Kyuss
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Kyuss.jpg
From left to right: Scott Reeder, Alfredo Hernandez, John Garcia, Josh Homme.
Kyuss (pronounce: KIGH-us) (original name was Sons of Kyuss until their forming date) was an influential stoner rock band, originally from Palm Desert, California. The group formed in 1990, consisting of John Garcia (vocals), Joshua Homme (guitar), Nick Oliveri (bass guitar) and Brant Bjork (drums), performing all around southern California, frequently at parties in the desert, referred to as "generator parties" because of the use of gasoline-powered generators to provide electricity for the equipment. The band was originally called the Sons of Kyuss (with Chris Cockrell on bass), and released the now-rare album Sons of Kyuss locally in 1990, before the group's name was shortened to Kyuss. Kyuss released their debut album, Wretch in 1991 on Dali Records, but sales were sluggish even as their live shows gained fame. Chris Goss produced their next album, the landmark Blues for the Red Sun, a critically hailed album that earned the band many accolades.
Kyuss were fortunate that friends Nirvana and especially Dave Grohl were keen to see them achieve success, and managed to get them a spot on tour with Metallica in 1993.
Oliveri left (and was replaced by Scott Reeder) just as the group signed to Elektra Records and released Welcome to Sky Valley (1994), another acclaimed album. Personal problems soon tore the group apart and Bjork left following a tour, replaced by Alfredo Hernandez. In 1995 they released ...And the Circus Leaves Town. Finally, Kyuss dissolved. Homme and Hernandez joined up again to form Queens Of The Stone Age (later recruiting Oliveri for bass duties), while Garcia has had several post-Kyuss projects, including Unida, Hermano and Slo Burn. Hernandez later played with Fatso Jetson and Yawning Man. Cockrell later fronted Vic du Monte's Idiot Prayer.
Kyuss's last new release was in 1997, a split EP featuring 3 Kyuss songs and 3 Queens Of The Stone Age songs. Several years later, a "Best Of" recording called Muchas Gracias was also released.
Discography
- Sons of Kyuss (1990)
- Wretch (1991)
- Blues for the Red Sun (1992)
- (Welcome to) Sky Valley (1994)
- ...And the Circus Leaves Town (1995, final album before disbanding in 3 months later)
- Split (1997, with Queens of the Stone Age)
- Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss (2000, compilation)