I saw this headline -Â Josh Homme Kicks Female Photographer in the Head During Show , and it definitely caught my eye. This was originally posted on Pitchfork yesterday. This article talks about Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age kicking a photographer (Chelsea Lauren) during their recent performance – among other strange behavior at the show. Rockstars being dickheads is not a new thing. They often get a pass, because — well, because they’re rockstars. Eventhough I really dig QOTSA, I have to call this out.
Photo by Chelsea Lauren
Josh Homme issued a tweet apologizing for his actions..
Last night, while in a state of being lost in performance, I kicked over various lighting and equipment on our stage,†the statement reads. “Today it was brought to my attention that this included a camera held by photographer Chelsea Lauren. I did not mean for that to happen and I am very sorry. I would never intentionally cause harm to anyone working at or attending one of our shows and I hope Chelsea will accept my sincere apology.
First off.. let’s see the video.
So watching the video, it appears very intentional to kick this photographer. His apology makes it seems he was knocking stuff over, and oh by the way, accidentally kicked a photographer. This was targeted. And was intentional.
I’m reacting very personally to this. My wife is a professional photographer. She has shot many shows. I’m always concerned about the crowd being rough, etc.. and I really like it when there is a ‘DMZ’ area at bigger shows allowing photographers to have *safe* and close access to the artists. You don’t expect violence from the artist. What upsets me in this video and what this photographer went through.. this person was in one of those areas. This photographer had a ‘photo pass’ – GRANTED by the band to shoot those photos. These photos help promote the band, etc. So why would you kick this photographer? This wasn’t because she wasn’t allowed to be there and shoot photos – and that somehow angered Josh.
Reading the replied tweets to Chelsea even angered me further.. asking for pics of her bruised face, etc. The video clearly shows hard/fast impact to the camera and she goes down. At the very minimum, her camera is damaged. Is that okay? Do you have to have facial damage to justify calling out shit behavior?
What are your thoughts? Comment below…
UPDATE
Now, Josh Homme did a real apology. This is what should have been issued first, but I’m glad he did it. It feels sincere and heartfelt. I’m glad he’s acknowledging he has some issues, which he needs to figure out.
— QOTSA (@qotsa) December 11, 2017
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5 years ago
Look, I dig some QOTSA. Furthermore, Kyuss changed my life, I dig the music so much. But, I have never held any illusions about Josh Homme. He’s a big bad dude.He wants to be a better man- and I can see that struggle is real for him. You can see it in his actions over the years, and read it in his lyrics: his basic nature is that of a thug, but he hates that, and doesn’t want to be a thug. I’ve seen that type over and over again. So, I’ve got no hatred for him, but I think to help him on that journey he needs to really face the consequences of his actions. Not just an apology. If he’d added “…and I want to pay your medical expenses” I’d say- cool, he’s learning. If he’d added “… and I know you were there to help me” I’d be convinced he understood. As it stands, though, he’s doing the same thing unreformed thugs always do- trying to get out of the consequences of his actions. You do the thing, you dismiss it. If that settles it, you never give it a second thought. If it still is back in your face, you put on sad face, and try to get out of it by acting like you’re a better person than you are. That’s where we are at. Watch courtroom proceedings for awhile, and you’ll see this same thing over and over. So, I hope she sues him, and really holds him to account for it- for his sake. He doesn’t want to be a thug? He wants to be a good man? Good men face the consequences of their actions.
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