Kyuss/QOTSA/Unida/Hermano/Che/Desert Sessions/Brant Bjork (and any other Kyuss spin-off + Stoner Rock in general) Search & Destroy , Classic Or Dud?

(how i'd love to see The Wire cover the more experimental acts in this genre) They like Comets On Fire don't they?

Sacrificed in futile attempt to broaden appeal. Now solely reliant
on front-end modern Marshall crunch.

Not heard the live album, any good?

The Fake Glee of Thousands.

Acrimony "Tumuli Shroomaroom"

Honourable mentions to The Groundhogs, Blue Cheer ,Saint Vitus/Obsessed/Wino.

The saga of Sleep's Dopesmoker was already almost ten years in the making by the time of its belated release in 2003. Originally slated to follow closely behind their second album of a decade earlier, the landmark Sleep's Holy Mountain, it lingered in unreleased limbo instead — the subject of a vicious legal dispute between the Northern California trio and their record company, London, which refused to release Dopesmoker as delivered by the band — that is, a single, 60-minute-long song! The impasse eventually led to the stubborn band's ignominious dissolution circa 1997 rather than conform to the label's demands, leaving fans waiting for an album that most assumed would never be heard. But come 1999, an incomplete, disjointed version of the recordings was cobbled together and released by Rise Above Records with the title Jerusalem. Unfortunately, this version sounded oddly ragged in places, with senseless digital song divisions and an abrupt, obviously chopped-off ending; so for all intents and purposes, the ideal work as envisioned by Sleep clearly remained unrealized. Thankfully, all these glitches were finally corrected for the definitive, band-sanctioned 2003 edition of Dopesmoker, which bears a top-notch production job courtesy of Billy Anderson (Helios Creed, Natas, etc.) to boot. Revealed here at last, in all of its colossal glory, Dopesmoker is at once an instant doom metal classic — some might even say a masterpiece — as well as an impossibly dense, nearly impenetrable listening experience for unprepared fans (just to give you an idea, the first vocals only arrive 16 minutes in). Meticulously composed in the style of Gregorian chants as interpreted through the ears of Black Sabbath, "Dopesmoker" esoterically describes — get this — the "Weedian" people's pilgrimage to the "riff-filled land." But lyrics aside — and there are precious few here to justify stressing over them — what skeptical listeners must take into account here is that "Dopesmoker" is in fact a single song, not a series of song snippets stitched together progressive rock style. As such, this initially daunting edifice of snarling riffage requires quite a bit more patience and dedicated sampling before its secrets are unlocked and its riddles unraveled, but therein lies the crux of what is ultimately a very rewarding experience. And for Jerusalem owners still reticent to part with their hard-earned cash for this new and improved edition, Tee Pee Records has added a bonus treat in the form of a live recording of unreleased track "Sonic Titan."

Almost got a chance once or twice because the buzz actually did begin pretty early, but it never came together. Ah well, I can pretend. ;-)

i have unida's _coping with the urban coyote_ - i didn't really like it at first (sounded like a more straightforward kyuss) but lately i've really been feeling it (because it sounds like a more straightforward kyuss!). search: "black woman."

Stoner rock is a nonsensical term for half the stuff we're talking about anyway. Nebula, Fu Manchu and Unida is fuckin' drinkin' music innit. (This is not a criticism)

Although I haven't seen them listed with bands in this thread, I think Dead Meadow definitely has a similar kind of sound.

The first track (of three) on the last Sunn0))) album has Julian noncing on about Saxons and Vikings and valleys and that. It's ace.

The new Nebula album is kinda water-treading, to my ear. And the best thing about Fu Manchu is their cover of Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla," which is on the new live album, but not worth buying it for.

Hawkwind!
and Elevator [AKA: Elevator To Hell, Elevator Through Hell, Elevator Through]! Screw this Queens of the Stone Age stuff.

Although I did get a Blue Cheer Live In Japan 1999 album in the post yesterday and was surprised and impressed by how much those hoary he-whores cracked their fucking amps. It's nice to discoverr things like that. I might even go and see them when they play round these parts...

