Eagles Of Death Metal guitarist Dave Catching is one very busy man. Not content to butter one side of his bread alone, Catching prefers instead to spread himself around via numerous projects. Queens Of The Stone Age, Yellow#5, Earthlings? and Mondo Generator have all, and continue to feature, Catching within their musical ranks. As you'll read, his hilarious and contagious sense of humour and infectious approach to living underscores much of Catching's life, playing and musicianship, a modus operandi that comes straight from the depths of his musical soul. I caught up with Dave Catching for the following interview whilst he and his Eagles Of Death Metal cohorts were mid way touring Europe behind their latest opus Death By Sexy .

Can you give us a little insight into the making of Death By Sexy from a guitar playing perspective?

The guitars on Death By Sexy use an open tuning given to Jesse by the gods of rock n roll, shrouded in mystery that shall never be revealed. It was my task to make the songs even sexier than intended, which was extremely difficult, given their degree of superior sexiness. We're always trying to come up with sweet tones that compliment each other without making the other instruments muddy or hidden. I always want my work to reflect the best possible ingredients of sound, playing and execution and I want my sound to stand out when up against anything else it's compared to. And in this day and age, it's getting even harder to achieve. You really want some of the solos to blow your mind and speakers.

How much input into the songwriting and recording process did you have on the album?

Jesse 'Boots Electric' Hughes writes all the Eagles Of Death Metal songs and Joshua 'Baby Duck' Homme does his best to refine and refresh the songs, so I only made the time in studio enjoyable for all and did my best to keep the studio tidy. The session started when an opening for the studio, Sound City , and Joshua's availability quickly merged. I however had planned a trip to visit my family and friends in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and couldn't really rearrange my time to be at both places at once. So as I was playing some shows in New Orleans with my Mardi Gras band, Gnarltones, when the session had commenced. It was difficult for me to miss the first week, but I got my freak way on in New Orleans , enjoyed the parades, ladies and debauchery and returned as quickly as possible, to lay down my parts that no one else had covered. It was heartbreaking and heart warming at the same time. I seem to always find myself at the crossroads of two completely different yet wonderous things at once, and have to make my mind up which to go with. I am indeed an incredibly lucky individual.

You play Maton guitars, what sort of qualities do the Maton's bring to your overall guitar sound?

I don't actually own a Maton as yet, I only play Jesse's Maton's because Maton is working on the Darlin' Dave model Maton as we speak. But Maton's are remarkably wonderful guitars, with an amazing sound quality, and beautiful beyond belief. The Maton I play most would be Jesse's hollow body. Its tone is particularly nice and stinging for solos, yet warm and inviting for rhythm. It seems to fit perfectly with the drums and bass.

On what particular tracks off Death For Sexy do Maton's primarily feature heavily?

There is a Maton guitar on every single Death By Sexy track especially the killer tone songs. It's almost exclusively the rhythm guitar, as well as most of the solos, except I like To Move In The Night , Keep Your Head Up and Don't Speak (I Came To Make A Bang) which was my '72 Gibson double cutaway Les Paul. My Danelectro Convertible is what I used for the slide solo on Chase The Devil , which was miked, not amplified. Jesse also used the incredible Maton acoustic guitar on Bag O' Miracles . That acoustic guitar is one of the nicest acoustic guitars I've ever played, and has one of the best tones I've ever heard. I highly recommend every guitarist go out and buy one immediately, if not sooner.

Since we're on the subject of guitars, what is your main gear setup like?

For Eagles Of Death Metal, I play an early 80's Gibson Flying V guitar through a new Supro amp with a 2x12 Supro cabinet. I use a tuner and a Distortion pedal, what brand, even I don't know...but I have about 25 amps that range from low priced small amps to the standard Fender, Peavey, Marshall , as well as not so well known amplifiers. I own 13 or 14 guitars that run the gamut from beautiful to 'what the fuck?' And when it comes to effects pedals, just look in my closet, under my bed and in my drawers and you'll find lots of weird stuff. I also have a band called, Earthlings? and use a wide array of freaky synthesizers to record with. The old synthesizers are pretty hard to use live, as they cause an unusual amount of problems because of age and technology. But they're laying all around the house and in the closets, waiting to malfunction so I can record the horrible sounds they create. But guitar wise for Earthlings?, I primarily use my '58 Fender Stratocaster or my '72 Gibson double cutaway Les Paul through a tuner, a Rat pedal, Cry Baby, Boss Digital delay, Phase 90 and whatever else might sound crazy enough to make me laugh, into my Silvertone Twin 12 and Fender Super Reverb amps, but they're a little too delicate to take on the road with Eagles of Death Metal. We've been touring hard and heavy for the last couple of years, and Earthlings? only play an occasional live show here and there. The new Supro has taken an incredible amount of wear and tear and still sounds great.

When it comes to your guitar playing, what is the goal you want to achieve with it?

