Kyuss
Encyclopedia
Kyuss is a rock band, originally from Palm Desert
, California
. After forming in the late 1980s and releasing an EP under the name Sons of Kyuss
in 1990, the band shortened its name to Kyuss. Over the next five years the band released four full-length albums, and one last split EP in 1997 with Kyuss and the newly formed Queens of the Stone Age
. This nicely tied up the loose ends of Kyuss and introduced the new band Queens of the Stone Age, which was initially composed entirely of ex-Kyuss members.
The band's only continuous members were vocalist John Garcia and guitarist Josh Homme, but also featured Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri, Scott Reeder, Alfredo Hernandez, and Chris Cockrell. Kyuss split up in 1995, and since then, members of Kyuss have gone on to form or play in several notable bands including Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu
, Dwarves
, Brant Bjork
, Eagles of Death Metal
, Mondo Generator
, Hermano, Unida
, Slo Burn
and Them Crooked Vultures
. However, in November 2010, Kyuss announced a reunion as Kyuss Lives!, who has been embarking on a world tour
since March 2011 and plans release a new album in 2012. Guitarist Bruno Fevery
is filling in for Homme, who has always discouraged talk of a reunion.
found in the 1st edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game book Fiend Folio
. In 1989 the band recorded their eponymous debut EP, Sons of Kyuss
, which was their only release to feature Chris Cockrell
on bass. After self-releasing the EP in 1990, the band recruited Nick Oliveri
– who had previously played second guitar in Katzenjammer – to replace Cockrell on bass, and shortened their name to Kyuss.
, guitarist Joshua Homme
, bassist Nick Oliveri
and drummer Brant Bjork
. The band gradually built a local following in Palm Desert, California and frequently performed at parties in and around the isolated towns of Southern California
's desert areas. These impromptu and predominantly outdoor shows, referred to locally as "generator parties", consisted of small crowds of people, beer drinking, and the use of gasoline-powered generators to provide electricity for the equipment. Homme commented that playing in the desert "was the shaping factor for the band" noting that "there's no clubs here, so you can only play for free. If people don't like you, they'll tell you. You can't suck."
The band then signed with independent record label
Dali Records, who released their debut album, Wretch
, in September 1991. Several songs on the album were re-recorded versions of those that appeared on the Sons of Kyuss EP. Under-produced and poorly financed, the album was a poor representation of the "Kyuss sound", and it ultimately depicted a young band still searching for its true musical identity. Album sales were sluggish, though the band was quickly making a name for itself as a live act. Guitarist Josh Homme soon gained a reputation for his unique downtuned, psychedelic
style of guitar playing, and his convention of playing electric guitars through bass guitar amplifiers to create a bass-heavy sound.
In 1992, the band, along with new producer Chris Goss
, began work on their next album, Blues for the Red Sun
. Goss understood the band, and was able to accurately capture their live sound in the studio. Released in June that year, the album was critically hailed and is today widely regarded as a pioneering stoner rock
record. By the end of 1993, they were invited to open nine dates for Metallica
touring Australia
. Comparisons to stoner rock godfathers Black Sabbath
became common, though Homme claimed to have little prior knowledge of the band. Bassist Oliveri left the band following completion of the album and Scott Reeder, who had been approached about joining Kyuss five-to-six months earlier during a West Coast tour with The Obsessed
, made his debut at the release party for Blues for the Red Sun.
