While still in high school, Bjork got together with friends Josh Homme and John Garcia in 1987 to form a band called Katzenjammer. At Bjork's prompting, the band would soon be renamed Sons of Kyuss for a single EP, named after "The Sons of Kyuss" monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and then later shortened to Kyuss. The band relocated to Los Angeles in 1990 and signed to Chameleon Records, releasing their debut album, Wretch in September 1991. They were then picked up by the major label Elektra Records, becoming the first desert rock band to achieve international success. Bjork was a major creative force in Kyuss, contributing a substantial portion of the band's songwriting. In 1994, Bjork left the band following the release of Welcome to Sky Valley, frustrated at guitarist Homme's growing reluctance to play the songs he was contributing to the band.
After leaving Kyuss, Bjork would go on to play with several different bands, as well as founding the independent label El Camino Records (later Duna Records). Through his label, Bjork would release albums that he was musically involved in, such as hardcore punk band De-Con's 1995 album Balls for Days, on which he played drums. Bjork would also release and produce stoner rock band Solarfeast's 1995 debut Gossamer. Bjork would later go on to join former Kyuss bandmate, Josh Homme, in his Palm Desert musical collective series, The Desert Sessions. He would play a mixture of guitar, bass, drums, and percussion on various tracks on the 1997 releases Volume 1: Instrumental Driving Music For Felons and Volume 2: Status: Ships Commander Butchered, as well as 1999's Volume 5: Poetry for the Masses (SeaShedShitheadByTheSheSore) and Volume 6: Black Anvil Ego.
Bjork briefly moved to Santa Cruz to play guitar for hardcore punk band LAB in 1997 (made up of the remaining members of 80's punk band BL'AST!), playing on their 1997 release, the 7" EP "Burning Leaf/Chihuahua". He would also play guitar for Fatso Jetson during 1997–1998, including on their 1998 "Jailbreak" 7" split EP with stoner rock band Fu Manchu.
Bjork was playing with another former member of Kyuss, Nick Oliveri, in Oliveri's metal band Mondo Generator. Joining in 1997, Bjork's drumming would feature on the 2000 LP Cocaine Rodeo, and the 2003 LP A Drug Problem That Never Existed. He would tour with the band until leaving in 2004. Bjork also appeared on the live DVD, 2004's Use Once and Destroy Me, as well as later releases featuring the Bjork-era line-up, in including the 2006 7" single "I Never Sleep" and the 2008 Australian Tour EP.
Having produced their debut album No One Rides for Free in 1994, Bjork would officially join Fu Manchu with the release of their critically acclaimed 1997 album The Action Is Go. Bjork would continue to play on every Fu Manchu recording until his departure following the release of 2001's California Crossing, including the LPs Eatin' Dust and King of the Road.
Bjork began recording his first solo album, 1999's Jalamanta, in February of that year. Bjork performed all instruments, including guitar and vocals. He would also perform guitar and vocals in the short-lived stoner rock band Ché – a side-project collaboration with former Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age drummer Alfredo Hernández. Ché released their only album, Sounds of Liberation, in October 2000. Bjork's next album, 2002's Brant Bjork & the Operators, named for Bjork's fictional backing band, 'the Operators', was recorded in November 2000 with Bjork again performing vocals and most instruments. He would continue to be the sole performer, except for a few guest spots, on 2003's Keep Your Cool and 2004's Local Angel.
Bjork would form the band Brant Bjork and the Bros in 2003, featuring guitarist Mike Pygmie, bassist Dylan Roche, and drummer Michael Peffer, with Bjork performing vocals and additional guitar. They toured Europe in October 2003, performing a mixture of Bjork's solo material and Ché's Sounds of Liberation. Pygmie was replaced by Scott Cortez Silverman for further touring in Europe and North America in 2004.[5] This line-up went on to record the 2005 double album Saved by Magic. The album featured a return to the sound of Bjork's earlier sound from his Jalamanta/Sounds of Liberation era.
2006 saw the release of Sabbia, a feature film "visual soundtrack" by filmmaker Kate McCabe, featuring Bjork's music. Brant Bjork and the Bros would go on to record another album, 2007's Somera Sól, with Alfredo Hernández replacing Michael Peffer on drums. In the same year, Bjork released his fifth solo album, Tres Dias, an acoustic album featuring reinterpretations of older songs, as well as some new material. The title of the album (Three Days) comes from the purported amount of time that Bjork claimed it took to record it at producer Tony Mason's house in Joshua Tree, California.
