The band was originally formed in 1989 in Palm Desert, California under the name "Sons of Kyuss". They took the name from a monster in Dungeons and Dragons. Shortly after the release of their self-titled EP, the name was shortened to just Kyuss.
The quartet gained popularity around the desert due to their famous generator parties. These were parties fueled by gas generators in the canyons and isolated desert surrounding the small valley towns.
The group disbanded in 1997. They felt that they were in a decline and felt it best to call it quits before it escalated into something that could not be fixed. The line up had shifted dramatically between 1989 and 1997. Josh Homme, John Garcia, Brant Bjork, and Chris Cockrell were the original members. Chris was replaced by Nick Oliveri during high school. That line up recorded Wretch (released in 1991) and Blues for the Red Sun (released in 1992), after which Nick soon left. The eighteen year older, but very able Scott Reeder from The Obsessed was brought in. This line up recorded the famous self-titled album Kyuss (released in 1994; due to the album front cover often referred to as "Welcome to Sky Valley", a small town outside of Palm Desert — wrongly labelled by many). Brank Bjork left after this due to personal reasons. Alfredo Hernandez was brought in. The final line-up recorded ...And the Circus Leaves Town (released in 1995). The band toured and soon disbanded. With the compilation Muchas Gracias: The best of Kyuss, one final greatest hits CD was released in 2000.
All band members still influence the genre they helped to create. The most notable is Queens of the Stone Age. Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, and Alfredo Hernandez started this up after Josh had experimented with his famous Desert Sessions.
John Garcia took a path geared more towards traditional rock. He opened with Slo Burn. It was a harder Kyuss, and still played in drop C. That project did not last for over a year, although one EP was released. Following Slo Burn came Unida. This band was steered toward rock n' roll and away from the stoner rock genre. John has most recently been involved with the band Hermano. Many consider this the greatest post-Kyuss project. In 2010 a Garcia Plays Kyuss gig at Roadburn Festival (Netherlands), to be followed by a proper European tour, was announced. The line-up of this band includes (former) members of Agua de Annique, Celestial Season, Kong and Arsenal.
Nick Oliveri also has created waves in the music world. Apart from playing for years in Queens of the Stone Age he has played on and off in The Dwarves. He is most known for his side project, which has become his full-time band, Mondo Generator.
Scott Reeder pursued a career of producing mainly (most notably Orange Goblin's Coup de Grace). In 2006, he released a solo album called Tunnelvision Brilliance. He also played in Unida for a little bit.
Brant Bjork has the most stable musical career of them all. He turned down playing with Queens of the Stone Age to pursue a journey with his surfing buddies, Fu Manchu. He left after making numerous records with them to focus on his already blossoming solo career, playing the guitar instead of drums. He has worked with many people since, releasing records with Ché, touring as Brant Bjork and the Bros, and occasionally playing drums as well. Brant Bjork also played on some Desert Sessions.
Los Angeles based drummer Gene Trautmann played for a brief period between Brant Bjork and Alfredo Hernandez.
Alfredo Hernandez has guest starred on too many CDs and bands to count including Yawning Man, Orquestra Del Desierto, Fatso Jetson, and many others. He also played in a local band located in Palm Desert and is the drummer of Brant Bjork and the Bros.
A big influence on the sound of Kyuss was Chris Goss (frontman of Masters of Reality), who produced Blues for the Red Sun, and everything that followed.
Although Queens of the Stone Age has been, and continues to be, a great deal more popular than Kyuss or any of its offshoots for many Kyuss is considered far superior than anything the disbanded members created afterward.
A lot of bands have been inspired by Kyuss, including Electric Wizard, Monster Magnet, Orange Goblin, Beaver, Dozer, Los Natas, Truckfighters, Acid King, Fu Manchu, Clutch, Pelican, Torche.
For 2011 touring line-up, see Kyuss Lives!.
50 Million Year Trip
Kyuss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am rolling (you can't stop me)
I am hiding
I am running (you can't stop me)
But I'll never forget you (anyway)
But I'll never forget you (anyway)
But I'll never forget you (anyway)
I am drinking
I am rolling (you can't stop me)
I am running
I am rolling (you can't stop me)
But I'll never forget you anyway
But I'll never forget you anyway
But I'll never forget you anyway
But I'll never forget you
See our family to realize
As it's running down today
I love the city love the day
No fool for you
In this I am
I'm never gonna run about
The lyrics to Kyuss's song "50 Million Year Trip" are open to interpretation, but the song seems to be about a person who is engaging in self-destructive behavior, including drinking and drug use. Despite trying to escape the problems in their life by running and hiding, the person cannot forget someone or something significant. The repetition of the line "But I'll never forget you anyway" emphasizes the importance of this person or thing in their life.
The lyrics suggest that the person is trying to cope with a situation that they cannot control by engaging in these harmful behaviors. The line "you can't stop me" could be interpreted as a sign of defiance against anyone who wants them to stop, or a realization that the person cannot stop themselves. The final lines of the song seem to offer a glimmer of hope, with the person expressing love for their city and the day. The line "I'm never gonna run about" could be interpreted as a declaration that the person will not continue to run and hide from their problems, but will face them head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
I am drinking
I am consuming alcohol
I am rolling (you can't stop me)
I am using drugs and won't let anyone interfere
I am hiding
I am trying to avoid something or someone
I am running (you can't stop me)
I am escaping and nobody can prevent me
But I'll never forget you anyway
Despite my current state or actions, I'll always remember you
See our family to realize
Looking at our larger group and relationships helps us understand
As it's running down today
Time is passing by quickly
I love the city love the day
I enjoy living in this urban environment
No fool for you
I won't be made a fool by you
In this I am
This is my current state or demeanor
I'm never gonna run about
I won't be running around or acting aimlessly
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH HOMME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind