be in the 82nd Airborne Division. This is one step higher, so this band's always pursuing the goal of getting better. We finally hit the Nexus by having Jennie Vee [bass] and Leah [Bluestein, drums] and Scott [Shiflett, guitar] be in the band. This is the best the band's to ever been, and I wouldn't say 'new', I would say incredible.
You did a fantastic cover of David Bowie' 'Moonage Daydream' today.
Jesse: It's such a killer song. That's why we do covers, because there's power in it. There's real power in it, and we proved it today, you know what I mean?
Jennie, how does it feel for you to be playing up there with the legend 'Boots Electric' himself?
Jennie: It's the best job in the world. Jesse says that on stage when we play. I couldn't agree with him more. It's absolutely the best job in the world. It doesn't feel like a job. It's an honour, it's a privilege. I've been in the band seven and a half years. It's been the best seven and a half years of my musical career to get to share the stage with Jesse, to play those songs and bring the joy to the audiences. It's an honour, and now with Scott and Leah, it's like Jesse says, It's better and better and better. It's a special forces of rock.
Jesse: Jennie's not just been in the band for seven and a half years; when she joined the band, it was at a critical point when terrorists tried to destroy us... and could have, so we needed something extraordinary and superhuman to bring the band not only back to life, but to take it back, and that's what I think I need to say about this, so we get this in proper perspective.
I don't want to dwell on the Bataclan, but I would like to jump forward to when you joined U2 on stage in Paris; that must have been a big, big moment for you.
Jesse: It's fine. I don't think I've gotten an opportunity. I appreciate that question because I need to address this. That saved my life. That performance, and their insistence that I perform on stage that night, made it so I could perform again ever. They are true fans of rock and roll. They are the real fucking deal. Every member of that band are the real fucking deal, and they did so many things for us they didn't have to do because they're fans first. So what I owe U2 is something I could never possibly repay to them. I couldn't possibly repay them, and that's what makes them the real saints of rock and roll. Everyone else may be full of shit, but Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam are the tops, and they saved our band's life.
That was such a huge moment; I can only imagine what it was to go back out and do that.
Jesse: Well, I was tricked. Remember, to be honest with you, I wasn't intending to play, and Joshua [Homme, Queens of the Stone Age] and Bono concocted this plan, which also means a lot to me. Like to them, their attitude was like; "you can't stop", but I thought we were just going to be introduced on the stage and walked out. And right before that night's performance is when they laid it on me what they wanted. And I was pissed. I was actually going to get into a cab and leave, and it wasn't that I was afraid to go on stage again, but at that moment, I never wanted to be cheese in a trap against my friends ever again. For all intents and purposes, I had retired, but Bono actually came backstage and went; "I thought all Americans were supposed to be like John Wayne? I guess you're just a pussy like everyone else", and when he walked away, I was like; "no, no, no, no, you know what? Fuck you!" And he saved my life.
That was the kick in the ass that you needed.
Jesse: Dude, yeah, and he didn't have to do that. And think about this; they let us finish our set on their stage. They didn't just bring us up; they left their own stage and let us finish. Who does that? Yeah, they do.
Jesse: Better now that we're talking to you, my friend. I mean, we're doing great. Obviously we just got to do a rock and roll a show, and now we're talking about it. Like, it doesn't get any better than that. I mean, really, I defy you to find a better life and job.
You actually said that while you were on stage today. I think that's the thing most people love about you, Jesse, is they know it comes right from the heart when you say things like that.
Jesse: You know, I know it sounds corny, but I love what we do. It's been the greatest gift. It's afforded me opportunities and abilities to do things that I would never have done otherwise. And for some reason, whatever it is, actually, I know exactly why that is, and it's because of all these people that come here to the show. So I love them. I mean, anybody that loves me has to be awesome.
You had such a great response today at Aftershock; the love was coming back. There was a point when you had to take your shades off, like; "what's going on?!"