The band then soon found themselves signed with major label Elektra Records
after Dali Records hit financial problems and was bought by Elektra. In 1994, they would release their first major label album, self titled "Kyuss". Originally intended to be titled Pools Of Mercury, the album commonly came to be known among fans as Welcome to Sky Valley
. Between record company shuffling and bandmember shuffling it would take a whole year for the album recorded in 1993 to be released. Once again produced by Chris Goss, it received critical acclaim and, musically, demonstrated a much more psychedelic and mature sound. However, personal problems emerged and drummer Brant Bjork left the band following completion of the recording sessions. Bjork cited his extreme distaste for touring, particularly band relationship problems that develop during long periods on the road. He was replaced by Alfredo Hernández
, who had previously played with Reeder in the band Across the River during the mid-80s. In July 1995, they released their fourth and final album, ...And the Circus Leaves Town
. A video was made for "One Inch Man", the album's only official single. The album was not as successful commercially as Sky Valley, receiving many lukewarm reviews. Within 3 months of the release, Kyuss decided to disband sometime in October 1995. With the sudden breakup, "...And the Circus Leaves Town" received a rejuvenation in appeal and is now considered a strong effort. A compilation EP was later released in 1997 containing singles and b-sides.
After the band's breakup in 1995, there had been frequent and persistent speculation among fans regarding the possibility of a Kyuss reunion. When asked in late 2004 about whether the band would ever re-unite, Homme replied that this was unlikely to happen in the near future. However, on December 20, 2005, Garcia made a guest appearance onstage with Queens of the Stone Age during their encore at the Wiltern LG
in Los Angeles. They performed three Kyuss songs together: "Thumb", "Hurricane" and "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop". The band has reportedly received numerous offers to re-form, all of which have been turned down:
Scott Reeder also commented on a possible Kyuss reunion in early 2008, saying "I think everyone but Josh would do it in a heartbeat". Reeder also noted that he would "do it for free beer again".
ist with The Screaming Trees
, and began work on The Desert Sessions
series, which continues to this day. In December 1997, a transitional split EP
was released, featuring three songs by Kyuss ("Into the Void" (a Black Sabbath
cover), "Fatso Forgotso" and "Flip the Phase") and three by Queens of the Stone Age ("If Only Everything", "Born to Hula" and "Spiders & Vinegaroons"). Homme and Hernandez formed Queens of the Stone Age
in 1998, and recruited Oliveri as bassist after completion of their debut album.
Hernandez later played with Yawning Man
, Che
and Orquestra Del Desierto, while Oliveri formed the band Mondo Generator
, named after the only Kyuss song credited solely (words and music) to him. Drummer Brant Bjork
went on to form the band Brant Bjork and the Bros, recorded and performed with Fu Manchu
and Mondo Generator, and has recorded several solo albums.
John Garcia went on to form Slo Burn
, although the band was short-lived and released only one EP, Amusing the Amazing
, before disbanding in September 1997. He was also briefly associated with the band Karma to Burn
. In 1998, he began working with the band Unida
, recording one EP, one LP and an unreleased album. At the same time he started working with the band Hermano, having released three LP's and one live album to date. Garcia has more recently been working on a solo album.
In 1997, Homme, Bjork, and Oliveri recorded three songs together ("13th Floor", "Simple Exploding Man", & "Cocaine Rodeo") for Mondo Generator's debut album Cocaine Rodeo
, released in 2000. Also featuring Garcia and Chris Goss on one track, the songs are regarded by many fans as the true final Kyuss recordings.
In 2000, a compilation album, Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss
, was released. The album is a collection of the band's singles, as well as B-sides and live material.
Although Kyuss left behind some "rarities", many of them were released on Muchas Gracias, and further releases from the band appear unlikely. Singer John Garcia told Billboard.com in a 2005 interview:
. His backing-band is composed of Belgian and Dutch musicians from Agua de Annique, Kong, Celestial Season and Arsenal. The setlists were almost exclusively Kyuss songs.
In June 2010, original members Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork joined John Garcia onstage to perform "Green Machine" and "Gardenia" during a headlining appearance by "Garcia Plays Kyuss" at Hellfest
in Clisson
, France
and they since appeared onstage with Garcia in other concerts on the tour, representing of the original band lineup.
In November 2010, Garcia, Oliveri and Bjork announced a reunion under the moniker "Kyuss Lives!
