Kyuss
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Kyuss | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Katzenjammer (1987–1989) Sons of Kyuss (1989–1991) |
| Born | Script error: No such module "person date". |
| Origin | Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Died | Script error: No such module "person date". |
| Genres | Page Template:Hlist/styles.css has no content. |
| Works | |
| Years active | 1987–1995 |
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| Spinoffs | Page Template:Hlist/styles.css has no content. |
| Past members | Josh Homme John Garcia Scott Reeder Alfredo Hernández Chris Cockrell Brant Bjork Nick Oliveri |
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Kyuss (/ˈkaɪəs/ Script error: No such module "Respell".) was an American stoner rock band formed in Palm Desert, California in 1987. They are considered one of the pioneers of the genre.[1] After disbanding in 1995,[5][6] a number of band members have gone on to form or play in several notable bands including 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 of the band (minus Homme, who declined to participate) reunited under the adapted moniker "Kyuss Lives!" for a world tour with plans to record a new album.[7] A federal lawsuit subsequently filed by Homme resulted in Oliveri leaving the band in March 2012.[8] Five months later, a court ruled that Garcia and Bjork were not allowed to release audio recordings under the Kyuss Lives! moniker.[9] As a result, they changed their name to Vista Chino.[10]
History
As Katzenjammer and Sons of Kyuss (1987–1991)
The band formed in 1987 jamming under the name Katzenjammer (German slangword for "Hangover" [archaic], literally "moaning of a cat") before eventually deciding upon Sons of Kyuss. Brant Bjork selected the name from the undead monster found in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.[1] 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.
As Kyuss (1991–1995)
Kyuss' first line-up consisted of vocalist John Garcia, guitarist Josh 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",[11] consisted of small crowds of people, beer drinking, and the use of gasoline-powered generators to provide electricity for the equipment.[12] 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."[11]
The band then signed with independent record label Dali, a subsidiary of the Elektra Records-distributed Chameleon 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. Album sales were sluggish, though the band was quickly making a name for itself as a live act.[1] 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.[13] 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.[11] Comparisons to stoner rock godfathers Black Sabbath became common, though Homme claimed to have little knowledge of the band at the time[14] but Bjork asserted he and Oliveri were hugely influenced by the British group.[15] 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.
In 1993, Kyuss were moved from Dali to the main Chameleon label, and recorded their third album, Welcome to Sky Valley.[13] Once again produced by Chris Goss, it demonstrated a much more psychedelic and mature sound.[16] 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. The album was initially scheduled to be released in January 1994, but Chameleon went under in November 1993.[13] Elektra opted to pick up the band's contract from Chameleon,[13] and issued the album in June 1994 to critical acclaim. One of the album's singles, "Demon Cleaner", reached number 78 on the UK Singles Chart.[17]Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:If preview' not found.
In July 1995, Kyuss released their fourth and final album, ...And the Circus Leaves Town. The band's only album recorded for a major label, it featured a simpler sound, in contrast to the instrumentally based Welcome to Sky Valley.[16] "One Inch Man" was released as the album's only single in June 1995, and a music video was also made for the song.[16] The album was not as successful commercially as Sky Valley, receiving mixed reviews. Kyuss broke up during the late summer of 1995.
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".[18] The band has reportedly received numerous offers to reform, 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".[19]
Post-breakup (1996–present)
Shortly after the breakup, Homme toured as the rhythm guitarist with Screaming Trees and began work on ongoing The Desert Sessions recording series. In December 1997, a transitional split EP was released, featuring three songs by Kyuss (the Black Sabbath cover "Into the Void," "Fatso Forgotso", and "Flip the Phase") and three songs 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, Ché and Orquesta 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 had more recently been working on a solo album.[20]
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 in a 2005 interview:
In 2010, a European "John Garcia plays Kyuss" tour was announced. In June 2010, former Kyuss members Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork joined Garcia onstage to perform "Green Machine" and "Gardenia" during a headlining appearance by "Garcia Plays Kyuss" at Hellfest in Clisson, France,[21] and they also appeared onstage with Garcia in other concerts on the tour.