In addition to what I said earlier, I want to achieve an unequaled guitar tone that makes women swoon , allows me to travel the globe making love to all the sweet baby girls and their mothers and sisters , end world hunger and bring peace and love to every single man, woman and child in the universe. So far, it's working quite nicely.

How does it compare playing guitar with Eagles of Death Metal to that of Queens of the Stone Age ?

Both bands are the very best rock n roll music, musicians and thoroughly fun gangs you could ever wish to be part of. You have to think more when playing Queens Of The Stone Age songs and a lot less throwing your guitar around to look cool. The execution of Queens Of The Stone Age has to be spot on and tight, which is also true with Eagles of Death Metal, but Eagles Of Death Metal is a little looser and more basic rock n roll, whereas Queens Of The Stone Age has parts that are quite a bit difficult to play live. All in all, both bands are great friends, almost interchangeable literally, so it's extremely enjoyable in both.

What's it like working with Josh Homme?

It's the best possible merging of genius and comedy and kick ass-ness and you cannot call it work because it's far too enjoyable. Joshua has been recording and playing for years and we've known each other and toured together since the Kyuss days, around 1994. He's a sponge when it comes to learning, and he's worked with some of the most brilliant musicians, engineers and producers. He's immersed himself in the learning process and now knows pretty much what everyone he's worked with knows and utilizes his knowledge to create the most incredible, interesting and beautiful music in rock today. And his vocals have gotten so amazing. He has worked his ass off to be where he is today and it shows. I'm proud and excited to work with him in any way, shape or form.

So is it a different type of working ethos when you're working with Josh in Queens of The Stone Age to when you're with him in Eagles of Death Metal?

Not really. I'm just happy to be part of anything he does. He is the coolest of the cool. He takes music seriously, but in an enjoyable way. It's always the same. We all love to have a great time, and work, so we mix the both of them as much as possible. It's great to have him play drums with Eagles of Death Metal when he can. That dynamic is a little different, because he's not primarily a drummer, but other than that, we all work the same way, tongue in cheek and hands on the wheel.

What about working with Jesse Hughes?

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Jesse is hilarious, but also smart as they come, fun loving and seriously gifted at writing rock n roll songs, and entertaining like you cannot believe. Until you've witnessed him live, you have not lived. He can work the crowd like no one I've seen. Plus, we've been so lucky with the Eagles Of Death Metal musicians too. Right now it's Brian 'Big Hands' O'Conner on bass and Gene Trautmann on drums, two of my best friends and incredible musicians. When I started, it was me, Jesse and Joey Castillo, from Queens Of The Stone Age and Danzig on drums, one of the very best. Then it was me, Jesse and Claude Coleman Jr. from Ween on drums, another killer drummer and also one of the best. After that, it was me, Jesse, Brian and Samantha Maloney, from Hole and Motley Crue, on drums, and again another of the best too. All the time when Joshua could play live, he would, but he's a pretty busy guy and when he could, we'd sometimes have double drummers, as was the case with Joey, Samantha and Gene. We have been blessed by the gods of drums!

Speaking of drummers, Dave Grohl is another you've worked with too?

Yes and it was a joy and an honour. Besides him being the most humble bad ass on the planet, he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and a rare talent in every sense of the word. He's played on a couple of Earthlings? records because he's great friends with our singer, Pete Stahl. They had a band together called Scream from Washington D.C. 's hardcore scene of the ‘80s, it was right before he joined Nirvana. We did a pretty cool Queens Of The Stone Age show while recording Songs For The Deaf where it was me, Joshua, Dave, Nick Oliveri, Twiggy Ramirez (Jeordie White) and Molly McGuire. We played the Troubadour in L.A and had the best time and it was thunderous. You never think about the fact that you're playing with a legend even though you are, because he never makes it seem that way. Other than the playing, that is...

You own and run the Rancho De La Luna recording studio, which has had an illustrious roster of artists come through its doors. Do you get involved in the recording aspects of things there too?

I live at Rancho De La Luna. It was started by Fred Drake and my self in 1993. Fred passed away a few years back, so now it's my home. There have been so many sessions there that were out of this world. Queens Of The Stone Age's first sessions were there with Fred on drums! Kyuss, Earthlings?, Daniel Lanois, U.N.K.L.E., Twilight Singers, Masters of Reality, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Victoria Williams, The Duke Spirit, Eagles of Death Metal, Mark Lanegan, Dave Grohl, Desert Sessions, Hulk, Sparta, man, the list goes on and on. And yes, I try to take part in every session I can, as engineer, cook, player, whatever .U.N.K.L.E. was being produced by Chris Goss, who has produced Kyuss, Queens Of The Stone Age and many other great bands and is one of my best friends and mentor/hero. He invited me to a session they were doing in L.A to play some guitar, bass and keyboard. He thought those guys should come to the Rancho for a couple of days to check it out. When they arrived, they got out of the car, and before they were even in the house, they asked me if they could stay six weeks. I told them that would be fine with me, but I would be living there. They were really cool and said they wanted me to help write and play on the album which was perfect, because I'm a huge fan. So we ended up recording a major part of the album there and having a blast. Between all of us, I think they left with almost 40 songs completely recorded! They're mixing now and the album should be done by October. So it's funny how these things work.