" for a European tour, with Bruno Fevery serving as the band's guitarist. In reference to the new band name, Garcia stated that "there is never going to be a Kyuss without Josh Homme" and that "hopefully in the future him and I can get together and do some writing."
They toured Australia and New Zealand in May. They toured Europe in June 2011 and have announced a North and South America tour for late Summer and Fall, 2011, with Scott Reeder playing many dates outside of the US. After this tour, Kyuss Lives! plans to record a new studio album for a summer 2012 release.
Final lineup (1995)
Previous members
Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately east of Palm Springs. The population was 48,445 at the 2010 census, up from 41,155 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After forming in the late 1980s and releasing an EP under the name Sons of Kyuss
Sons of Kyuss
Sons of Kyuss is a demo by Sons of Kyuss. They released this eponymous recording in 1990 before changing their name to Kyuss later that year. The band's first album, Wretch, was released in 1991 and featured several re-recorded songs and two taken directly from this demo, "Deadly Kiss" and "Black...
in 1990, the band shortened its name to Kyuss. Over the next five years the band released four full-length albums, and one last split EP in 1997 with Kyuss and the newly formed Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
. This nicely tied up the loose ends of Kyuss and introduced the new band Queens of the Stone Age, which was initially composed entirely of ex-Kyuss members.
The band's only continuous members were vocalist John Garcia and guitarist Josh Homme, but also featured Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri, Scott Reeder, Alfredo Hernandez, and Chris Cockrell. Kyuss split up in 1995, and since then, members of Kyuss have gone on to form or play in several notable bands including Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
, Dwarves
Dwarves (band)
Dwarves is an American punk band formed in Chicago, Illinois, as The Suburban Nightmare, in the mid-1980s. They are currently based in San Francisco, California. Formed as a garage punk band, their career subsequently saw them move in a hardcore direction before settling into an eclectic punk rock...
, Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:...
, Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998 by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme. Despite their band name, Eagles of Death Metal are not a death metal band. Hughes stated that a friend was introducing Josh Homme to the death metal genre...
, Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator is an American metal/punk hybrid band founded in 1997 by Nick Oliveri. The name of the band originated when Brant Bjork spray-painted the words on the side of Oliveri's Sunn amplifier. Mondo means "world" in Italian...
, Hermano, Unida
Unida
Unida was an American stoner rock band that was formed after the dissolution of Kyuss and Slo Burn. The band originally consisted of John Garcia , Arthur Seay , Miguel Cancino and Dave Dinsmore . Dinsmore was later replaced by Scott Reeder, who was in turn replaced by Eddie Plascencia...
, Slo Burn
Slo Burn
Slo Burn was a short-lived stoner rock band active during 1996 and 1997. The band was formed by John Garcia of the influential stoner rock band Kyuss, which had split up months previously...
and Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures is a rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 2009 by John Paul Jones , Dave Grohl , and Josh Homme . The group also includes guitarist Alain Johannes during live performances...
. However, in November 2010, Kyuss announced a reunion as Kyuss Lives!, who has been embarking on a world tour
Kyuss Lives! Tour
The Kyuss Lives! Tour is a 2011 concert tour by Kyuss Lives!, a spin-off band featuring three former members of the stoner rock band Kyuss. It is the first tour since the "original" Kyuss broke up in 1995, and marks the first time in 19 years that John Garcia, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri have...
since March 2011 and plans release a new album in 2012. Guitarist Bruno Fevery
Bruno Fevery
Bruno Fevery is a Belgian guitarist currently playing in Kyuss Lives, a spin-off band featuring three former members of Kyuss. The band is planning to tour and release a new album in 2011. He previously played with Kyuss singer John Garcia in his project Garcia Plays Kyuss...
is filling in for Homme, who has always discouraged talk of a reunion.