Bjork reported in 2007 that he had ended his label, Duna Records, citing that it took too much time and energy to run. Bjork soon created a new label, Low Desert Punk Recordings, and the Duna Records website now functions as a Brant Bjork community fansite and forum.[8] The first release on the new label was Bjork's 2008 album, Punk Rock Guilt, made up of recordings from December 2005 referred to as the "New Jersey Sessions". This release was followed up with the 2010 album Gods & Goddesses. Recorded in LA in 2009, Gods & Goddesses was the first Brant Bjork solo album not to be primarily recorded by Bjork himself. Instead, Bjork recorded with a new line-up of musicians including guitarist Brandon Henderson, former Yawning Man bassist Billy Cordell, and former Mondo Generator drummer Giampaolo Farnedi.
In November 2010, it was announced that Bjork was forming Kyuss Lives! with Bruno Fevery on guitar, Nick Oliveri on bass and John Garcia on vocals. The band undertook a European, Australian and New Zealand tour from March to May 2011. On November 2012, Kyuss Lives! announced that they had changed their name to Vista Chino.
Vista Chino released their debut album Peace on September 3, 2013 through Napalm Records.
In March 2014, Bjork announced that he would tour Australia in May with his backing band, the 'Low Desert Punks', consisting of bassist Dave Dinsmore, guitarist Bubba Dupree, and Tony Tornay on drums.[10] He would later announce a New Zealand tour with dates in June.
Tao of The Devil was released in 2016.
Europe '16, a live album was released in 2017.
Mankind Woman was released in 2018.
A new solo record entitled Jacuzzi has been recorded and mixed. Jacuzzi will be an instrumental album, featuring jazz and funk influences with break beats. Originally planned for release in 2013, it has been delayed for undisclosed reasons. It was released in 2019.
Lion One
Brant Bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where it's like you're weird if you're ever acting overzealous
Inspiration finds the mind when I'm with the hanging fellas
Watching politicians speak but ain't sure of what they tell us
Talking the same shit just remixed like a capellas
Ask one to spell it but they stink so much that you can smell it
Dropping bombs like melons but
Camouflage the charade so they can sell it
I want my mind to be in that golden state when I meditate
Escape like Cinderella to be free like Mandela
Safe from the rain like an umbrella
Where sands are whiter than vanilla ice-cream
Where human beings have no need for cheese like mozzarella
I never ever let the weather man predict the weather
Coz I decide when the sun shines in my lifetime
At one with the stars in the night sky
Reshaping constellations with my fingertips
Careful when my finger slips, holding tight trying to get a grip
Of what it really is but losing consciousness like a sedative
They say life's a bitch but man it's all relative
Rappers ain't in tune now with the 5th element
Rhyming big words doesn't make you intelligent
It's bigger than that, it's got more to do with relevance
Speaking from the soul coz that's where the true essence is
Driven by my belly coz I'm hungry as hell like Makavelli
Flowing through my veins is where you'll find the evidence
Look into my eyes now where the real message is
They tried to weigh my heart but it defies all measurements
I figure its divine intervention being prevalent
So when I speak it's like an act of paying reverence
Them preachers can block you from what the true vision is
So I close my eyes to understand what religion is
Studying the world's lessons whenever I reminisce
Must time the strike right coz chances are hit and miss
I'm careful of temptation when I see her lick her lips
Coz those at the top fall the hardest like Icarus
Rhyming to the rhythm is the tool of a lyricist
So I speak till I can't breathe like a broke a rib
Now it's time to finish this, L-FRESH the name
Ain't a postman but just put my stamp on the game
In his song "Lion One," Brant Bjork discusses the world we live in, where people are not afraid to be jealous, and one is considered weird if they are ever acting overzealous. The inspiration finds his mind when he is with the hanging fellas, but he watches politicians speak without being sure of what they are telling us. The politicians are talking the same thing over and over again just remixed like a capella. Brant Bjork wants his mind to be in a golden state when he meditates, escaping just like Cinderella to be free like Mandela, safe from the rain like an umbrella. He speaks of a world where human beings have no need for cheese like mozzarella, and he never ever lets the weatherman predict the weather because he decides when the sun shines in his lifetime. He is at one with the stars in the night sky and is continually reshaping constellations with his fingertips. In other words, he is trying to find his purpose in the world, a world where religion, politics, and society create chaos around us. Still, he aims to remain steadfast in his beliefs and his destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the world where people ain't afraid to be jealous
This is a place where jealousy is common and socially acceptable.
Where it's like you're weird if you're ever acting overzealous
People here don't appreciate those who are overly enthusiastic or passionate.
Inspiration finds the mind when I'm with the hanging fellas
The singer feels inspired when he's with his friends.
Watching politicians speak but ain't sure of what they tell us
Politicians are often unclear or deceptive in their speeches.
Talking the same shit just remixed like a capellas
People are repeating the same ideas, just with different phrasing.