If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing?

I'd be cooking. I owned a restaurant in New Orleans in 1993, The Waterfront Cafe Inc. and it unfortunately ended when a fire destroyed the electrical system of the building. The owner wasn't insured, so I lost my business. I had given up on the profession music scene because of the business end and moved from L.A to New Orleans because it seemed like a fun undertaking, and it was, in a huge way! While there I received a call from Fred Drake asking if I'd be interested in buying some recording equipment from our friend Dean Chamberlain, who was closing his studio, and starting a studio with Fred in his new house in Joshua Tree. It was such a tiny amount of money, and Fred was such a gifted musician and producer/engineer, I could not say no. Even though I had my hands full with my restaurant, it seemed like the thing to do. I had no idea what we were starting. After the fire, while I was wondering what the fuck I was going to do with my life, I got a phone call from my best friend Hutch, who does sound for Queens Of The Stone Age, Eagles Of Death Metal and The Raconteurs and at the time, he was working for Kyuss and they were headed to Europe, a place I'd never been, and needed a guitar tech. I knew the guys and loved them and it seemed like a fun thing to do. So off I went, starting my professional life with Joshua. Then it was back to music...

When out on tour is the whole drug and rock and rock lifestyle that Eagles Of Death Metal celebrate, very much adhered to?

I don't want to get anyone in, or out of trouble, so let's just say that we like to have fun, in moderation.

Personally what have been some of your favourite tour moments?

Every moment is fantastic. There are so many of every kind that are memorable and mind blowing. For example, playing with Queens Of The Stone Age in Madrid , Eagles Of Death Metal in Vancouver, Gnarltones and Yellow#5 in New Orleans , Earthlings? in Sweden , Arugula in L.A, meeting people all over and seeing the sights and loving the ladies. Hell, I'm the luckiest man on earth. I have so many incredible memories that I daily have to delete unpleasant ones as well as useful information, just to make room in my mind for them.

And the worst tour moment?

Being sick on the road sucks pretty bad, other than that, it's always exciting. With Queens Of The Stone Age we hit some black ice while on tour in Canada and spun off the road. We weren't hurt, but it was a close call. Another time while touring with Queens Of The Stone Age we had a bus driver fall asleep at the wheel and almost killed us. And yet another time with the Queens , another bus driver got wrecked while we were touring. Come to think of it, maybe I'm glad I don't tour with Queens Of The Stone Age anymore!

You recently toured with electro clash artist Peaches, with the type of reputation she has forged, obviously there would have been quite a debauched moments experienced?

Yes, but my lawyers have asked my to keep quiet about the many debauched moments. But I can say New Orleans was really crazy! O.K, every night was really crazy.

The industry emphasizes the fact that rock and roll is usually a young man's game, yet since you're older (45) than most of these young guns, what is your view? I mean the Stones are in their sixties and still can rock harder and party harder than most of their younger contemporaries...

Hey, it's not my fault I've lived this long! Bluesmen worked until they died, and I hope I can do the same. It's funny, because you're absolutely right, but so far, either no one has noticed, cared, or said anything about it…at least not to my face. I think if you're sincere about what you do, people could care less about your age. Plus, look at the people I've worked with. Who cares about my age when you see my resume. I'm a team player, not a front man, so I just add to the picture, I'm not the focal point.

How do you find the time to be able to work in all these different outfits?

Well, nowadays, I pretty much tour only with Eagles Of Death Metal. But when we have breaks, I do whatever I can to stay busy. I don't like idle time. I'd much rather be creating and working all the time.

What projects have you in the pipeline for the next 12 months?

We start Jesse's solo record when we return from Europe in a few weeks time. Queens Of The Stone Age are in the studio too, so I hope to join in on a flugelhorn solo or triangle. A couple of cool bands have approached me to produce albums too, but for the most part, Eagles Of Death Metal will be touring and bringing the rock n roll party to you all, worldwide!

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to when relaxing at home?

I listen to all sorts of music as I honestly like so many forms of music, bands and singers. I wouldn't know where to start. I usually browse my albums or iPod and get my groove on, whatever groove that may be. And though I'm most fond of pre-1980's music, there's always some new music which catches my ears.

If you were given the choice to pick any one band to work and tour with, who would you choose and why?

I'm in it already! Eagles Of Death Metal, because it is the most fun rock n roll band, ever.

Finally in one sentence give us your motto you live by?

Live life to the fullest and show everyone that deserves it, respect, compassion and love.

www.eaglesofdeathmetal.com

By Joe Matera
www.joematera.com

Wednesday 6th Sep, 2006