As Katzenjammer and Sons of Kyuss (1988–1991)
The band formed in 1988 jamming under the name Katzenjammer (German slangword for "Hangover" [archaic]) before eventually deciding upon Sons of Kyuss. The name was taken from the undead monsterKyuss (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Kyuss is a demigod concerned with the creation and mastery of the Undead...
found in the 1st edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game book Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
. In 1989 the band recorded their eponymous debut EP, Sons of Kyuss
Sons of Kyuss
Sons of Kyuss is a demo by Sons of Kyuss. They released this eponymous recording in 1990 before changing their name to Kyuss later that year. The band's first album, Wretch, was released in 1991 and featured several re-recorded songs and two taken directly from this demo, "Deadly Kiss" and "Black...
, which was their only release to feature Chris Cockrell
Chris Cockrell
Chris Cockrell is an American musician, who formed Sons of Kyuss with Josh Homme, John Garcia and Brant Bjork, later shortened to just Kyuss...
on bass. After self-releasing the EP in 1990, the band recruited Nick Oliveri
Nick Oliveri
Nick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
– who had previously played second guitar in Katzenjammer – to replace Cockrell on bass, and shortened their name to Kyuss.
As Kyuss (1991–1995)
Kyuss' first line-up consisted of vocalist John GarciaJohn Garcia (singer)
John Garcia is a vocalist who has been a member of Kyuss, Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. His vocals have become synonymous with modern stoner rock and the desert rock sound.-Kyuss:...
, guitarist Joshua Homme
Joshua Homme
Joshua Michael Homme is an American rock musician, and record producer. He was the guitarist and a founding member of the stoner metal band Kyuss, as well as the founding and only continuous member of the hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age , in which he sings, plays guitar, and serves as the...
, bassist Nick Oliveri
Nick Oliveri
Nick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
and drummer Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:...
. The band gradually built a local following in Palm Desert, California and frequently performed at parties in and around the isolated towns of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
's desert areas. These impromptu and predominantly outdoor shows, referred to locally as "generator parties", consisted of small crowds of people, beer drinking, and the use of gasoline-powered generators to provide electricity for the equipment. Homme commented that playing in the desert "was the shaping factor for the band" noting that "there's no clubs here, so you can only play for free. If people don't like you, they'll tell you. You can't suck."
The band then signed with independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Dali Records, who released their debut album, Wretch
Wretch (album)
Wretch is the first full-length album by Kyuss. It was released in September 1991, on Dali Records. Previously calling themselves Sons of Kyuss, they shortened their name prior to releasing this....
, in September 1991. Several songs on the album were re-recorded versions of those that appeared on the Sons of Kyuss EP. Under-produced and poorly financed, the album was a poor representation of the "Kyuss sound", and it ultimately depicted a young band still searching for its true musical identity. Album sales were sluggish, though the band was quickly making a name for itself as a live act. Guitarist Josh Homme soon gained a reputation for his unique downtuned, psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
style of guitar playing, and his convention of playing electric guitars through bass guitar amplifiers to create a bass-heavy sound.
In 1992, the band, along with new producer Chris Goss
Chris Goss (U.S.)
Christopher Ryan Goss, born August 17, 1958, is an American record producer and musician.-Selected discography:Throughout his career Goss has worked with a wide range of musicians in various genres.* 1988 - Masters of Reality by Masters of Reality...
, began work on their next album, Blues for the Red Sun
Blues for the Red Sun
Blues for the Red Sun is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Kyuss, released in 1992. While the album received mainly favorable reviews, it sold only 39,000 units....
. Goss understood the band, and was able to accurately capture their live sound in the studio. Released in June that year, the album was critically hailed and is today widely regarded as a pioneering stoner rock
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
record. By the end of 1993, they were invited to open nine dates for Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
touring Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Comparisons to stoner rock godfathers Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
became common, though Homme claimed to have little prior knowledge of the band. Bassist Oliveri left the band following completion of the album and Scott Reeder, who had been approached about joining Kyuss five-to-six months earlier during a West Coast tour with The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
, made his debut at the release party for Blues for the Red Sun.