In November 2010, Garcia, Oliveri and Bjork announced plans to tour under the moniker "Kyuss Lives!" with guitarist Bruno Fevery. 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."[22] The band went on to tour Europe,[7] Australia,[23] New Zealand,[24] and North and South America. The band then announced plans to record a new studio album for a summer 2012 release in addition to a live album.[25]
However, in March 2012, it was revealed that Josh Homme, after persuading bassist Scott Reeder to support him, had filed a federal lawsuit against John Garcia and Brant Bjork alleging "trademark infringement and consumer fraud" over the use of the Kyuss name despite the fact Brant Bjork had originally created the name. Nick Oliveri left the project later that month after it was revealed that Garcia and Bjork had tried to take control of the Kyuss trademark.[8]
In August 2012, the courts ruled that Garcia and Bjork could not release any recordings, studio or live, under the Kyuss Lives! moniker. While they were allowed to continue using the moniker for live shows (as long as, unlike the band's current logo, Lives! is written in the same size and next to the word Kyuss to avoid confusion), the judge stated that they may face issues in the future and that "it may be in Defendants' best interest to begin re-branding under a new name".[26] On November 29, 2012, it was announced that Kyuss Lives! had changed their name to Vista Chino.[10]
In July 2020, Homme stated that he was open to the possibility of participating in a Kyuss reunion. "There have been times I thought it cannot end that way, and the only real way to end it correctly now would be to play."[27] In 2021, Bjork stated he had reached out to Homme in regards to his comments, however, the probability of a reunion has been put into question due to a lack of communication from Homme.[28]
Style and legacy
Kyuss are considered pioneers of stoner rock in the 1990s. Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic described the band's sound as a "combination of sludgy, down-tuned guitars, spacey jams, galloping thrash metal rhythms, and organic drums." Guitarist Josh Homme used C tuning and played his guitar through a bass cabinet "for maximum, earth-shaking intensity."[29][30]
Kyuss is compared to The Velvet Underground in hard rock and heavy metal circles, in part due to their limited commercial success in spite of their insurmountable influence.[29][30]
Band members
- Josh Homme – guitars, backing vocals (1987–1995)
- John Garcia – lead vocals (1987–1995)
- Brant Bjork – drums, percussion (1987–1994)
- Chris Cockrell – bass (1987–1991)
- Nick Oliveri – rhythm guitar (1987–1988), bass, backing and lead vocals (1991–1992)
- Scott Reeder – bass, backing vocals (1992–1995)
- Alfredo Hernández – drums, percussion (1994–1995)
Lineups
| 1987–1989 Katzenjammer |
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| 1989–1991 Sons of Kyuss |
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| 1991–1992 |
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| 1992–1994 |
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| 1994–1995 |
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Timeline
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Discography
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- Wretch (1991)
- Blues for the Red Sun (1992)
- Welcome to Sky Valley (1994)
- ...And the Circus Leaves Town (1995)
References
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- ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Kyuss Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kyuss: Kings of the stoner age". The Guardian. March 25, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
described by pretty much everyone except the musicians themselves as stoner rock or desert rock
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."A beginner's guide to stoner metal in five essential albums". Loudersound.com. April 20, 2023.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Former KYUSS Members Brant Bjork And Nick Oliveri Reveal Details of New Band STÖNER Debut Album". Sonic Perspectives. May 20, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kyuss Lives! Respond to Josh Homme, Scott Reeder's Lawsuit". Rolling Stone. May 21, 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Josh Homme Artist Bio". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KYUSS Lives Without JOSH HOMME". Blabbermouth.net. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Bassist NICK OLIVERI Quits KYUSS LIVES!". Blabbermouth.net. March 22, 2012. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Court Rules on Kyuss Lives! Lawsuit". Rolling Stone. August 15, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KYUSS LIVES! Becomes VISTA CHINO". Blabbermouth.net. November 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Morris, Chris (January 15, 1994). "Kyuss lands on its feet and keeps climbing". Billboard. pp. 1, 76.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Billik, Kira L. (March 14, 1993). "Confused punk rockers' have an identity crisis". Buffalo News. pp. G3.
- ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Morris, Chris (January 15, 1994). "Kyuss Lands On Its Feet And Keeps Climbing". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 3. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 1, 75. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."My Life in Music: Josh Homme". spin.com. June 13, 2003. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kyuss lives! - Interview with drummer Brant Bjork". endhits.hu. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Morris, Chris (May 13, 1995). "Kyuss Brings Its 'Circus' To Town With 1st Official Elektra Set". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 19. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 18. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KYUSS | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Orzeck, Kurt (December 21, 2005). "QOTSA End Year On A High Note: Josh Homme Reunites With Kyuss Singer In L.A". VH1. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Iann Robinson (February 21, 2008). "BLAST BEAT 007: SCOTT REEDER". Nonelouder.com. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Garcia Vs Garcia". Garcia Vs Garcia official website. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Three Quarters Of Kyuss Reunites At France's Hellfest; Video Available - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ December/January 2011 issue of Rock-A-Rolla
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KYUSS LIVES!: Australian Tour Announced". Blabbermouth.net. November 11, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kyuss Lives! In NZ." MTV. December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lederlé Eric. "VerdamMnis Music E-Magazine - Interviews - Kyuss Lives : None - Juin 2011". Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Greg Prato (August 15, 2012). "Court Rules on Kyuss Lives Lawsuit | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."JOSH HOMME Is Open To Playing With KYUSS Again". Blabbermouth.net. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Richards, Will (March 24, 2021). "Brant Bjork has spoken to Josh Homme about a potential Kyuss reunion". NME. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Earles, Andrew (2014). Gimme Indie Rock. p. 172.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kyuss Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | All..." AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
External links
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- Template:Wikidata Kyuss discography at DiscogsTemplate:EditAtWikidata
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