News

Buzz me if you'd like to attend any of the following gigs.
Too many DJ/club gigs to list here - just ask for more info.

Harry Manx (Canada)

Fri 9th January
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan St
Richmond
Price: $30
www.harrymanx.com


From the very first note, whether it’s the twang of his 6-stringed banjo, his lap slide, his 20-stringed Mohan Veena, or his voice, you know you’re in ‘the Harry zone’—an enchanted musical landscape that takes original and classic roots and blues tunes on a detour through the ragas of India. "Harry Manx is assuredly Canada’s most versatile and expressive blues player," raved Billboard Magazine last year, as did the public and reviewers worldwide. Since the 2000 release of his first solo CD Dog My Cat, Harry has been performing and recording nonstop. He arrives for the Falls Festivals with a brand new solo CD, and with raves for his contribution to Northern Blues’ Johnny’s Blues tribute CD to Johnny Cash.

"Harry Manx is one incredible songwriter, but his overall musicianship is what makes this music so attractive to me. Each song possesses more feeling and emotion than a million pop songs could ever deliver. This music is real. I spent several nights listening to this music, and still can't seem to put it down." -Michael Allison

The Smallgoods

Fri 9th January
The Evelyn Hotel
Brunswick St
Fitzroy
Guests: Icecream Hands & Special Patrol (Adelaide)
Price: $12

Someone smart once said that the best bands are gangs.
The Smallgoods fit this description, consisting of two brothers, their best friends from childhood, and someone they all met later in life and found a musical bond with immediately.

The Smallgoods formed at the end of 1999, and have been impressing Melbourne music lovers ever since.
Their music is a blend of sweet three-part harmonies over feel-good psychedelic pop, with more melody than you can poke a stick at!

The Smallgoods’ anticipated debut album Listen to the Radio will hit stores on Monday, November 3rd through Half A Cow Records. The album is a celebration of the airwaves. It skips along like your favourite radio station where every song is one you want to hear. Good Afternoon was recently released as a promo single and instantly earned Melbourne and interstate community radio airplay.
It has also made its way to a national audience through Triple J rotation.

The album demonstrates a high level of song crafting with an emphasis on melodies and harmonies. Listen To The Radio was recorded over 2 years with the help of Melbourne producer, musician and all round good guy Paul Thomas. Paul has been in bands such as The Huxton Creepers, Weddings Parties Anything and Custard, and recorded Tim Oxley’s stunning debut album, “It’s All About Love”.

Buckle up ‘cause you’re in for a meandering ride along the Smallgoods psychedelic pop highway in the sunshine with the top down, listenin’ to the radio!

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The Guild League

Fri 9th January & Thurs 5th February
The Empress Hotel
714 Nicholson's St
Nth Fitzroy
Guests: 9th Jan - Basic Shape
5th Feb - Surrogate Turnip & The Millers Tale



The Guild League are collective of 16 musicians coming together to produce ‘Private Transport’, an album all about travel and love penned by Tali White (vocalist from The Lucksmiths.) Tali’s sublime voice shines whether singing stripped-back heart breakers to a lazy hip-hop travelogue, odes to breakfast and London or a cannon for voice and strings.

'Private Transport' was recorded in private houses in San Francisco, East Brunswick and Thornbury and at ‘Audrey Studios’ in Richmond over a period of about a year. The ‘ League is a truly collaborative effort with guests including Marty Brown (Red Raku, art of fighting) who is responsible for most of the ace drumming. Becky Baron (#poundsign#, scrabble) wielded the sticks on one song. The bottom end was held down by Pete ‘double bass’ Cohen (Sodastream) and Alicia Van Huevel (#poundsign, the aislers set). Craig Pilkington (the killjoys) proved to be a master of multi tasking by playing all the brass, some sparkling guitar parts and arranging the bulk of the strings and brass.

Jamie Knight (#poundsign#), Richard Easton and Roderigo Pintos Lopez strummed the rhythm guitar deftly and when Dan Luscombe (the blackeyed susans) played the slide guitar we all wept sweet tears. Ernie Gruner (juggularity) and Cressida Griffith respectfully bowed the violin and cello respectively. Clare Bowditch (Red Raku) and Ilka White added their clear and lovely voices to the mix.