Listening to Electric Wizard's Dopethrone as I type this.

Yeah, I saw 'em with Josh too. The Dust tour I think it was?

The Masters of Reality were indeed a fantastic band. They probably haven't been mentioned because all the "stoner" hepcats were too young when they were around.

Is Soundgarden stoner rock, because they would be one of the best if they qualify...

Once again, nobody has mentioned High on Fire on this thread though. So there they are. Mentioned.

Matt, I smoked a lot of pot to Ultramega OK and especially Louder Than Love in high school, so I would say YES Soundgarden qualified. Hell, they got vilified at the time for being lame 70s "revivalists", so at the very least they ought to be able to claim some kind of first-mover status (but not "Prime Mover" - that would be Zodiac Mindwarp and they sucked).

I don't know, I like Kyuss but I was never overly impressed with them. They had a great rhythmic push, I like their records, I'm just as likely to play them these days as any other heavy band .. and sure that's enough to make quite valuable in my book .. but they didn't seem to be doing too much that wasn't already being done by some of the best Sub Pop type bands from years earlier, or by their contemporaries, Monster Magnet (whose best records I like much better - much more imaginative). But for whatever reason, Kyuss seems to be the band that many love and continue to cite.

Fu Manchu seemed to be the worst of them all though. There's just nothing memorable or distinctive there at all. I'm not sure what I'm missing. I'm open to the possibility that I just haven't heard their best stuff.

1) Kyuss - 50 Million Year Trip
2) Kyuss - Supa Scoopa & Mighty Scoop

I have a cdr* of the unreleased 2nd Unida album and also a bootleg vinyl of it that thankfully sounds better than the shoddy sounding cdr.

*Officially sold by Hermano on their euro tour a few years back, my mate got me one.

am i stupid for passing up the unida/dozer split for $5?

fuck yes

On a related topic, I never liked Monster Magnet's Spine of God til I got it on vinyl last year. Now I fucking love it.

Maybe my Kyuss phase is ahead of me.

:)

Anyone heard the live Hermano lp that's out?

shit, i'm amazed i never wrote anything in this thread. but kyuss obviously gets a massive nod from me

um, is that 'live at w2'? i heard that at my friend's place once. pretty good

I'm not sure. I saw it on ATH as Hermano Live. I assumed it was a different album from the one on the spanish label I think it was.

They must have sold it already as I cant find it on there now. I saw it last week!

this thread has some good stuff on it

'live at w2' must be a couple of years old now. has an amusing cover of 'tnt' on it

Brant Bjork - Jalamanta 10th anniversary lp is out.

I was just talking about qotsa/kyuss/desert stoner rock phenomena with a friend the other day. we both grew up in the desert and were friends with Alfredo H. and Scott Reeder. i liked their high school-era punk band Dead Issue, but neither me or my friend gets why there is so much love for just being "heavy". when i ask people why they like "heavy" i get no real answers;and i've never picked up on any great songs when i've heard kyuss. anyway, Scott is a great musician, and so is Alfredo. otherwise it's just a big "neither" classic nor dud to me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWI-yV7TUY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_t2gE1EsKU

New Brant Bjork is pretty good.

Maybe there is hope for an American tour after all.

Three-quarters of KYUSS — the influential American stoner rock/metal band, originally from Palm Desert, California — will embark on Australian tour next May under the moniker KYUSS LIVES! Bassist Nick Olivieri, drummer Brant Bjork and singer John Garcia will be joined by guitarist Bruno Fevery, who most recently played with Garcia in the GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS project.

The dates are as follows:

May 04 - Gold Coast - Coolangatta Hotel (18+)
May 06 - Brisbane - The Tivoli (18+)
May 07 - Sydney - Metro Theatre (Lic A/A)
May 08 - Melbourne - Billboard (18+)
May 10 - Adelaide - Fowlers (Lic A/A)
May 11 - Perth - Capitol (18+)

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, November 25 at 9:00 a.m.

A European tour will take place in March/April.