The band then soon found themselves signed with major label Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
after Dali Records hit financial problems and was bought by Elektra. In 1994, they would release their first major label album, self titled "Kyuss". Originally intended to be titled Pools Of Mercury, the album commonly came to be known among fans as Welcome to Sky Valley
Welcome to Sky Valley
Welcome to Sky Valley is the third studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, originally released on June 28, 1994.-Album information:...
. Between record company shuffling and bandmember shuffling it would take a whole year for the album recorded in 1993 to be released. Once again produced by Chris Goss, it received critical acclaim and, musically, demonstrated a much more psychedelic and mature sound. However, personal problems emerged and drummer Brant Bjork left the band following completion of the recording sessions. Bjork cited his extreme distaste for touring, particularly band relationship problems that develop during long periods on the road. He was replaced by Alfredo Hernández
Alfredo Hernandez
Alfredo Hernández is an American drummer best known as a member of desert rock bands Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Brant Bjork and the Bros and Yawning Man. He is jazz trained.- Career :...
, who had previously played with Reeder in the band Across the River during the mid-80s. In July 1995, they released their fourth and final album, ...And the Circus Leaves Town
...And the Circus Leaves Town
...And the Circus Leaves Town is the fourth studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, released on July 11, 1995.Upon its release, the album was not as commercially or critically successful as the previous Blues for the Red Sun and Welcome to Sky Valley...
. A video was made for "One Inch Man", the album's only official single. The album was not as successful commercially as Sky Valley, receiving many lukewarm reviews. Within 3 months of the release, Kyuss decided to disband sometime in October 1995. With the sudden breakup, "...And the Circus Leaves Town" received a rejuvenation in appeal and is now considered a strong effort. A compilation EP was later released in 1997 containing singles and b-sides.
After the band's breakup in 1995, there had been frequent and persistent speculation among fans regarding the possibility of a Kyuss reunion. When asked in late 2004 about whether the band would ever re-unite, Homme replied that this was unlikely to happen in the near future. However, on December 20, 2005, Garcia made a guest appearance onstage with Queens of the Stone Age during their encore at the Wiltern LG
Wiltern Theatre
The Wiltern Theatre and adjacent 12-story Pellissier Building are Art Deco architectural landmarks located on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The entire complex is commonly referred to as the Wiltern Center...
in Los Angeles. They performed three Kyuss songs together: "Thumb", "Hurricane" and "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop". The band has reportedly received numerous offers to re-form, all of which have been turned down:
Scott Reeder also commented on a possible Kyuss reunion in early 2008, saying "I think everyone but Josh would do it in a heartbeat". Reeder also noted that he would "do it for free beer again".
Post-break up (1996–2009)
Shortly after the breakup, Homme toured as the rhythm guitarRhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist with The Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel had been replaced by Barrett Martin by the time the band reached its most successful period...
, and began work on The Desert Sessions
The Desert Sessions
The Desert Sessions are a musical collective series, founded by Josh Homme in 1997. Artists such as Brant Bjork, PJ Harvey, Jeordie White The Desert Sessions are a musical collective series, founded by Josh Homme in 1997. Artists such as Brant Bjork, PJ Harvey, Jeordie White The Desert Sessions are...
series, which continues to this day. In December 1997, a transitional split EP
Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age
Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age is a split compilation EP which was released in December 1997. The first three songs are performed by Kyuss and the last three songs by guitarist Josh Homme's next band, Queens of the Stone Age....
was released, featuring three songs by Kyuss ("Into the Void" (a Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
cover), "Fatso Forgotso" and "Flip the Phase") and three by Queens of the Stone Age ("If Only Everything", "Born to Hula" and "Spiders & Vinegaroons"). Homme and Hernandez formed Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
in 1998, and recruited Oliveri as bassist after completion of their debut album.
