Garcia recently performed in Vista Chino with former Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork although the band broke up in 2014 after a falling out which caused Garcia to leave the band. Garcia and Bjork have since decided to continue their individual solo projects, with Garcia releasing his debut album John Garcia on July 25, 2014.
In 1989, while still in high school, Garcia formed Kyuss (originally known as Katzenjammer and Sons of Kyuss) with Brant Bjork and Josh Homme. The band produced five albums in total, all of which featured Garcia on vocals. In October 1995, just three months after releasing the album ...And the Circus Leaves Town, Kyuss disbanded. Their final official release 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 post-Kyuss project Queens of the Stone Age. Kyuss had been on an indefinite hiatus ever since. In November 2010, along with former members Oliveri and Bjork, it was announced he would be touring as Kyuss Lives!, and toured Europe, Australia and New Zealand from March to May 2011 with a new studio album expected to follow. Bruno Fevery filled in for Homme, who did not want to participate. In November 2012, following a lawsuit filed by Homme and former Kyuss bassist Scott Reeder, Kyuss Lives! changed their name to Vista Chino.
In 1996, Garcia formed stoner rock band Slo Burn in Palm Desert, California. Releasing just one EP, Amusing the Amazing, the band's tenure was short-lived, though it was embraced by the former Kyuss fanbase. A total of 9 songs were recorded, but the band did not have enough funds, so the 4 tracks were released as an EP. Bootleg copies of the album that have the remaining 5 tracks exist, unmixed, in varying quality. The band played at Ozzfest in 1997 before disbanding later that year, for reasons never officially revealed.
Upon leaving Slo Burn, Garcia formed the band Unida, which at one point included former Kyuss bassist Scott Reeder. Unida released one album, Coping with the Urban Coyote and a split EP with the Swedish group Dozer. Unida were signed to Rick Rubin's label, American Recordings, and recorded a second album, El Coyote (alternatively known as The Great Divide) which was unreleased due to company partner, Island/Def Jam, not seeing any commercial potential in the music. The band, however, distributed the album themselves, selling copies at their live shows while on tour. Unida is currently on indefinite hiatus.
In early 2010, a European tour was announced, starting with a gig at Roadburn Festival in April. Billed as "Garcia Plays Kyuss", the performances consisted entirely of songs originally recorded by Garcia's former band, Kyuss. His backing-band is composed of Belgian and Dutch musicians from Agua de Annique, Kong, Celestial Season and Arsenal. During their performance at Hellfest on June 20, John Garcia was joined on stage by former Kyuss members Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri while playing "Gardenia" and "Green Machine".
In November 2010, John Garcia formed Kyuss Lives! with Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri, and Bruno Fevery. Due to legal pressure 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 1998, he joined Hermano, a side-project created by producer Dandy Brown. The band has released four albums since 2002.
In 1999, Garcia collaborated with Swedish all-female stoner band Misdemeanor on "Love Song", the fourth track of their EP, Five Wheel Drive.
In 2001, he contributed vocals to the track The Thing That Should Not Be along with drummer Jason Bonham, bassist Jeff Pilson (Dokken,) and guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof for the Metallica tribute album Metallic Assault.
In 2002, Garcia contributed vocals to two tracks on UK band Orange Goblin's album Coup de Grace, "Made of Rats" and "Jesus Beater".
In late 2003, Garcia recorded vocals for the song "Born Too Slow" by The Crystal Method. The song became the lead single of Legion of Boom. The song did moderately well in terms of radio airplay and is highly popular among fans of The Crystal Method, particularly because of the howling vocals Garcia laid down on the track. Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland played guitar on the song. Garcia has performed the song live several times with The Crystal Method.
On December 20, 2005, Garcia would finally team up with Homme again, making a guest appearance onstage with Queens of the Stone Age during the encore of their set at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. They performed three Kyuss songs together: "Thumb", "Hurricane" and "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop". This appearance fueled Kyuss reunion rumours, though Homme has stated publicly that a proper Kyuss reunion is unlikely to ever happen.
In 2006, Garcia collaborated with Canadian band Danko Jones on their third album, Sleep Is the Enemy, contributing vocals to the track "Invisible". He would again collaborate with Danko Jones on their 2008 album Never Too Loud, appearing on the track "Forest for the Trees" along with Pete Stahl.
Garcia has worked on a solo project under the moniker "Garcia Vs Garcia", which was originally slated for a September 2008 release but has since been delayed indefinitely. In February 2014 Garcia announced in a Facebook post that he had signed a deal with Napalm Records and plans to release his solo album at the end of summer.
In 2008, John Garcia collaborated with Belgian band Arsenal on their album Lotuk, contributing lyrics and vocals to two tracks, "Not a Man" and "Diggin' a Hole". The band members of Arsenal also shot a film documenting the making of the album, including footage of Garcia driving around in his hometown.