The travel/love theme runs through the whole album. Full of many highlights, it kicks off with a flying start in ‘Jet-set…go!’, a jangling-guitar travelogue that takes in Spain, Yorkshire, Las Vegas and Thailand before it’s joyous finale in San Francisco. ‘The Photographer’ could be described as “strum and bass”. It’s a still life memory of a sea-side moment sung over a loping, looping bass line, layers of acoustic guitars and frantic drums.

‘Private Transport’ is an ambitious stunning debut all wrapped in amazing packaging. Hop on board for songs that will pick you up and take you places.

Phil K and Ransom (live!!! - Decks, FX & Ableton)

Sat 10th January
Revolver Upstairs
Chapel St
Prahran
Guests: Brewster B
Time: 12-7am
Price: $15

Dance Music Awards multi award winning “Best National DJ” 2003, "Outstanding Contribution to Dance Music", "Best Mix CD" - 'Balance 004'.
“When it comes to technique, Phil K is, without a doubt, one of the best in the world”

One of Australia 's most in demand talents, Phil K cut his teeth in the vibrant Melbourne dance scene, where he gained a reputation as a dance floor magic-maker. His most famous residency was at the folkloric Sunny Nights, an institution Melbourne 's vibrant club scene.

As his popularity escalated in the Melbourne scene, Phil K spread his wings outside of the dance floor sphere and into the homes of dance music enthusiasts through his Kiss FM radio show, “ The Friday Tapes ” for which he won an Australian Dance Music Award in 2001. Phil K has graced the swivel chairs of many a studio, with guest appearances on dozens of radio shows, including ABC's Triple J.

He has traveled the world, attracting a large fan base for both his DJing and his studio productions. Phil K's career continues to boom and he regularly travels the world, as well as delivering sets at the biggest nationwide parties and festivals such as Gatecrasher, Big Day Out, Vibes on a Summers Day, & Two Tribes to name but a memorable few.

Famously dedicated to the Pioneer DJM 600 and EFX 500 unit, which he knows like the back of his hand, Phil is well respected for his innovative studio work. He is also a Production partner in ‘Lo - Step' and ‘Dark Alley' and half of Hi - Fi Bugs with Andy Page (Lydon & The Dinosaur). Phil's latest mix CD ‘ Balance 4 ' has received critical acclaim all over the world and he also mixed one half of the 2003 CD release of Functional Breaks ‘retro>future' .

Phil has supported the likes of Fatboy Slim, John Digweed, Dave Seaman, Sasha, Carl Cox & Paul Oakenfold to name a few.

Polled as the #13 DJ in the world - Australia 's JUICE magazine

Today, Phil's DJ style is cutting edge. Always setting a new standard his sets are progressive, break beat,, 2-step, electro, tribal, tech house and trance like sounds... all mixed into one dance floor erupting journey. Or as Phil will tell you in less of a mouthful "I play good tunes…."

SONiA

Sat 10th January
The Rob Roy Hotel
Fitzroy
Guests: Gorgeous, Surrogate Turnip, Emily Ulman, The Steinbecks and Ben Birchall(Klinger). 8.30pm.
Price: $8


Inspired by Phil Ochs, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Chaplin and Vincent Van Gogh and all that her world conveys, SONiA is rising to become one truly wonderful (folk/rock/blues/country) singer-songwriter. Her voice is raspy yet pure. Her songs are eminent and unforgetable. She has won numerous awards including the GLAMA for Best Female Artist of the Year and the GLAAD award for Best Album.

Santa Cruz Guitar Company has just named a guitar after her and rightfully so it is called the SONiA model. SONiA performs at festivals and folk clubs, for Human Rights Rallies, at universities and rock venues in the USA, Australia, Canada, and also Israel, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand, Finland and Texas. Whether performing as a solo acoustic artist or with her sister, CiNDY or with a full rock band, disappear fear, SONiA has become one of the most important troubadours of our time. amen.

Pornland

Sat 17th January
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan St
Richmond
Price: $12



Pornland follow up their hugely successful Cd Launch with a gig at the Corner Hotel. This will be the start of a national tour, spanning Adelaide to Brisbane. Porn's favourite sons are on a mission to rekindle the nation's dormant libido and possibly lose their virginity while they're at it. Let the Party begin!

