Joey Castillo

Joseph Willam "Joey" Castillo (born March 30, 1966) is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the drummer of the hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age from 2002 to 2012. He has also been a member of Danzig, Eagles of Death Metal, California Breed, Zilch, and Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts.
Castillo joined Queens of the Stone Age in 2002, following the departure of temporary drummer Dave Grohl. He recorded two studio albums, Lullabies to Paralyze (2005), Era Vulgaris (2007), and recorded half of ...Like Clockwork (2013) before being fired by founding member Josh Homme during the process. Since leaving Qotsa and Homme side project Eagles of Death Metal in 2012, Castillo joined California Breed, replacing founding member Jason Bonham, joined Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts, touring with the band before the singers untimely death in 2015, and joined two groups with former Qotsa bandmate Nick Oliveri: supergroup Royale Daemons and historic punk band Bl'ast.Castillo also has joined Zakk Wylde-led Black Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath.

A native of Gardena, California, Castillo began playing drums at age 15, when his grandmother loaned him the money to buy a drum kit. His playing is influenced by War, Al Green, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Black Flag. He started off his drumming career by joining the Los Angeles punk band Wasted Youth in 1984. After recording two albums and several tours, he left Wasted Youth and joined Sugartooth in 1991. During the summer of 1994, he formed a short-lived punk rock band called Chronic Halitosis. They played punk covers of bands like Misfits and Black Flag.

In 1994, Castillo left Sugartooth and joined Danzig, having turned down previous offers from Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies. In 1996, he was featured on Robert Trujillo's solo album, and in 1998 he joined Zilch. He replaced Goatsnake's original drummer after his departure in 2001, but that was short lived when they split up shortly after. In 2001 he did backing vocals and drums for some tracks on Son of Sam's album Songs From The Earth.

Castillo joined Queens of the Stone Age without an audition, playing through half a song (Avon) at an informal rehearsal before frontman Josh Homme walked out of the room, returned saying "I just fired the drummer. The tour starts tomorrow," and offered Castillo the gig. Castillo also played on Mark Lanegan's solo album Bubblegum and Eagles of Death Metal's second album Death by Sexy.

Castillo has two drumkits which belonged to Chuck Biscuits and considers them his most prized possessions. Castillo currently resides in Silver Lake, California.

Joey Castillo and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age performing at the Southside Festival near Tuttlingen, southern Germany, June 24, 2007

Castillo currently uses Q Drums, DW pedals and hardware, Zildjian cymbals, Vater sticks and LP equipment. Castillo is famous for his use of the LP Jam block. The tone of the jam block appears solo at the outset of the Queens of the Stone Age single "Little Sister" from the album Lullabies to Paralyze, Castillo’s first studio album with the band. However pre-Sugartooth he was known to use Tama drums, Paiste cymbals and Easton sticks.

Post QOTSA Gear

Q Drum Co drums (Clear seamless Acrylic or Black Stain Mahogany)

• 26"x14" Bass Drum
• 14"x10" Rack Tom
• 18"x16" Floor Tom
• 14"x8" Aluminum Plate Snare

DW Hardware

• DW 6710 straight cymbal stands (3x)
• DW 5000 Hi-Hat Stand
• DW 9000 bass pedal

Zildjian Cymbals

• Zildjian 24-inch K Light ride
• Zildjian 21-inch K Crash Ride
• Zildjian 20-inch K Crash
• Zildjian 16-inch K Light Hi Hats

Vater Sticks

• Vater Rock & 3A

Remo Heads

• Snare: Remo Controlled Sound Clear
• Toms: Remo Controlled Sound
• Bass: Remo Clear Powerstroke III with Falam Slam

• Template:Cite news in 2015 He switched to Q drums, whose rooster also include Ilan Rubin From NIN Angels and Airwaves, Hayden Scott who has played with Awolnation and Filter and Brody Dalle

Era Vulgaris tour equipment (2007-2008)

Castillo used larger sized tom drums than ever before, while moving to a smaller bass drum, the opposite of the Lullabies-era configuration. He continued using Vic Firth sticks, DW drums with OCDP clear acrylic shells, DW pedals and hardware, but switched from using Paiste to Zildjian cymbals.

Lullabies To Paralyze tour equipment (2005-2006)

For the Lullabies tour, Castillo continued to use DW drums, Paiste cymbals and Remo heads. Though during this tour he started using Vic Firth sticks instead of Vater. Joey also dropped his second floor tom and LP bongos during this tour and added on a LP jamblock to his drumkit. From this tour and on, he would use the toms to play "Better Living Through Chemistry" during the verses.

Songs For The Deaf tour equipment (2002-2004)

Castillo used DW drums and hardware, Paiste cymbals and Remo heads during the Songs For The Deaf tour, occasionally using PDP kits for one off performances.