On December 22nd, Michelangelo Carubba, drummer and bandleader of Turkuaz, will host another one of his famed super jams at American Beauty in New York City. For this iteration, Carubba, Sasha Brown (Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds), and Nashville power trio The Brunswick had planned to pay tribute to Queens Of The Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures. However, following Queens Of The Stone Age’s Saturday performance during which frontman Joshua Homme made headlines for kicking a female photographer in the head, the ensemble led by Carubba has decided to change the focus of the performance.

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Today, Michelangelo Carubba has detailed his thoughts on the incident at the Queens Of The Stone Age show as well as announced a new theme for the upcoming concert. On December 22nd, the band will honor “Rock’s Fallen” by playing “music from some of our favorite rock legends and fallen heroes.” In his Facebook post, Carubba explained this decision in contrast to Homme, noting, “We’re going to pay respect to those that chose to use the power of Rock and Roll to set people free and make them happy; heroes.”

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You can read Michelangelo Carubba’s full Facebook post detailing his decision to change the theme of the upcoming tribute show below. For more information about the upcoming performance, check out the event’s Facebook page here.


On December 22nd, I had planned to gather some of my close friends and play some music that I love. These events I throw are so much fun for me, and my main desire is that they are enjoyable for everyone in attendance. People should feel safe and happy at every show. We were specifically going to play music from Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures. Anyone who knows me well knows how much these two bands mean to me and have influenced me. Rock and Roll is a huge part of my life, and I believe in its power and potential to bring people together.

A few nights ago, Joshua Homme, lead singer of QOTSA, kicked a female photographer in the head during a show in LA. The photographer, Chelsea Lauren, ended up in the ER with a substantial head injury. I’m not here to speculate on who, what, when, or why. All I know is that that kind of behavior is unacceptable. 

Being at a show is a special thing, no matter the band. At a show, you can wear what you want, be who you want. You can sing and dance. You can forget all your troubles or you can face them. You’re free. A show is a sacred thing. And bringing senseless, careless, and dangerous violence into that situation is something I am absolutely against, without exception. 

So on Friday, Dec 22nd, we’re not going to play that music. We’re not supporting violence against women, or anyone. We’re not supporting wreckless neglect. We’re not supporting anyone that selfishly acts out at the expense of others. 

On Friday, December 22 at American Beauty, we are going to play music from some of our favorite rock legends and fallen heroes. We’re going to pay respect to those that chose to use the power of Rock and Roll to set people free and make them happy; heroes. The band I have for this night is very special and incredibly gifted. I sincerely hope to see you all there.

Pax Per Musica,

Michelangelo Carubba


[Photo: Capacity Images]