Jesse: I know! It's the middle of the day, dude, it's hot, and I don't have an unrealistic expectation of people. I wasn't expecting people to be sitting in the sun and, you know, burning up, but it kept growing, I mean, like I always say; even the worst blowjob's still amazing. So when it's the best blow job, it's awesome. And when the crowd loves you, it feels like the best blow job in the world!
You've got some new band members from the last time I saw you, which was at Download festival in 2019.
Jesse: When you look at the 82nd Airborne Division, it's always the 82nd Airborne Division, but it will never be comprised of the same individuals, and you have to be the best of the best of the best to be in the 82nd Airborne Division. This is one step higher, so this band's always pursuing the goal of getting better. We finally hit the Nexus by having Jennie Vee [bass] and Leah [Bluestein, drums] and Scott [Shiflett, guitar] be in the band. This is the best the band's to ever been, and I wouldn't say 'new', I would say incredible.
You did a fantastic cover of David Bowie' 'Moonage Daydream' today.
Jesse: It's such a killer song. That's why we do covers, because there's power in it. There's real power in it, and we proved it today, you know what I mean?
Jennie, how does it feel for you to be playing up there with the legend 'Boots Electric' himself?
Jennie: It's the best job in the world. Jesse says that on stage when we play. I couldn't agree with him more. It's absolutely the best job in the world. It doesn't feel like a job. It's an honour, it's a privilege. I've been in the band seven and a half years. It's been the best seven and a half years of my musical career to get to share the stage with Jesse, to play those songs and bring the joy to the audiences. It's an honour, and now with Scott and Leah, it's like Jesse says, It's better and better and better. It's a special forces of rock.
Jesse: Jennie's not just been in the band for seven and a half years; when she joined the band, it was at a critical point when terrorists tried to destroy us... and could have, so we needed something extraordinary and superhuman to bring the band not only back to life, but to take it back, and that's what I think I need to say about this, so we get this in proper perspective.
I don't want to dwell on the Bataclan, but I would like to jump forward to when you joined U2 on stage in Paris; that must have been a big, big moment for you.
Jesse: It's fine. I don't think I've gotten an opportunity. I appreciate that question because I need to address this. That saved my life. That performance, and their insistence that I perform on stage that night, made it so I could perform again ever. They are true fans of rock and roll. They are the real fucking deal. Every member of that band are the real fucking deal, and they did so many things for us they didn't have to do because they're fans first. So what I owe U2 is something I could never possibly repay to them. I couldn't possibly repay them, and that's what makes them the real saints of rock and roll. Everyone else may be full of shit, but Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam are the tops, and they saved our band's life.
That was such a huge moment; I can only imagine what it was to go back out and do that.
Jesse: Well, I was tricked. Remember, to be honest with you, I wasn't intending to play, and Joshua [Homme, Queens of the Stone Age] and Bono concocted this plan, which also means a lot to me. Like to them, their attitude was like; "you can't stop", but I thought we were just going to be introduced on the stage and walked out. And right before that night's performance is when they laid it on me what they wanted. And I was pissed. I was actually going to get into a cab and leave, and it wasn't that I was afraid to go on stage again, but at that moment, I never wanted to be cheese in a trap against my friends ever again. For all intents and purposes, I had retired, but Bono actually came backstage and went; "I thought all Americans were supposed to be like John Wayne? I guess you're just a pussy like everyone else", and when he walked away, I was like; "no, no, no, no, you know what? Fuck you!" And he saved my life.
That was the kick in the ass that you needed.
Jesse: Dude, yeah, and he didn't have to do that. And think about this; they let us finish our set on their stage. They didn't just bring us up; they left their own stage and let us finish. Who does that? Yeah, they do.
A lot has happened in the last few years, but it's been nine years since the last album 'Zipper Down'; have you new material coming?
