Castillo currently uses Tama drums, 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. In 2018, he switched back to Tama after over ten years with Oxnard, California’s Drum Workshop and five years with San Pedro’s Q Drum Co. Pre-QOTSA he was known to use Tama drums, Paiste cymbals and Easton sticks.

On June 25th, 2017, Castillo, along with Trent Reznor, Mariqueen Maandig Reznor, Robin Finck, Atticus Ross, and Alessandro Cortini appeared as “The Nine Inch Nails” in Episode 8 of Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime, performing an alternate live rendition of the song “She’s Gone Away” which previously appeared on Nine Inch Nails’ 2016 album “Not the Actual Events”

In 2015, he was a touring replacement for Jason Bonham in the Glenn Hughes project, California Breed. Bonham quit before the tour to join Sammy Hagar and Hughes wanted the tour that supported Alter Bridge to continue as planned.

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 Queens of the Stone Age 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 singer’s death in 2015, and joined three groups with former Queens of the Stone Age bandmate Nick Oliveri: supergroups Bloodclot (with John Joseph of Cro-Mags and Todd Youth, former Danzig and Murphy’s Law guitarist), Royale Daemons (with Wino), and historic punk band Bl’ast. Castillo also has joined Zakk Wylde-led Black Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath. Currently, Joey is touring with The Bronx, after founding member Jorma Vik left to play with Eagles of Death Metal.

In 1994, Castillo left Sugartooth and joined Danzig, having turned down previous offers from Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies. He worked as Chuck Biscuit’s drum tech circa ’90-’93 and finally replaced him as live drummer on the ’94 tours, following the release of Danzig 4p. From that point on, he was (with exception for Glenn) the only constant Danzig member for almost ten years, performing all percussion duties on Blackacidevil (1996), Satan’s Child (1999) and I Luciferi (2002). 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. Castillo auditioned for Guns N’ Roses in 1997, but did not join the band. In 2001 he did backing vocals and drums for some tracks on Son of Sam’s album Songs From The Earth.

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.

Joseph William 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.