In 2010, he also collaborated with Karma to Burn in the Two Times song which is included in the Appalachian Incantation album.
My Mind
John Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
I'm all alone, I'm all on my own
I'll be alone when the? is cooking
I'll die alone, I'll die alone
I'll die alone when the dark stops screamin'
And what I lack I tell you over and over and over
Man
What the hell are you saying?
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
What the hell are you saying?
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Oh
Who in the hell are you screaming at?
Manic man that I can't depend(?)
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
Who in the hell are you screaming at?
Made up man, there's no turning back
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
The lyrics of John Garcia's song My Mind convey a sense of isolation, frustration, and despair. The singer is being bombarded with voices or thoughts that they don't understand or can't control, and they are pleading for some peace and solitude. The repetition of the phrase "won't you leave me alone?" heightens the sense of desperation and powerlessness. The singer seems to be resigned to a solitary existence, even in the midst of activity, as they imagine being alone while cooking or dying alone when the "dark stops screamin'."
The phrase "what I need is something that's never been seen" suggests that the singer is searching for something that is beyond their current understanding or experience. They feel that they are lacking something essential, something that they can't quite articulate. The use of the word "man" at the end of this line indicates a sense of frustration or anger, directed perhaps at society or at the singer themselves. The repetition of the refrain "What the hell are you saying? Who in the hell are you talking to?" seems to be a challenge to the voices that are bothering the singer, a demand for an explanation or justification.
Overall, the lyrics of My Mind paint a bleak picture of a person struggling to cope with their own thoughts and emotions. The repetition of phrases and the sparse instrumentation contribute to a sense of claustrophobia and unease.
Line by Line Meaning
What the hell are you saying?
I do not understand what you are trying to communicate.
Who in the hell are you talking to?
To whom are you speaking? I cannot see anyone else here.
Won't you leave me alone?
Please stop bothering me and go away.
I'm all alone, I'm all on my own
I am completely solitary and have no one to rely on.
I'll be alone when the? is cooking
I will continue to be alone even when everyone else is together enjoying a meal.
I'll die alone, I'll die alone
When I pass away, there will be no one beside me.
I'll die alone when the dark stops screamin'
When I die, my conscious world will cease to exist.
Cause what I need is something that's never been seen
I require a unique solution that has not been previously implemented.
And what I lack I tell you over and over and over
I repeatedly express my deficiency in a particular area.
Man
This word does not have a significant meaning on its own, it is a filler word used for emphasis.
What the hell are you saying?
I am still unable to understand the message you are attempting to convey.
Won't you leave me alone?
I am seriously urging you to stop disturbing me and depart.
Oh
This interjection does not hold a particular purpose, it is used for emphasis or added emotion.
Who in the hell are you screaming at?
Who is the recipient of your intense vocalization?
Manic man that I can't depend(?)
You are an unpredictable, unreliable individual.
Made up man, there's no turning back
You are a figment of my imagination and I cannot change or erase you.
Won't you leave me alone?
Please stop tormenting me and exit my presence.
Won't you leave me alone?
I am ready for you to depart now.
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@orlandowild2301
What the hell are you saying?
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
I'm all alone, I'm all on my own
I'll be alone when the ? is cooking
I'll die alone, I'll die alone
I'll die alone when the dark stops screamin'
Cause what I need is something that's never been seen
And what I lack I tell you over and over and over
Man
What the hell are you saying?
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Won't you leave me alone?
What the hell are you saying?
Who in the hell are you talking to?
Won't you leave me alone?
Oh
@unlivingazra
Whole record is a treasure!!! John Garcia, Thank you so much !!!
@SleepFan771
The Stoner Rock gods shed a tear of joy on this day.
@SleepFan771
Update: I just got my pre-order today! The whole album is insane, really quality songs. It has a lot of variety.
@sydmarkyuss1066
such an incredible singer, the king of desert rock returns to claim his throne!
@killcupidband
John, your music is incredible and your hard work providing it to us is much appreciated.
@konradzola667
Great guitars, great vocals. Desert King is back!!!
@freeinformation9869
Ah...thats awesome.
I feel so privileged because I am able to digg Brant Bjork, The Low Desert Punks, Vista Chino, QOTSA, Them Crooked Vultures, John Garcia and about one thousand more bands.
... and when I really miss Kyuss? I just put on those great tunes ... I must be one of a kind.
One day, if I feel something is missing, I think I might pick up my guitar and start playing.
@akrmki3389
Garcia and friends, thanks for the awesome music!
Not a day goes by for me without Kyuss, Unida, Slo Burn etc etc!
@theGhostdancer1
SUPER!!! Thanks Desert King!
With all respect to the rest of the Kyuss members, but for me you are Kyuss.....!!!
@krsm6300
King of desert