Jesse: I mean, Joshua and I are actually, we're beginning to make a new record, starting like now. This band is one that keeps moving, and now that we have such talent in the band, Joshua and I are going to do something we've never done before, which is not be as self-centred when it comes to the writing process and the recording process. But then again, I always look at it like, how many new Ringling Brothers showed up? Not many. So we only needed the one. We're a band that have a very fortunate problem; we're a touring band, we're a live band, and we don't always need an album out to tour, which is a beautiful thing.
The albums have always been recorded by just you and Josh, up until now, right?
Jesse: Making them, yeah? You know, he's the best friend I've ever had on this earth, and the greatest escape and the greatest joy I've ever had is making music with him. It's because we have such a bizarrely precise unspoken communication. We've known each other since 1979, we have gone through things together that most people will never, ever go through, even a fraction of it. Eagles of Death Metal started before Queens of the Stone Age, so Queens of the Stone Age is actually a side project of Eagles of Death Metal. Eagles of Death Metal is where Joshua and I go so that nobody realises we're gay. But Josh actually said to me; we were talking about the new record, and he goes; "how come we've never gone gay?", and I'm like; "What do you mean? What do you mean!?" So I think we might call the next album 'Out of Closet Experience'.
Was was it like for you, seeing Queens of the Stone Age get so big? I mean, they're huge!
Jesse: By rights. There's nothing about anything that they have that isn't something that makes total fucking sense, and it's because Joshua is the most profoundly brilliant artist. Not only is he my best friend, but one of the great joys of our friendship is that I'm able to observe him, and observe such an artist so closely and observe so many processes that you would never get a bird's eye view of, that I am comfortable saying that, in my opinion, he's one of the finest artists of our generation and of the entirety of rock and roll.
Is there any chance of you guesting on a Queens' album in the future?
Jesse: Of course! Most people don't know this, but I've probably have been involved in a little more of the writing than you would know. But I've played flute on many of the albums. I'm a flutist. I started on flute, and flute is my first instrument.
Jesse: I mean, Joshua and I are actually, we're beginning to make a new record, starting like now. This band is one that keeps moving, and now that we have such talent in the band, Joshua and I are going to do something we've never done before, which is not be as self-centred when it comes to the writing process and the recording process. But then again, I always look at it like, how many new Ringling Brothers showed up? Not many. So we only needed the one. We're a band that have a very fortunate problem; we're a touring band, we're a live band, and we don't always need an album out to tour, which is a beautiful thing.
The albums have always been recorded by just you and Josh, up until now, right?
Jesse: Making them, yeah? You know, he's the best friend I've ever had on this earth, and the greatest escape and the greatest joy I've ever had is making music with him. It's because we have such a bizarrely precise unspoken communication. We've known each other since 1979, we have gone through things together that most people will never, ever go through, even a fraction of it. Eagles of Death Metal started before Queens of the Stone Age, so Queens of the Stone Age is actually a side project of Eagles of Death Metal. Eagles of Death Metal is where Joshua and I go so that nobody realises we're gay. But Josh actually said to me; we were talking about the new record, and he goes; "how come we've never gone gay?", and I'm like; "What do you mean? What do you mean!?" So I think we might call the next album 'Out of Closet Experience'.
Was was it like for you, seeing Queens of the Stone Age get so big? I mean, they're huge!
Jesse: By rights. There's nothing about anything that they have that isn't something that makes total fucking sense, and it's because Joshua is the most profoundly brilliant artist. Not only is he my best friend, but one of the great joys of our friendship is that I'm able to observe him, and observe such an artist so closely and observe so many processes that you would never get a bird's eye view of, that I am comfortable saying that, in my opinion, he's one of the finest artists of our generation and of the entirety of rock and roll.
Is there any chance of you guesting on a Queens' album in the future?
Jesse: Of course! Most people don't know this, but I've probably have been involved in a little more of the writing than you would know. But I've played flute on many of the albums. I'm a flutist. I started on flute, and flute is my first instrument.
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