The Real Reason These Bands Were Forced To Change Their Names

With their heavy, 1970s-inspired riffs and stripped-down approach, Kyuss were pioneers of the musical style that would come to be known as stoner rock. Founded in Palm Desert, California, by singer John Garcia, guitarist Josh Homme, drummer Brant Bjork, and bassist Nick Oliveri, Kyuss gained a loyal underground following playing "generator parties": beer-fueled outdoor bashes held in the isolated desert communities around Palm Springs in the late 1980s.

Kyuss caught the attention of critics with their acclaimed second release, Blues for a Red Sun. Their next album, 1994's Welcome to Sky Valley, marked the band's pinnacle of success. However, Kyuss' 1995 album ...And the Circus Leaves Town was the beginning of the end. Plagued by lineup changes and internal conflict, Kyuss broke up in the summer of 1995. Nevertheless, members of the band would go on to even greater success, most notably guitarist Josh Homme, who went on to found Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal.

Despite their breakup, Kyuss has maintained a loyal fanbase. In 2011, Garcia, Bjork, and Olivieri began performing as Kyuss Lives! marking the first time the founding members had played together in 19 years. Not down for the reunion, however, were former members Homme and bassist Scott Reeder, who sued over use of the band's name. As reported by Rolling Stone, Garcia and company may tour as Kyuss Lives! but are forbidden to record under the name. The former bandmates now call themselves Vista Chino to avoid further legal entanglements.

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