Ask one to spell it but they stink so much that you can smell it
People are not articulate or intelligent enough to express their thoughts effectively.
Dropping bombs like melons but
They are making bold statements or decisions.
Camouflage the charade so they can sell it
They hide their true intentions so that their actions will be more appealing to others.
Damn shit's a menace just like Dennis
The situation is problematic or destructive, like the character Dennis from the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
I want my mind to be in that golden state when I meditate
The artist desires a calm and focused mind.
Escape like Cinderella to be free like Mandela
The singer wants to escape from oppressive conditions, like Cinderella, and be free like Nelson Mandela.
Safe from the rain like an umbrella
The artist wants to be protected from negative influences or circumstances.
Where sands are whiter than vanilla ice-cream
The environment is pristine and beautiful.
Where human beings have no need for cheese like mozzarella
The people here have no unnecessary wants or desires.
I never ever let the weather man predict the weather
The singer doesn't allow others to control his life or decisions.
Coz I decide when the sun shines in my lifetime
The artist has control over his own life and happiness.
At one with the stars in the night sky
The artist feels connected to the universe and everything in it.
Reshaping constellations with my fingertips
The singer feels a sense of power or control over his surroundings.
Careful when my finger slips, holding tight trying to get a grip
The singer is cautious and careful in his actions.
Of what it really is but losing consciousness like a sedative
The artist is struggling to understand reality and may feel numb or distant from it.
They say life's a bitch but man it's all relative
The artist believes that life is what you make of it and that perspective is everything.
Rappers ain't in tune now with the 5th element
Modern rappers have lost touch with the true essence and meaning of hip-hop.
Rhyming big words doesn't make you intelligent
Using complex vocabulary does not make someone smart or insightful.
It's bigger than that, it's got more to do with relevance
The true value of music and art lies in its ability to connect with people and be relevant to their lives.
Speaking from the soul coz that's where the true essence is
True expression and creativity comes from within, from one's soul or spirit.
Driven by my belly coz I'm hungry as hell like Makavelli
The singer is pursuing his goals and dreams with passion and determination, like Tupac Shakur (Makavelli).
Flowing through my veins is where you'll find the evidence
The singer's true identity or essence can be found within him, not in external factors or labels.
Look into my eyes now where the real message is
The artist's true intentions and feelings can be seen in his eyes.
They tried to weigh my heart but it defies all measurements
The artist is more than just his physical body; his heart and soul cannot be measured or quantified.
I figure its divine intervention being prevalent
The singer believes that there are forces beyond his control at work in his life.
So when I speak it's like an act of paying reverence
The act of speaking or creating is a form of worship or tribute to a higher power or purpose.
Them preachers can block you from what the true vision is
Religious leaders or authorities can prevent people from seeing the truth or following their own path.
So I close my eyes to understand what religion is
The artist seeks his own understanding of spirituality and faith, rather than relying on external sources.
Studying the world's lessons whenever I reminisce
The artist learns from his past experiences and those of others in order to grow and develop.
Must time the strike right coz chances are hit and miss
Success or opportunity requires careful timing and planning; it may not always be available or predictable.
I'm careful of temptation when I see her lick her lips
The artist is aware of the seductive power of temptation and tries to avoid it.
Coz those at the top fall the hardest like Icarus
Success or ambition can be dangerous or harmful if taken too far, as shown by the myth of Icarus.
Rhyming to the rhythm is the tool of a lyricist
Rhyme and rhythm are essential elements of poetry and songwriting.
So I speak till I can't breathe like a broke a rib
The singer is so dedicated to his craft that he will continue to create until he physically can't anymore.
Now it's time to finish this, L-FRESH the name
The artist is concluding his work and introducing himself as L-FRESH.
Ain't a postman but just put my stamp on the game
The artist has made his mark on the music industry or hip-hop culture.
Writer(s): brant bjork
Contributed by Liam O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sanjaykale6235
Amazing groove..10 minutes flew away...
@adeliahogarth4622
Masterpiece.
@martianart9704
such a powerful song BB! goosebumps!
@kjgray7771
I got goosebumps bumping this. Too many chiefs lead me to this. I showed my boss and she loves them we have a good relationship where we show each other rad music so I'm glad I found this!
@tommy5675
Perfect for a Wake and Bake kind of day. Love your work BB......it's time for me to get toasted, Nicely toasted
@coryfusting9294
Punk Rock Guilt might be my second favorite BB, right behind Jalamanta. Masterpiece.
@losnat
This totally fuckin rad and long jam just begs to be played live. For the life of me I can't figure out why it hasn't been played once.
@sanjaykale6235
Not even once..beats me
@danielklaffke3854
Amazing
@peterkufner6148
Super. Danke