Olivieri, Bjork and Garcia last played together when they reunited this past June for an appearance at the Hellfest, which took place in Clisson, France. Nick and Brant joined John on stage to perform the songs "Gardenia" and "Green Machine" during a headlining appearance by Garcia`s GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS project. Video footage of that performance can be viewed below.

Commented Garcia: "You know, the whole reason I ever considered doing this with Brant and Nick was the feeling we all shared during Hellfest this year. To be able to play with such amazing musicians again is a dream come true for me. This will also be a huge chance for me to let everyone know about GARCIA VS GARCIA which should be coming out fall of next year."

Since KYUSS, Garcia`s musical projects include SLOBURN, UNIDA and John`s most recent band HERMANO, plus side projects with THE CRYSTAL METHOD, DANKO JONES and countless others who embraced the singer from the Southern California desert.

KYUSS, the inventors of Desert Rock, have been in the last ten years much more popular than when they were still around in the early Nineties. So, due to massive public demand over the years to play songs from his old cult band KYUSS, John finally made the decision to give the fans what they want.

The last couple of years John Garcia thought often about reviving his KYUSS legacy on stage. The more he thought about it, the more he really wanted to do this. John commented: "I don`t want to do this just for myself, but especially for the fans. Both for the ones that have seen KYUSS live back in the days, and especially for the ones who haven`t had that chance. This could be as close as they could get to the real thing. Please bear in mind that this could be a one-off unique opportunity!"

John Garcia (born in San Manuel, Arizona, September 4, 1970) is a vocalist who has been a member of KYUSS, SLO BURN, UNIDA and HERMANO. His vocals have become synonymous with modern stoner rock and the desert rock sound. While still in high school, Garcia help start KYUSS (originally known as SONS OF KYUSS) in 1989 with guitarist Josh Homme. The band produced five albums in total, all of which featured Garcia on vocals.

In October 1995, just three months after releasing what could be argued as their breakthrough album "...And The Circus Leaves Town" (thanks to MTV airplay), KYUSS broke up. Their last recording was a 10" vinyl on the now-defunct label Man`s Ruin Records, which was later re-released on a split CD with Homme`s QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. The band has been on an indefinite hiatus ever since and has reached a legendary status, influencing thousands of new young rock bands.

1st Qotsa lp is being reissued and Qotsa are to tour playing the entire album + other material recorded then.

Lots of Ode to Clarissa first-encores!

(Joeks; this is awesome news!)

surprised ATP didn't hook up w/ QOTSA in recent years for this, i guess maybe they are not "ATP enough" though?

They play Chicago the night before I return from a vacation, argh! It's everyone's duty to see them for me and report back here.

Anyway, I'm just immersed in that scene. I've kinda seen it all. And I've seen a lot of bands that are more worthy of that adoration.

This is an old comment from Nate, though he posted more recently on another thread about seeing them in '92 "*yawn*". After digging deep listening and researching for my updated <a href=http://www.fastnbulbous.com/stoner-rock.htm>;stoner rock piece</a>, I found it amazing what a massive influence Kyuss is worldwide -- and it didn't take long to spread. Bands were way into them in South America and Europe in the mid-90s before the band had broken up. They definitely had found a unique sound that resonated with people.

So not to pigpile on Nate (he's not the only person deep in the rock scene who doesn't like 'em), I'm just curious if it was just a case of you simply not clicking with their style? Or can you name the bands "more worthy of that adoration" that all these Kyuss-worshiping bands around the world could/should have been inspired by instead?

Anyway, I'm just immersed in that scene. I've kinda seen it all. And I've seen a lot of bands that are more worthy of that adoration.

This is an old comment from Nate, though he posted more recently on another thread about seeing them in '92 "*yawn*". After digging deep listening and researching for my updated stoner rock piece, I found it amazing what a massive influence Kyuss is worldwide -- and it didn't take long to spread. Bands were way into them in South America and Europe in the mid-90s before the band had broken up. They definitely had found a unique sound that resonated with people.