Hernandez later played with Yawning Man
Yawning Man
Yawning Man is an American experimental rock band from La Quinta, California. The band originally formed in 1986, although they released no studio recordings until 2005...
, Che
Che (band)
Ché was an American stoner rock band founded by former Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork. Ché released their only LP Sounds of Liberation in 2000....
and Orquestra Del Desierto, while Oliveri formed the band Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator is an American metal/punk hybrid band founded in 1997 by Nick Oliveri. The name of the band originated when Brant Bjork spray-painted the words on the side of Oliveri's Sunn amplifier. Mondo means "world" in Italian...
, named after the only Kyuss song credited solely (words and music) to him. Drummer Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork
Brant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:...
went on to form the band Brant Bjork and the Bros, recorded and performed with Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
and Mondo Generator, and has recorded several solo albums.
John Garcia went on to form Slo Burn
Slo Burn
Slo Burn was a short-lived stoner rock band active during 1996 and 1997. The band was formed by John Garcia of the influential stoner rock band Kyuss, which had split up months previously...
, although the band was short-lived and released only one EP, Amusing the Amazing
Amusing the Amazing
Amusing the Amazing was an EP released by Slo Burn in 1996. It only contained four songs, and sounded very much in the vein of Kyuss, of stoner rock fame, partially due to having been co-produced by Chris Goss, who also produced much of the music of Kyuss, and partially due to the presence again of...
, before disbanding in September 1997. He was also briefly associated with the band Karma to Burn
Karma to Burn
Karma to Burn, sometimes known as K2B, is a desert rock/stoner metal band from Morgantown, West Virginia comprising guitarist William Mecum, bassist Rich Mullins, and drummer Rob Oswald...
. In 1998, he began working with the band Unida
Unida
Unida was an American stoner rock band that was formed after the dissolution of Kyuss and Slo Burn. The band originally consisted of John Garcia , Arthur Seay , Miguel Cancino and Dave Dinsmore . Dinsmore was later replaced by Scott Reeder, who was in turn replaced by Eddie Plascencia...
, recording one EP, one LP and an unreleased album. At the same time he started working with the band Hermano, having released three LP's and one live album to date. Garcia has more recently been working on a solo album.
In 1997, Homme, Bjork, and Oliveri recorded three songs together ("13th Floor", "Simple Exploding Man", & "Cocaine Rodeo") for Mondo Generator's debut album Cocaine Rodeo
Cocaine Rodeo
Cocaine Rodeo is the debut album by American metal/punk band Mondo Generator, released on Southern Lord Records in 2000. It was compiled of material recorded by vocalist/bassist Nick Oliveri with an Austin, Texas punk band and his ex-Kyuss bandmates. Recorded in 1997, the material was shelved for...
, released in 2000. Also featuring Garcia and Chris Goss on one track, the songs are regarded by many fans as the true final Kyuss recordings.
In 2000, a compilation album, Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss
Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss
Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss is a compilation album from the stoner rock band Kyuss. Although it is promoted as a "Greatest Hits" compilation, it includes 6 songs which are either B-sides or do not appear on any of their albums...
, was released. The album is a collection of the band's singles, as well as B-sides and live material.
Although Kyuss left behind some "rarities", many of them were released on Muchas Gracias, and further releases from the band appear unlikely. Singer John Garcia told Billboard.com in a 2005 interview:
Kyuss Lives! (2010–present)
In 2010, a European "John Garcia plays Kyuss" tour was announced, starting with a gig at Roadburn FestivalRoadburn Festival
Roadburn Festival is an annual international rock festival in Tilburg in the Netherlands held since 1995.-2012 edition:The event will take place in Tilburg from April 12 to 15 at 013 and Midi Theatre.It was sold out in 7 minutes.Thursday, April 12...
. His backing-band is composed of Belgian and Dutch musicians from Agua de Annique, Kong, Celestial Season and Arsenal. The setlists were almost exclusively Kyuss songs.
