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!.
Freedom Run
Kyuss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need ya, and there's nothin' you can do, yeah
Walked million miles of desert sun
To grasp the chance, that I'll be gone
Be one with you, yeah
Freedom run (3x)
Well I'll break through
Will I steal for you?
No fun could last, well I hope you last
You're in my grasp, well no cure, yeah
Freedom run (4x)
The lyrics of Kyuss's song "Freedom Run" depict a desperate yearning for a significant other or a loved one. The singer seems to be willing to go beyond the limits of the law, even if it means stealing, just to be with that person. The lines "No break through, I'll steal for you, I need ya, and there's nothin' you can do" suggest an almost reckless passion that cannot be quelled. The phrase "Walked million miles of desert sun" indicates that the singer has been through a lot and put in a lot of effort to be with this person. The line "To grasp the chance, that I'll be gone" adds a note of urgency, highlighting that time is running out and the singer must act fast.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Freedom run" and adds to the theme of the song, which seems to be that the singer feels trapped and wants to be free to be with this person. The lines "Well I'll break through, Will I steal for you? Well I need ya, and there's nothin' you can do" show that the need to be with this person is so strong that it is worth risking everything for.
Line by Line Meaning
No break through, I'll steal for you
I am unable to find a way out of my situation, so I will resort to committing theft for you.
I need ya, and there's nothin' you can do, yeah
I am reliant on you and there is nothing you can do to change my dependence.
Walked million miles of desert sun
I have gone through a difficult and long journey under the hot sun.
To grasp the chance, that I'll be gone
I am taking advantage of the rare opportunity to leave and escape.
Be one with you, yeah
I want to be connected with you on a deeper level.
Freedom run (3x)
I desire to experience true freedom through my escape.
Well I'll break through
I am confident that I will find a way to break free.
Will I steal for you?
Am I willing to commit theft for your sake?
No fun could last, well I hope you last
Nothing enjoyable can remain permanent, and I hope that you will.
You're in my grasp, well no cure, yeah
I have a hold on you, and there is no way to cure our connection.
Freedom run (4x)
I continue to long for my escape and true freedom.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH HOMME, BRANT BJORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind