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Kyuss (pronounced /ˈkaɪəs/ KAI-us) was an influential stoner rock/desert 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 before splitting up in 1995. Since then, members of Kyuss went on to form or feature in several notable bands including Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Unida, Brant Bjork, Mondo Generator, Hermano and Slo Burn.

History

As Sons of Kyuss (pre-1990)

The band formed in the late 1980s under the name Katzenjammer (literally 'screaming cats'- used colloquially to describe a hangover) before settling on the name Sons of Kyuss. The name Sons of Kyuss was taken from a creature found in the 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 a new bassist, Nick Oliveri, and shortened their name to Kyuss.

As Kyuss (1991-1995)

Kyuss' first line-up consisted of vocalist John Garcia, 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 shows, referred to as "generator parties",^[2] consisted of small crowds of people, beer drinking, and the use of gasoline-powered generators to provide electricity for the equipment.^[3] 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."^[2]

The band then signed with independent record label Dali Records, who released their debut album, Wretch, in September 1991. Many of the songs on the album were re-recorded versions of those that appeared on the Sons of Kyuss EP. Under-produced and poorly financed, album sales were sluggish even as their live shows gained fame.^[1] However, guitarist Josh Homme soon gained a reputation for his 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 producer Chris Goss, began work on their next album, Blues for the Red Sun. Released in June that year, the album was critically hailed and is often regarded as a pioneering stoner rock record. By the end of 1993 they were invited to open nine dates for Metallica touring Australia.^[2] just before touring in support of Blues for the Red Sun, bassist Nick Oliveri left the band and was replaced by Scott Reeder.

The band then signed with Elektra Records (Dali Records had hit financial problems) and released Welcome to Sky Valley (known more for the aforementioned title, it was actually a self titled release) in 1994. The album received critical acclaim and, musically, demonstrated a much more psychedelic sound. However, personal problems soon tore the group apart and drummer Brant Bjork left following a brief tour of the album, to be replaced by Alfredo Hernández. In July 1995, they released their fourth and final album, ...And the Circus Leaves Town. The album was not as successful as Sky Valley, though a video was made for "One Inch Man", the album's only official single thus far.

Shortly after its release, Kyuss decided to disband in October of that year. Many sources claim the band did not "officially" break up until 1996 or 1997, but this appears to be false.

Post-break up (1996-present)

Shortly after the break up, Homme and Hernandez rejoined to form Queens of the Stone Age, and soon recruited Oliveri as permanent bassist. 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"). The band has since gone on to achieve international mainstream success.

Hernandez later played with Fatso Jetson, Che and Yawning Man, while Oliveri later 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 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. In 1998 he began working with the bands Unida and Hermano, with each he has recorded two records. Garcia is now working on a solo album.^[4]

In 2000, a compilation album, Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss, was released. The album was a collection of the band's most important singles, but also contained B-sides and four songs recorded live in 1994.

Although the band left behind a lot of rarities, some of them were released on their best of album Muchas Gracias, it seems unlikely any more will be released. Singer John Garcia told Billboard.com in a 2005 interview:

Reunion?

For several years, there has been frequent speculation about the possibility of a Kyuss reunion. When asked in late 2004 about whether the band is ever coming back, 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 the encore of their set at the Wiltern LG in Los Angeles. They performed three Kyuss songs together: "Thumb", "Hurricane" and "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop".^[6] The band has been made numerous offers to reform, all of which they have 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". This is due to Homme's commitments with his current band. Reeder also noted that he would "do it for free beer again".^[8]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles

Videography

• "Thong Song" – 1992
• "Green Machine" – 1992
• "Demon Cleaner" – 1994
• "One Inch Man" – 1995

Samples

References

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