So not to pigpile on Nate (he's not the only person deep in the rock scene who doesn't like 'em), I'm just curious if it was just a case of you simply not clicking with their style? Or can you name the bands "more worthy of that adoration" that all these Kyuss-worshiping bands around the world could/should have been inspired by instead?

nate is just being elitist tbh

Wonder what the chances are of Unida reforming. That 1st album is so great Been listening to it again. Memories of a great gig in 99 i think it was?

http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2012/03/josh-homme-scott-reeder-file-suit-over-kyuss-name-read-their-statement/

Earlier tonight, we received the unfortunate news that the delicate balance that allowed Kyuss Lives! to exist and tour without founding member Joshua Homme has begun to unravel.

We’ve learned that underhanded business tactics may have taken place in order to secure rights over the original Kyuss name – the legendary Rock band that consisted of Homme, Brant Bjork and John Garcia, and later Nick Oliveri, Scott Reeder, Alfredo Hernández and others during its existence between 1988 and ‘95. Within the past several months, while amicable meetings were taking place concerning the future of Kyuss Lives!, steps were allegedly being taken to establish ownership over the Kyuss name, something which Homme & Reeder were entirely unaware of.

The band Kyuss Lives! has been touring for the past year, playing original Kyuss songs without Homme & Reeder (though Scott joined the band on select 2011 dates). To fans’ delight, Homme & Reeder had consistently wished the members of Kyuss Lives! well, and their business arrangements had been seemingly productive. The idea of a new studio record was on fans’ minds, but seemed a nonstarter idea for a band using an altered name, only touring on older material. However it appears as if steps were being taken by the newer incarnation of the band to capitalize further, which ultimately has undermined the arrangement between friends that had allowed Kyuss Lives! to operate.

A statement from Scott Reeder and Homme:

Kyuss partnership members Scott Reeder and Joshua Homme have regretfully had to file a federal lawsuit against John Garcia and Brant Bjork AKA Kyuss Lives! The suit alleges trademark infringement, misrepresentation, false designation, etc.

“It sucks. To think we went to a meeting in January solely to help them with their request to continue Kyuss Lives! With open arms, we made every attempt to help them continue Kyuss Lives! respectfully. Only to discover while they looked us in the eye, Kyuss Lives! management and band had filed federal documents in 2011 in an attempt to steal the name Kyuss.”

This is desperately what we were trying to avoid. It’s a sad day for us and for John - but most of all for the fans. What a needless mess.

It’s undoubtedly difficult on any side of the equation to envision John Garcia scheming to pull a bad one over on his old bandmate. As fans, we can only hope that it was the business people behind the sleight of hand. Either way, it appears that this will play out in a courthouse now between sharks in suits, rather than old friends with heartfelt intent.

Hmm, wondering how much of this is true. I thought it was pretty cool of Homme to have blessed this endeavor, but maybe not so much.

well maybe he did until they tried to shaft him?

fuck knows who is telling the truth

i dunno Homme but friends of mine certainly do and have never said anything bad about the guy. Hung out with Scott quite a bit in high school and he was ALWAYS as much of a cool guy as he was a super multi-instrumentalist. don't know john afaik

anyone who knows those 3 say they are super cool, esp scotty.

been rocking out with my cock out to Into The Void a lot today.. QOTSA EP is pretty stunning, but Sky Valley is near enough to being the best rock album ever

KYUSS LIVES! Issues Statement in Response to Josh Homme Lawsuit

Legendary California rock band KYUSS LIVES! -- featuring original KYUSS members John Garcia, Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork along with guitarist Bruno Fevery -- has issued a statement in response to the lawsuit filed by former band member Josh Homme over the use of the KYUSS name.

"We are both shocked and saddened that our friend and one time band mate has chosen to file a lawsuit against us, especially after having positive discussions since our reformation," said John Garcia and Brant Bjork. "We look forward to resolving this private matter behind closed doors and moving forward with work on our new album and connecting with our amazing, loyal fans."

notice no denial of what they've been accused of...

filed federal documents in 2011 in an attempt to steal the name Kyuss.

