Kyuss

Kyuss (pronounce: KAI-us) was an influential stoner rock band, originally from Palm Desert, California. The group formed in 1989, consisting of John Garcia (vocals), Josh Homme (guitar), Nick Oliveri (bass guitar) and Brant Bjork (drums), performing all around southern California, frequently at parties in the desert. The group 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's last new release as 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 Muchos Gracias was also released.

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 Oliveri joined up again to form Queens Of The Stone Age with Hernandez, while Garcia has had several post-Kyuss projects, inlcuding Unida and Slo Burn.