Ember Swift

Fri 23rd January
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan St
Richmond
Price: $15


With her jazz-steeped, folk-funk-punk-world stylings and seven recordings under her belt on her own independent label, Ember Swift returns to Australia for her 5th tour since 2001. She and her trio band have performed at countless major Australian festivals and events including Port Fairy (2002 & 2003) and Woodford Folk Festival (2003 & 2004).

A singer, guitarist, pianist and dabbler in exotic percussion, Ember and crew (including bassist/electric violinist Lyndell Montgomery and drummer/percussionist Adam Bowman) form a style-merging trio that produces truly unique combinations of songwriting in the midst of multi-instrumentalist talent. Insightful political observations and truths are framed by a memorable and perspective-shifting performance experience, with sheer fun as important an ingredient as Ember's extraordinary voice and unblinking lyrics.

the Beautiful Girls

Sat 24th January
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan St
Richmond
Price: $16
Guests: Nine Mile (Canada)

The Beautiful Girls return to the Corner by popular demand after their recent sell out show. The Beautiful Girls are at the forefront of the new roots and groove music movement. Both live and on record they manage to blend their affection for hip hop and reggae with their love of real blues and roots. The band brings a mellow and foxy feel to everything they touch. They rap to a resolectric, rocksteady with an acoustic and they do melody like nobody else. Each of their recordings thus far has gotten strong radio support and new album 'Learn Yourself' is no exception ... it represents not just a step but a leap in their journey.

Gerling

Mon 26th January
Big Day Out '04
Melbourne RAS Showgrounds
Epsom Rd
Flemington
Cost: $98


Somewhere in 1993, fed on a steady diet of Sonic Youth, Afghan Whigs and Dinosaur Jr, as well as classic Australian visionaries like the Church and the Bad Seeds, Bluebottle Kiss was formed. Across four albums, a handful of EPs and singles and hundreds of visceral live shows through Australia and the US, Bluebottle Kiss have carved out a loyal following through their uncompromising, heady and melodic sound.

They have been described by Drum Media as 'arguably Australia's most idiosyncratic guitar band' while Rolling Stone gave their latest album Revenge Is Slow a 4 star review, describing it as 'a storming piece of work beautifully composed'. With a sound that has always been difficult to pigeon hole, Bluebottle Kiss have played with the likes of Sebadoh, Bonnie Prince Billy, Morphine and even Silverchair.

Katie Noonan with Paul Grabowsky Trio
feat. Scott Tinkler

Thurs 29th, Fri 30th and Sat 31st January
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
Melbourne
Price: $22



She is the heavenly voice behind the ARIA-winning band 'george'. He is Australian music's Renaissance man. And together, Katie Noonan and Paul Grabowsky generate a musical chemistry which has to be heard to be believed.

The Paul Grabowsky Trio and another ARIA-winner, trumpet virtuoso Scott Tinkler, gives the melbourne premiere of an extraordinary jazz song cycle. "Before Time Could Change Us" is a cycle of love songs, with texts by Dorothy Porter, tracking the mysterious shifts and changes of a relationship.

Set to the lyrical and evocative music of Paul Grabowsky, the songs tell the story in passionate and haunting lyrics as the singer, accompanied by jazz piano trio and trumpet, takes the audience from a lover's paradise to a lover's hell and back again. "Before Time Could Change Us" has been especially written by Paul Grabowsky for Katie Noonan and QBFM 2003.

'Empathy does not come close to describing the rapport [between Grabowsky and Noonan],' wrote Rolling Stone magazine of a previous collaboration. Be there as these titans of the Australian musical scene move into their latest, and perhaps most significant, groundbreaking collaboration.

Vocals Katie Noonan
Piano Paul Grabowsky
Drums Simon Barker
Bass Philip Rex
Trumpet Scott Tinkler

Good Vibrations

Sun 1st February
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
21 Linlithgow Ave
Melbourne
Time: noon
Bookings: Ticketmaster7



Get the vibe on a summer's day of house, dub, breaks, hip hop and neo-soul.

