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!.
Whitewater
Kyuss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The loving beauty
Pass me by
Should I waste my time
In your valley
Beneath your sky?
Aah, aah, aah, aah
You move your own mountain
The trees have grown
The trees have grown
Now it's over
Now it's over and I'm coming home
Aah, aah, aah, aah
I am home
The opening lines of Kyuss's "Whitewater" are filled with contemplation and unease. The singer is caught between the allure of the "loving beauty" of the sun and the uncertainty of whether it's worth it to spend time in its "valley" under its "sky." This metaphorical valley could refer to a physical space, but it's more likely the singer is weighing the risks of indulging in something enticing with the potential consequences or unfulfillment that may come with it. The singer may also be grappling with the idea of home--the familiarity and security it provides versus the call of new experiences and adventures.
In the chorus, the singer seems to have made a decision. They declare, "I am home." Whether this means returning to a physical location or simply finding comfort and resolution within themselves, it's clear that the singer has found a sense of peace. The second verse references the idea that one can accomplish great things, even move mountains ("You move your own mountain"), but ultimately everything comes to an end ("now it's over"). The repeated "aahs" throughout the song add to the dream-like quality of the lyrics, almost as if the singer is in a trance or meditative state as they reflect on their thoughts.
Overall, "Whitewater" is a song that explores the balance between indulging in the beauty and pleasures of life, while also acknowledging the potential pitfalls and consequences. It's a song about the search for home, whether that be a physical space or a state of mind, and the acceptance that all things come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh sunshine
Oh warmness and brightness of the sun, symbolizing positivity and hope
The loving beauty
The attractive and endearing qualities of nature and the environment
Pass me by
Am I insignificant and forgotten amidst these larger forces?
Should I waste my time
Is it worthwhile to spend my valuable time here?
In your valley
Within the confines of this isolated and peaceful environment
Beneath your sky?
Under the vast and endless expanse of the sky
Aah, aah, aah, aah
A vocalization expressing intense emotion and awe
I am home
Despite feeling overwhelmed and insignificant, I have found peace and belonging here
You move your own mountain
The natural forces here are so powerful that they can alter the landscape
The trees have grown
Life and growth continue, even in the midst of overwhelming surroundings
Now it's over
The experience has come to a close
Now it's over and I'm coming home
Although the journey is ending, I have carried a part of this place within me and will always feel at home there
Aah, aah, aah, aah
A final, emotional vocalization
I am home
The singer reaffirms their connection and sense of belonging to this place
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH HOMME, NICK OLIVERI, JOHN M GARCIA, BRANT BJORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tzDub92
Lyrics:
Oh sunshine
The loving beauty
Pass me by
Should I waste my time
In your valley
Beneath your sky?
Aah, aah, aah, aah
I am home
You move your own mountain
The trees have grown
The trees have grown
Now it's over
Now it's over and I'm coming home
Aah, aah, aah, aah
I am home
@jorgenpinoy1724
1994……. 2023.. still listening every day🤟🙏
@eijakaikkonen5662
Same here my friend same here ❤❤
@jorgenpinoy1724
@@eijakaikkonen5662 🤟🤟🤟
@oliviersalomon5806
--> 2024 here! <--@ILjXYZ
I love Kyuss so much, and this is one of my favorite songs. That opening gets me every time. Reminds me of better times in the mid 2000s when I was a civil engineering designer/draftsman in So Cal. I used to listen to Kyuss and Queens like non-stop while drafting. Really takes me back.
@user-ky4uo6kj9p
john garcia is great!stoner forever!stop fucking wars and play music and create harmony in Earth!
@StonedMeadowOfDoom
It's safe to say this is one of the greatest songs ever made.
@DrMillF
Agree
@L0nkero
Stoned Meadow Of Doom And also one of the greatest albums ever made.
@DrMillF
Rafael Rodrigues i don't See why you are mit allowed to tell your personal taste negatively too