In June 2010, original members Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork joined John Garcia onstage to perform "Green Machine" and "Gardenia" during a headlining appearance by "Garcia Plays Kyuss" at Hellfest
Hellfest Summer Open Air
Hellfest is an annual music festival which takes place in Clisson, France in mid-June. It is held within the Val de Moine sport complex in Clisson, approximately 35 km south-east of the city of Nantes, and approximately 400 km south-west of the nation's capital Paris. Billed as an "extreme music...
in Clisson
Clisson
Clisson , is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique département in western France.It is situated at the confluence of the Sèvre Nantaise and the Moine southeast of Nantes ....
, France
France
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and they since appeared onstage with Garcia in other concerts on the tour, representing of the original band lineup.
In November 2010, Garcia, Oliveri and Bjork announced a reunion under the moniker "Kyuss Lives!
Kyuss Lives! Tour
The Kyuss Lives! Tour is a 2011 concert tour by Kyuss Lives!, a spin-off band featuring three former members of the stoner rock band Kyuss. It is the first tour since the "original" Kyuss broke up in 1995, and marks the first time in 19 years that John Garcia, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri have...
" for a European tour, with Bruno Fevery serving as the band's guitarist. In reference to the new band name, Garcia stated that "there is never going to be a Kyuss without Josh Homme" and that "hopefully in the future him and I can get together and do some writing."
They toured Australia and New Zealand in May. They toured Europe in June 2011 and have announced a North and South America tour for late Summer and Fall, 2011, with Scott Reeder playing many dates outside of the US. After this tour, Kyuss Lives! plans to record a new studio album for a summer 2012 release.
Members
Kyuss Lives! lineup- John GarciaJohn Garcia (singer)John Garcia is a vocalist who has been a member of Kyuss, Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. His vocals have become synonymous with modern stoner rock and the desert rock sound.-Kyuss:...
– lead vocals - Bruno FeveryBruno FeveryBruno Fevery is a Belgian guitarist currently playing in Kyuss Lives, a spin-off band featuring three former members of Kyuss. The band is planning to tour and release a new album in 2011. He previously played with Kyuss singer John Garcia in his project Garcia Plays Kyuss...
– guitars - Nick OliveriNick OliveriNick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
– bass (sometimes replaced by Scott Reeder) - Brant BjorkBrant BjorkBrant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:...
– drums, percussion - Scott Reeder – bass (live shows outside the United States)
Final lineup (1995)
- John GarciaJohn Garcia (singer)John Garcia is a vocalist who has been a member of Kyuss, Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. His vocals have become synonymous with modern stoner rock and the desert rock sound.-Kyuss:...
– lead vocals (1988–1995) - Josh Homme – guitars (1988–1995)
- Scott Reeder – bass (1992–1995)
- Alfredo HernándezAlfredo HernandezAlfredo Hernández is an American drummer best known as a member of desert rock bands Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Brant Bjork and the Bros and Yawning Man. He is jazz trained.- Career :...
– drums, percussion (1994–1995)
Previous members
- Brant BjorkBrant BjorkBrant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:...
– drums, percussion (1988–1993) - Nick OliveriNick OliveriNick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
– guitars (1988–1989), bass (1991–1992) - Chris CockrellChris CockrellChris Cockrell is an American musician, who formed Sons of Kyuss with Josh Homme, John Garcia and Brant Bjork, later shortened to just Kyuss...