This is the dorky thing though. Josh Homme, you make major rock money with Dave Grohl and shit. Let your former bandmates be Kyuss.

Sorry, did I say Dave Grohl? I meant John Paul Jones.

i thought i would post this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNz3bMamt5s

Yeah, I'd hope Homme with all his success would be more charitable about his old mates using the name and just making a damn living. I don't understand what the problem is. He wants a cut of their gig money? Make sure he profits from possible reissues of the material? I'd think they'd do whatever it took to keep everyone happy. Seems to me it's the suits - PR folks and lawyers just pushing the buttons to get them to issue these statements for some b.s strategic reasons. Lame.

Their response today:

“We are both shocked and saddened that our friend and one time band mate has chosen to file a lawsuit against us, especially after having positive discussions since our reformation,” said John Garcia and Brant Bjork. ”We look forward to resolving this private matter behind closed doors and moving forward with work on our new album and connecting with our amazing, loyal fans.”

but afaict he HAS been "letting them be Kyuss" with no fuss and much love. issue is legal: the trademark KYUSS was granted by the USPTO in 2005 to a partnership including John Garcia, Joshua Homme, Scott Reeder, and Alfredo Hernandez.

based on public USPTO records, on September 9, 2011, counsel for Kyuss Lives! filed for trademark on both KYUSS LIVES! (fair play, maybe) and KYUSS (hmmm).

imo this is a custody battle. no matter how much success you have, it's fair to not want a thing you helped bring into the world legally made someone else's property without warning.

yeah josh is not to be blamed for this. The members of kyuss lives have been two-faced and tried to screw him and scotty over.

agree w roger and AG. it looks like the problem was that the kyuss lives! guys tried to make a legal grab for full ownership of the kyuss name. don't think that homme was at all out of line in objecting to that.

Fair enough.

What should you listen to if you want to listen to Kyuss but hate the vocals?

"Funny" responses are fine but you can answer normally if you like too

Lowrider, early Acrimony, Los Natas, and Mammoth Volume, Dozer, Truckfighters, Colour Haze, Sungrazer, The Machine.

http://www.thesleepingshaman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Vista-Chino-Peace-Artwork.jpg

VISTA CHINO, the group comprised of two founding members of the legendary rock band KYUSS — Brant Bjork and John Garcia — and guitarist Bruno Fevery, will release its debut album, “Peace“, in the early fall via Napalm Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by the renowned California art collective The Date Farmers.

Commented Bjork: “The Date Farmers are native to the desert where we are from. It is an honor to work together with such prolific artists!”

“Dargona, Dragona“, the first song from VISTA CHINO‘s highly anticipated first full-length album, is available for streaming at THIS LOCATION.

VISTA CHINO‘s first North American performance will take place at this year’s Orion Music + More festival — curated by METALLICA — in Detroit, Michhigan. VISTA CHINO will play on Sunday, June 9 on the “Frantic Stage.” A full North American tour will be announced shortly.

The final live appearances of KYUSS LIVES! — featuring the same lineup as VISTA CHINO — took place in early 2013 as part of Australia’s Soundwave Festival.

KYUSS LIVES! decided to change its name after a lawsuit launched by former KYUSS members Josh Homme and Scott Reeder prevented KYUSS LIVES! from recording and releasing any new material.

Commented Garcia: “KYUSS LIVES! is now VISTA CHINO!…it feels great just to write that….and to say it out loud, feels even better. Now that our relationship with Napalm Records is official; it’s time to forget about the past year, move forward, and execute our original plan, which was to make kick-ass music and tour the world!”

Speaking to Music Feeds, Brant was asked whether there was a slight sense of relief that the legal dispute over the KYUSS name is over. “Absolutely,” he replied. “There’s always relief when conflict is resolved and people can just let go and move forward. That’s where we’re at and we feel great. It’s always unfortunate to experience differences with specific people, but we feel great as a band. We’re really, really excited to move forward into the future and focus on what it is that we do, which is play music.”

