Kyuss

Kyuss

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1987 in Palm Desert, California, United States
Defunct	1995
Headquarters	Palm Desert , United States
Products	Music albums, live performances

Kyuss () was an American stoner rock group that originated in Palm Desert, California, in 1987 and is widely acknowledged as a foundational act within the genre. Following their split in 1995, its members went on to form or join several influential bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees, Fu Manchu, Dwarves, Eagles of Death Metal, Mondo Generator, Hermano, Unida, Slo Burn and Them Crooked Vultures.

In November 2010, three former members—excluding Homme—came together again under the name "Kyuss Lives!" for a global tour and intended to produce a new album. However, after a federal lawsuit initiated by Homme, bassist Oliveri departed in March 2012. Subsequently, five months later, a court prohibited Garcia and Bjork from using the Kyuss Lives! name for releasing recordings. As a result, they rebranded the band as Vista Chino.

Origins as Katzenjammer and Sons of Kyuss (1987–1991)

The group initially formed in 1987 under the name Katzenjammer before changing it to Sons of Kyuss, a moniker selected by Brant Bjork inspired by a creature from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. In 1989, they recorded their first EP titled Sons of Kyuss, which featured Chris Cockrell on bass. After independently releasing this EP in 1990, Nick Oliveri replaced Cockrell on bass duties and the band shortened their name to Kyuss.

Kyuss Era (1991–1995)

The original Kyuss lineup consisted of vocalist John Garcia, guitarist Josh Homme, bassist Nick Oliveri, and drummer Brant Bjork. They cultivated a regional fanbase in Palm Desert by playing at outdoor "generator parties" powered by gasoline generators. Homme credited the desert setting with influencing their musical style and fostering direct interaction with audiences.

Signing with Dali Records, an independent label under Chameleon Records, they released their debut album Wretch in September 1991. Although commercial success was limited, Kyuss gained attention for their energetic live shows. Homme pioneered a distinctive downtuned guitar sound employing bass amplifiers to achieve a heavier tone.

In 1992, collaborating with producer Chris Goss, they launched Blues for the Red Sun, which received critical acclaim and is now regarded as a seminal stoner rock album. By late 1993, they supported Metallica during an Australian tour. After recording sessions concluded, Oliveri left the band and was succeeded by Scott Reeder.

Kyuss transitioned to Chameleon's primary label in 1993 and recorded Welcome to Sky Valley, again produced by Goss. This album demonstrated a more psychedelic and evolved sound. Drummer Bjork departed due to exhaustion from touring and was replaced by Alfredo Hernández. Although its release was initially postponed because of Chameleon’s collapse, Elektra Records issued the album in June 1994 to positive reviews. The track "Demon Cleaner" reached number 78 on the UK Singles Chart.

Their fourth and final album, ...And the Circus Leaves Town, was released in July 1995 as their sole major label effort. It featured a more straightforward sound compared to its predecessor. The single "One Inch Man" was supported by a music video. Despite mixed critical reception and lower sales than Sky Valley, Kyuss disbanded later that year.

Following the breakup, there were ongoing rumors about reunions; however, Josh Homme consistently declined these offers, emphasizing his commitment to preserving Kyuss's legacy rather than pursuing financial incentives or nostalgia-driven projects. Garcia made guest appearances with Queens of the Stone Age performing Kyuss material in 2005, but full reunions were never realized despite lucrative propositions.

Scott Reeder expressed eagerness to reunite without hesitation if not for Homme’s unwillingness, highlighting both the band's unique history and its devoted fan following.

Post-breakup period (1996–present)

Following the band's dissolution, Homme embarked on a tour as rhythm guitarist with Screaming Trees and launched the continuing The Desert Sessions recording project. In December 1997, a split EP marked a transitional phase, containing three Kyuss tracks ("Into the Void," "Fatso Forgotso," "Flip the Phase") alongside three songs by Queens of the Stone Age. Homme and Hernandez established Queens of the Stone Age in 1998, later bringing Oliveri on board as bassist after their initial album release.

Hernandez went on to perform with Yawning Man, Ché, and Orquesta del Desierto, whereas Oliveri created Mondo Generator, named after his only composition for Kyuss. Drummer Brant Bjork formed Brant Bjork and the Bros, collaborated with Fu Manchu and Mondo Generator, and also produced solo work.

