Kyuss Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Alternative rock Space rock Metal Hard rock Grunge Doom metal Stoner rock Alternative metal Sludge metal Desert rock Stoner metal palm desert scene

Members

Select a Kyuss band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Josh Homme

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Queens of the Stone Age The Desert Sessions Them Crooked Vultures Eagles of Death Metal Screaming Trees Sound City Players The Fiffiff Teeners

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Nick Oliveri

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

Queens of the Stone Age The Desert Sessions Dwarves Mondo Generator Bl'ast! Vista Chino STÖNER Bloodclot

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Brant Bjork

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Groups:

Fu Manchu The Desert Sessions Brant Bjork Trio Fatso Jetson Vista Chino STÖNER Ten East Ché Mario Lalli & The Rubber Snake Charmers Brant Bjork and The Bros

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Scott Reeder

Roles:

Bassist Composer

Groups:

The Obsessed Fireball Ministry Goatsnake Unida Vista Chino Ten East Yawning Sons

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Chris Goss

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Groups:

Queens of the Stone Age The Desert Sessions Sound City Players Masters of Reality The Fiffiff Teeners

Needs more gear

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John Garcia

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Slo Burn Unida Vista Chino Hermano

No gear added

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Chris Cockrell

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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Alfredo Hernández

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Queens of the Stone Age The Desert Sessions Yawning Man Ché Brant Bjork and The Bros

No gear added

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About

Kyuss is a seminal American rock band originating from Palm Desert, California, noted for pioneering the stoner rock genre. Formed in 1987, the group initially consisted of John Garcia (vocals), Josh Homme (guitar), Nick Oliveri (bass), and Brant Bjork (drums). Known for their heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs and expansive, psychedelic soundscapes, Kyuss carved a significant niche within the rock and metal scenes. Their music is a rich tapestry of hard rock, grunge, and doom metal, characterized by sludgy tones and desert-inspired atmospheres. Despite disbanding in 1995, their influence reverberates through countless bands that followed.

How to Sound Like Kyuss

Kyuss's sound is a unique blend of thick, distorted guitar riffs and earthy, groove-driven rhythms, giving their music a raw, organic feel. The guitar tones, often pushed to the edge of distortion, draw heavily from fuzz pedals and bass amplifiers, a technique that adds a weighty depth to their sound. For instance, Josh Homme's use of the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive pedal contributes to the gritty and aggressive edge characteristic of their tracks. The combination of tube amplifiers like the Ampeg VT-40 and semi-hollowbody guitars such as the Epiphone Dot further enhance the band's signature resonance. The rhythm section, powered by Oliveri's Sunn Concert Bass and Bjork's dynamic drumming, provides a solid yet fluid foundation, allowing the guitars to soar with ferocious intensity. Kyuss's music thrives on its ability to merge heaviness with a trippy, spacey vibe, perfect for those looking to recreate their distinctive desert rock essence.

Discography

Wretch

1991

Blues for the Red Sun

1992

Welcome to Sky Valley

1994

...And the Circus Leaves Town

1995

Green Machine

2018

Get the Kyuss Sound

Want to sound like Kyuss? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.