– bass (1988–1991)
| Dates | Releases | Instruments | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocalist | Lead guitarist | Rhythm guitarist | Bass guitar | Drums | |||
| 1988–1989 | John Garcia John Garcia (singer) John Garcia is a vocalist who has been a member of Kyuss, Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano. His vocals have become synonymous with modern stoner rock and the desert rock sound.-Kyuss:... |
Josh Homme | Nick Oliveri Nick Oliveri Nick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist... |
Chris Cockrell Chris Cockrell Chris Cockrell is an American musician, who formed Sons of Kyuss with Josh Homme, John Garcia and Brant Bjork, later shortened to just Kyuss... |
Brant Bjork Brant Bjork Brant Bjork is an American musician from Palm Desert, California, who is a drummer, producer, guitarist and one of the more notable figures in the stoner rock and Palm Desert scenes.-Early career and Kyuss:... |
as "Katzenjammer" | |
| 1989–1990 | Josh Homme | as "Sons of Kyuss Sons of Kyuss Sons of Kyuss is a demo by Sons of Kyuss. They released this eponymous recording in 1990 before changing their name to Kyuss later that year. The band's first album, Wretch, was released in 1991 and featured several re-recorded songs and two taken directly from this demo, "Deadly Kiss" and "Black... " |
|||||
| 1991–1992 | Wretch Wretch (album) Wretch is the first full-length album by Kyuss. It was released in September 1991, on Dali Records. Previously calling themselves Sons of Kyuss, they shortened their name prior to releasing this.... and Blues for the Red Sun Blues for the Red Sun Blues for the Red Sun is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Kyuss, released in 1992. While the album received mainly favorable reviews, it sold only 39,000 units.... |
Nick Oliveri | First line-up as "Kyuss" | ||||
| 1992–1993 | Welcome to Sky Valley Welcome to Sky Valley Welcome to Sky Valley is the third studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, originally released on June 28, 1994.-Album information:... |
Scott Reeder | |||||
| 1994–1995 | ...And the Circus Leaves Town ...And the Circus Leaves Town ...And the Circus Leaves Town is the fourth studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, released on July 11, 1995.Upon its release, the album was not as commercially or critically successful as the previous Blues for the Red Sun and Welcome to Sky Valley... |
Alfredo Hernández Alfredo Hernandez Alfredo Hernández is an American drummer best known as a member of desert rock bands Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Brant Bjork and the Bros and Yawning Man. He is jazz trained.- Career :... |
Last line-up before disbanding. | ||||
| 1995–2010 | Disbanded | ||||||
| 2010–present | John Garcia | Bruno Fevery Bruno Fevery Bruno Fevery is a Belgian guitarist currently playing in Kyuss Lives, a spin-off band featuring three former members of Kyuss. The band is planning to tour and release a new album in 2011. He previously played with Kyuss singer John Garcia in his project Garcia Plays Kyuss... |
Nick Oliveri | Brant Bjork | Reunion lineup as "Kyuss Lives!" | ||
World tours
- Blues for the Red Sun Tour, 1992–1993
- Welcome to Sky Valley Tour, 1994–1995
- ...And the Circus Leaves Town Tour, 1995
- Kyuss Lives! TourKyuss Lives! TourThe Kyuss Lives! Tour is a 2011 concert tour by Kyuss Lives!, a spin-off band featuring three former members of the stoner rock band Kyuss. It is the first tour since the "original" Kyuss broke up in 1995, and marks the first time in 19 years that John Garcia, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri have...
, 2011
Studio albums
- WretchWretch (album)Wretch is the first full-length album by Kyuss. It was released in September 1991, on Dali Records. Previously calling themselves Sons of Kyuss, they shortened their name prior to releasing this....
(1991) - Blues for the Red SunBlues for the Red SunBlues for the Red Sun is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Kyuss, released in 1992. While the album received mainly favorable reviews, it sold only 39,000 units....
(1992) - Welcome to Sky ValleyWelcome to Sky ValleyWelcome to Sky Valley is the third studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, originally released on June 28, 1994.-Album information:...
(1994) - ...And the Circus Leaves Town...And the Circus Leaves Town...And the Circus Leaves Town is the fourth studio album by American stoner rock/metal band Kyuss, released on July 11, 1995.Upon its release, the album was not as commercially or critically successful as the previous Blues for the Red Sun and Welcome to Sky Valley...
(1995)