Kyuss

Kyuss (pronounce: KIGH-us; original name was Sons of Kyuss until the release of their first album) 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. Josh Homme is well known for playing electric guitars through bass guitar amplifiers to create a deeper sound. The band's original name, Sons of Kyuss, was taken from the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons. Sons Of Kyuss released the now-rare EP Sons of Kyuss, (with Chris Cockrell on bass) locally in 1990, before the group's name was shortened to Kyuss. This lineup -- with new bassist Nick Oliveri -- 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.

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Kyuss were fortunate that friends Nirvana and especially fan and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl were keen to see them achieve success, and managed to get them a spot on tour with Metallica in 1993.

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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.

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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.

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Stoner rock: Stoner rock and stoner metal are interchangeable terms describing sub-genres of rock and heavy metal music. It combines elements of psychedelic rock, blues-rock and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features low-tuned guitars, a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' ...

Palm Desert, California: Palm Desert is a city located in Riverside County, California, in the Palm Springs area, approximately 11 miles east of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 41,155....

1990: :For information on the number, see 1990 (number)....