QUEENS Of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme versus Northern Territory crocodile. Now that’s rock’n’roll.

The American rocker plans on getting “close” to a croc when his band tours Australia for the Splendour In The Grass festival in July.

The fearless frontman added Darwin to their sideshow itinerary so he could have a top end holiday with his family, Australian musician Brody Dalle and their three children.

“I have to get close and see what that’s like,” Homme said.

He probably means from the safety of a boat or fence.

QOTSA have been regular headliners on Australian festivals stages for the past two decades and are expected to reveal songs from their seventh album at their July shows.

The band teased fans with a cryptic clue “TWENTYFIVE” on social media just hours before they announced their shows here.

Homme didn’t want to give away release details but did confirm there would be a new single before the tour.

And to did reveal one secret. There are no guests on the QOTSA album, which means no cameo from occasional band member and Homme mate Dave Grohl.

“We are going to cut loose when we come to Australia,” he said.

“It’s not a coincidence we are going there first and not a coincidence that we are not playing all of Australia.

“I want to be able to come back.”

In between QOTSA albums, the musician and producer has also worked with Iggy Pop and Eagles of Death Metal, the American rock band whose Paris concert was attacked by terrorist in 2015. Homme records but doesn’t tour with EODM.

Homme posted a photo wearing a bandage on his wrist and explained he had tendon surgery.

“We have been hitting it hard when it comes to my body and it’s always ‘We will deal with you later’,” he said.

“I had surgery on my wrist once before and four days later, I was on tour in Australia. My doctor called me a dips**t.

“I had a problem with my tendon, it was very difficult for me to flip the bird for a while.”

TOUR DATES AND SHOWS

Queens of the Stone Age play Convention Centre, Darwin, July 16, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, July 19 and Festival Hall, Melbourne, July 20 with tickets on sale from 10am on Wednesday.

Other sideshows include Sigur Ross, Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on July 25 and Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena July 27.

Two Door Cinema, Metro City, Perth, on Wednesday, July 19; Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, July 21; and Festival Hall, Melbourne, on July 25.

Haim’s only show outside of Splendour will be at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on July 20.

Father John Misty plays the Metro Theatre, Sydney, July 23 and

Melbourne Recital, July 24.

For sideshow information, splendourinthegrass.com