American guitarist and record producer born in 1970, best known as a multi‑instrumentalist for Queens of the Stone Age and former member of Failure and A Perfect Circle.
Last updated March 13, 2026
American guitarist and producer (born 1970 in Los Angeles); multi‑instrumentalist best known for work with Queens of the Stone Age; former member of Failure and A Perfect Circle; founder of Sweethead; member of Gone Is Gone Wikipedia.
Early Life and Beginnings
Troy Van Leeuwen (born January 5, 1970, Los Angeles, California) is an American musician and record producer who began performing in the 1980s, playing in local bands including Jester, Little Boots, and 60 Cycle before wider recognition with Failure Wikipedia. His early session work and band activity in southern California led to connections that would shape his later roles with A Perfect Circle and Queens of the Stone AgeWikipedia.
Failure and A Perfect Circle
Van Leeuwen joined Failure around the release of their 1996 album Fantastic Planet, touring with the band before its initial breakup in 1997 Failure (band). In 1999 he joined the alternative rock supergroup A Perfect Circle, contributing to their first two albums, Mer de Noms (2000) and Thirteenth Step (2003), and touring extensively; Mer de Noms entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4 with over 188,000 first‑week sales Wikipedia. During sessions for Thirteenth Step, he auditioned for and accepted a role in Queens of the Stone AgeWikipedia.
Queens of the Stone Age
Van Leeuwen joined Queens of the Stone Age in 2002 for the Songs for the Deaf tour and became the band’s long‑serving multi‑instrumentalist, contributing guitar, lap steel, keyboards/synthesizers, percussion, and vocals across subsequent releases Wikipedia. His studio albums with the group include Lullabies to Paralyze (2005), Era Vulgaris (2007), ...Like Clockwork (2013), Villains (2017), and In Times New Roman… (2023) Wikipedia; their 2013 album …Like Clockwork became QOTSA’s first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Billboard. Matador Records announced In Times New Roman… for June 16, 2023, produced by QOTSA and mixed by Mark Rankin, with recording at Pink Duck and Shangri‑La Matador Records. In 2024, Van Leeuwen discussed touring in support of the album and upcoming catalog activity in an interview at Download Festival NME.
Side Projects and Collaborations
Beyond QOTSA, Van Leeuwen has led and contributed to multiple projects. He founded the rock outfit Sweethead in 2008 with vocalist Serrina Sims, releasing the EP The Great Disruptors (2009) and albums Sweethead (2009) and Descent to the Surface (2016) Sweethead. In 2016 he co‑founded the supergroup Gone Is Gone with Troy Sanders, Tony Hajjar, and Mike Zarin; the band has released an EP (2016) and studio albums including Echolocation (2017) Gone Is Gone. His collaborations extend to QOTSA‑related projects and tours, including participation in Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression live band in 2016 Wikipedia. During the …Like Clockwork cycle, he described the band’s precarious period and creative resolve in a 2013 interview MusicRadar.
Instruments, Style, and Gear
Renowned for textural layering and atmospheric parts, Van Leeuwen’s primary electric is his signature Fender Jazzmaster, offered with custom finishes, specialized switching, and an upgraded bridge Fender. In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, he showcased a prototype of his oxblood Jazzmaster (with a Mastery bridge), along with details of his live guitars, amps, and pedal configurations Premier Guitar. Across his QOTSA tenure he has employed a range of instruments — electric and acoustic guitars, twelve‑string and lap steel, keyboards/synths, and percussion — both live and in the studio Wikipedia.
–A Perfect Circle — Mer de Noms (2000); Thirteenth Step (2003) Wikipedia
–Queens of the Stone Age — Lullabies to Paralyze (2005); Era Vulgaris (2007); …Like Clockwork (2013); Villains (2017); In Times New Roman… (2023) Wikipedia; Matador Records
–Sweethead — The Great Disruptors (EP, 2009); Sweethead (2009); Descent to the Surface (2016) Sweethead
–Gone Is Gone — Gone Is Gone (EP, 2016); Echolocation (2017) Gone Is Gone
American guitarist and record producer born in 1970, best known as a multi‑instrumentalist for Queens of the Stone Age and former member of Failure and A Perfect Circle.