John Garcia initiated Slo Burn, which released a single EP before disbanding in 1997. He briefly collaborated with Karma to Burn, then became part of Unida and Hermano, contributing to several album releases. Additionally, he has pursued a solo album project.

In 1997, Homme, Bjork, and Oliveri recorded three tracks featured on Mondo Generator's debut album Cocaine Rodeo (2000), which fans often regard as Kyuss's final recordings. The 2000 compilation Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss gathered singles, B-sides, and live performances. Further archival releases appear improbable; Garcia stated in 2005 that although unreleased material exists, members’ other commitments make issuing it unlikely.

Garcia announced a European tour in 2010 titled "John Garcia plays Kyuss." Former bandmates Oliveri and Bjork joined him onstage at Hellfest in France and additional shows. Later that year, Garcia, Oliveri, and Bjork formed "Kyuss Lives!" with guitarist Bruno Fevery, touring extensively across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. They planned to record a new studio album by summer 2012 alongside a live album release.

In March 2012, Josh Homme initiated a federal lawsuit against Garcia and Bjork over trademark infringement concerning the Kyuss name; bassist Scott Reeder sided with Homme. Oliveri departed after Garcia and Bjork attempted to assert control over the trademark rights. By August 2012, courts prohibited Garcia and Bjork from releasing recordings under the Kyuss Lives! name but allowed them to perform live with altered branding to prevent confusion. Consequently, they adopted the name Vista Chino in November 2012.

In July 2020, Homme indicated a willingness to consider a Kyuss reunion. The following year, Bjork revealed he had reached out to Homme about this prospect; however, due to limited response from Homme, a reunion remains uncertain.

Style and legacy

Kyuss is widely recognized as a pioneer of stoner rock during the 1990s. Eduardo Rivadavia from AllMusic characterized their music as merging "sludgy, down-tuned guitar tones, atmospheric jams, driving thrash metal rhythms, and natural drum sounds." Guitarist Josh Homme utilized C tuning while channeling his guitar signal through a bass cabinet to achieve "maximum earth-shaking power."

Although their commercial achievements were modest, Kyuss has exerted significant influence within the realms of hard rock and heavy metal, often being likened to The Velvet Underground for their enduring impact on these genres.

Band members

• Josh Homme – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1995)
• John Garcia – lead singer (1987–1995)
• Brant Bjork – drums and percussion (1987–1994)
• Chris Cockrell – bass guitar (1987–1991)
• Nick Oliveri – rhythm guitar (1987–1988), bass guitar, lead and backing vocals (1991–1992)
• Scott Reeder – bass guitar, backing vocals (1992–1995)
• Alfredo Hernández – drums and percussion (1994–1995)

Lineups

1987–1989 Katzenjammer	John Garcia – lead singer Josh Homme – lead guitar, backing vocals Nick Oliveri – rhythm guitar Chris Cockrell – bass guitar Brant Bjork – drums and percussion
1989–1991 Sons of Kyuss	John Garcia – lead singer Josh Homme – guitars, backing vocals Chris Cockrell – bass guitar Brant Bjork – drums and percussion
1991–1992	John Garcia – lead singer Josh Homme – guitars, backing vocals Nick Oliveri – bass guitar, vocals Brant Bjork – drums and percussion
1992–1994	John Garcia – lead singer Josh Homme – guitars, backing vocals Scott Reeder – bass guitar, backing vocals Brant Bjork – drums and percussion
1994–1995	John Garcia – lead singer Josh Homme – guitars, backing vocals Scott Reeder – bass guitar, backing vocals Alfredo Hernández – drums and percussion

Timeline

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id:rguitar     value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass        value:blue        legend:Bass
id:drums       value:orange      legend:Drums_and_percussion
id:studio      value:black       legend:Studio_albums
id:EP          value:gray(0.5)   legend:EPs

LineData =

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 at:07/11/1995

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 bar:Josh    text:"Josh Homme"
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PlotData=

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 bar:John    from:start      till:end        color:lvocals
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 Bar:Josh    from:07/01/1988 till:end        color:rguitar width:7
 bar:Nick    from:start      till:06/30/1988 color:rguitar
 bar:Nick    from:06/30/1991 till:08/31/1992 color:bass
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</timeline>

Discography

• Wretch (1991)
• Blues for the Red Sun (1992)
• Welcome to Sky Valley (1994)
• ...And the Circus Leaves Town (1995)