Regarding whether the change of band’s name to VISTA CHINO would have happened had it not been for the lawsuit, Brant said: “That’s a good question. The answer to that question is: I don’t know. Possibly. We didn’t really think about it. We were really just looking at what was in front of us and making our decisions based on what our present situation was. But now we just came to a point where we felt that changing the name was appropriate and was the fastest way for us to get back to playing music.”

Brant Bjork interview:

Vista Chino was actually going to be the name of our new record when we were Kyuss Lives, and so when it was time to change the name of the band, we just used that as the name of the band. Vista Chino is just the name of a street out in the desert where we’re from. We just identify as a landmark where we’re from.

Goatess!

http://www.thesleepingshaman.com/reviews/album-reviews/g/goatess-st-cd-lp-dd-2013/

Also, more alone the lines of early QOTSA, Gozu.

http://gozu.bandcamp.com/
http://smallstone.bandcamp.com/album/the-fury-of-a-patient-man

My Goatess review: http://fastnbulbous.com/goatess-goatess/

I'll be buying tickets to Vista Chino show for Sep 19 on Saturday. They're playing a block from my home!

Vista Chino the band formed by John Garcia and Brant Bjork (formerly of Kyuss) are gearing up for the release 'Peace'. The album will be released September 3rd in North America via Napalm Records. Following their much heralded debut North American performance as Vista Chino at the Orion Music + More Festival, the band have confirmed a North American headline tour in support of 'Peace'. Support on the tour will come from the Portland Oregon rock outfit known as Black Pussy. The tour kicks off September 6th in Calgary, Alberta and runs through September 28th in Columbus, Ohio.

Drummer Brant Bjork cannot wait to showcase the new music for the fans: "Vista Chino is super excited to bring the fresh VC rock to the American fans. We'll be rocking songs from our new Vista Chino record 'Peace' along with some Kyuss classics and the legendary Mike Dean from COC will be bringing the electric bass... so, be there or be square."

Black Pussy dedicated last year's album, On Blonde to Brant Bjork. - http://blackpussy.bandcamp.com/album/on-blonde

QOTSA tix for Metro show on 8/1 sold out in less than 30 seconds. Strange, as it should take at least 2 minutes to complete a check-out. I guess the days of being able to see that band in a smallish venue are over. Vista Chino should make up for it though!

Not surprised it sold out fast, that albums been getting lots of buzz, deservedly so. But 30 seconds for Metro seems crazy. But hell, it doesn't get any better at huge shows either. Pearl Jam at Wrigley, for example, was gone in less than 10 seconds.

Saw the show last night. hey sounded awesome, though it was so loud my ears were ringing despite wearing earplugs! Garcia shed some extra pounds while workin hard with the band the past couple years and they were tight! Mike Dean (of Corrosion of Conformity) was awesome on the bass (often playing perfectly with his eyes closed), Brant Bjork looked like he jumped right out of a Cheech & Chong movie with his 'stache and bandana, and Bruno is indeed a badass guitar player. They played a perfect mix of new songs and Kyuss songs. Catch this tour!

Here's what Scott Reeder is up to:

FU MANCHU, Ex-KYUSS Members Join Forces In SUN & SAIL CLUB
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/fun-manchu-ex-kyuss-members-join-forces-in-sun-sail-club/#xYkkkVVhCed61CoV.99

So I just learned last night that Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri have a new power trio with drummer Ryan Gut (who has played with Bjork's solo band) named, of course, Stöner. So far they just have an entry in the Live in the Mojave Desert series (haven't heard it, released 6/11), but they apparently have a debut from Heavy Psych Sounds coming later this year too. Cautiously optimistic, I've dug some of Bjork's solo stuff and the Vista Chino thing.

https://giantrockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/st-ner-live-in-the-mojave-desert-volume-4-3

Said Stoner trio mentioned in my last post from three years ago just released a new live album, Hittin' the Bitchin' Switch and it's a pretty good dose of old-school desert fuzz stoner rock if that's your thing. They even take on a couple of Kyuss tunes ("Gardenia" and "Green Machine").