Last updated March 13, 2026
American guitarist and producer (born 1970 in Los Angeles); multi‑instrumentalist best known for work with Queens of the Stone Age; former member of Failure and A Perfect Circle; founder of Sweethead; member of Gone Is Gone Wikipedia.
Early Life and Beginnings
Troy Van Leeuwen (born January 5, 1970, Los Angeles, California) is an American musician and record producer who began performing in the 1980s, playing in local bands including Jester, Little Boots, and 60 Cycle before wider recognition with Failure Wikipedia. His early session work and band activity in southern California led to connections that would shape his later roles with A Perfect Circle and Queens of the Stone AgeWikipedia.
Failure and A Perfect Circle
Van Leeuwen joined Failure around the release of their 1996 album Fantastic Planet, touring with the band before its initial breakup in 1997 Failure (band). In 1999 he joined the alternative rock supergroup A Perfect Circle, contributing to their first two albums, Mer de Noms (2000) and Thirteenth Step (2003), and touring extensively; Mer de Noms entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4 with over 188,000 first‑week sales Wikipedia. During sessions for Thirteenth Step, he auditioned for and accepted a role in Queens of the Stone AgeWikipedia.
Queens of the Stone Age
Van Leeuwen joined Queens of the Stone Age in 2002 for the Songs for the Deaf tour and became the band’s long‑serving multi‑instrumentalist, contributing guitar, lap steel, keyboards/synthesizers, percussion, and vocals across subsequent releases Wikipedia. His studio albums with the group include Lullabies to Paralyze (2005), Era Vulgaris (2007), ...Like Clockwork (2013), Villains (2017), and In Times New Roman… (2023) Wikipedia; their 2013 album …Like Clockwork became QOTSA’s first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Billboard. Matador Records announced In Times New Roman… for June 16, 2023, produced by QOTSA and mixed by Mark Rankin, with recording at Pink Duck and Shangri‑La Matador Records. In 2024, Van Leeuwen discussed touring in support of the album and upcoming catalog activity in an interview at Download Festival NME.
Side Projects and Collaborations
Beyond QOTSA, Van Leeuwen has led and contributed to multiple projects. He founded the rock outfit Sweethead in 2008 with vocalist Serrina Sims, releasing the EP The Great Disruptors (2009) and albums Sweethead (2009) and Descent to the Surface (2016) Sweethead. In 2016 he co‑founded the supergroup Gone Is Gone with Troy Sanders, Tony Hajjar, and Mike Zarin; the band has released an EP (2016) and studio albums including Echolocation (2017) Gone Is Gone. His collaborations extend to QOTSA‑related projects and tours, including participation in Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression live band in 2016 Wikipedia. During the …Like Clockwork cycle, he described the band’s precarious period and creative resolve in a 2013 interview MusicRadar.
Instruments, Style, and Gear
Renowned for textural layering and atmospheric parts, Van Leeuwen’s primary electric is his signature Fender Jazzmaster, offered with custom finishes, specialized switching, and an upgraded bridge Fender. In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, he showcased a prototype of his oxblood Jazzmaster (with a Mastery bridge), along with details of his live guitars, amps, and pedal configurations Premier Guitar. Across his QOTSA tenure he has employed a range of instruments — electric and acoustic guitars, twelve‑string and lap steel, keyboards/synths, and percussion — both live and in the studio Wikipedia.
–A Perfect Circle — Mer de Noms (2000); Thirteenth Step (2003) Wikipedia
–Queens of the Stone Age — Lullabies to Paralyze (2005); Era Vulgaris (2007); …Like Clockwork (2013); Villains (2017); In Times New Roman… (2023) Wikipedia; Matador Records
–Sweethead — The Great Disruptors (EP, 2009); Sweethead (2009); Descent to the Surface (2016) Sweethead
–Gone Is Gone — Gone Is Gone (EP, 2016); Echolocation (2017) Gone Is Gone
Failure (band)
Matador Records