Featuring: Moloko, Gang Starr, Nitin Sawhney, Blackalicious, Freeland, Crazy Penis, Lee Scratch Perry & The Mad Professor, Soul II Soul Sound System, Asian Dub Foundation Sound System, Miguel Migs and Lisa Shaw, Gilles Peterson, Tom Middleton

Looking for an alternative summer festival that tones down the harder sounds and adds a dash of funk to the equation? Good Vibrations looks like a fairly good bet if your bag is hip hop, dub, neo-soul, breaks or house music. Headliners are UK duo Moloko, who rose to fame with their disco inspired hit Sing it Back in 2000. Their fame has cooled of late, with their latest longplayer Statues not setting the world alight.

They're joined by legendary hip-hop outfit Gang Starr, comprised of Jazzamatazz auteur Guru, and respected spinner DJ Premier. They're touring in support of their latest release The Ownerz. Other highlights include early '90s group Soul II Soul, Adam Freeland's live outfit Free*land, broken beat buff Gilles Peterson, and the Naked Music aligned duo of Miguel Migs and vocalist Lisa Shaw.

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Beth Orton

Wed 4th February
Athenaeum Theatre
188 Collins St
Melbourne
Bookings: Ticketmaster7


One suspects that factor 40+ sunscreen is somewhere near the top of Beth Orton's Australian tour rider. England's ultra-pale folk-soul waif arrives for her third high summer fling with a new retrospective album, Pass In Time, summarising her story so far.

When she first arrived aboard the '99 Big Day Out, the Norwich singer was perceived as a folkie who had dared cross the club floor. Her Tailer Park Reservation LP had one foot in the songwriting troubadour tradition, the other in cut-and-pasted bits with topical dance producers Red Snapper, William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers.

Her more organic third album, Daybreaker, left that perception behind in '02, albeit with the Chemical Brothers and Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt still hanging around, along with ex-Smiths guitar hero Johnny Marr, alt-country golden boy Ryan Adams and country legend Emmylou Harris. Pass In Time points to the future with a new song, The Same Day.

Ani DiFranco

Thurs 26th February
Palais Theatre
Esplanade Lower
St Kilda
Price: $62


Ani started playing Beatles' songs in local bars at age nine but didn't start writing her own material until age fifteen when she moved out of her mother's apartment. Living on her own, she played every Saturday night at the Essex Street Pub, and at sixteen she graduated from the Visual and Performing Arts High School. By the time she was eighteen she had played every bar in Buffalo a gazillion times and moved to New York City for a change of scenery. Now, five years and six albums later, she is still a steadfast independent.

With a voice that can rock the boat one minute and the cradle the next, Ani DiFranco has a sound like no other. In performance she never ceases to stun and stagger her audience with her famous hundred-fifty watt smile and easy laughter juxtaposed against the brutal poetics of her lyrics and the reckless manhandling of her guitar. She has played to packed houses and rave reviews from Boston's Somerville Theater to San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, and from Toronto's Phoenix to a twelve-hundred-seat sell-out at Vancouver's Vogue Theatre. As a writer in Tampa exclaimed, "If folk music has a future it's Ani DiFranco." .

Jazz gigs


Gil Askey and Dave Newdick *Trumpet special

Fri 16th January
Price: $15/10
Start: 9pm

When you're 78 you'd think you'd run out of puff to play the trumpet. But if it's been your lifelong career, hanging up the horn becomes unthinkable.

Gil Askey's love affair with music has taken him through America's most exciting years of jazz and pop. But Askey, who now lives in Australia, isn't the type to say thanks for the memories. His music is still very much alive. Thirty-seven years of music, including 23 of Motown, motion pictures, television and musical direction of Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Five, Michael JAckson, Gladys Knight and the Pips. There were TV specials with Liza Minnelli, nominations for Academy Awards, Grammys and Dove Awards for gospel.

Melbourne’s own Motown Legend always assures a fun night of jazz and will have you fall in love with jazz if you’re not already!

Nina Ferro and Bob Valentine

Fri 23rd January
Price: $15/10
Start: 9pm


"Nina Ferro can sing - and I mean sing! Her intonation is good, her sound rich, she phrases with feeling and swings infectiously."

Nina, through her passionate, broad understanding of music, versatile vocal style and extensive repertoire, appeals to audiences of all ages. Nina’s aim is to provide her audience with a fresh, bold, high energy expression of music embracing a variety of styles including; Jazz, Latin, Soul, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Funk and beyond.

Christine Sullivan

Sat 24th and Sat 31st January
Price: $15/10
Start: 9pm

Melbourne’s premier vocalist, Christine always impresses with her sublime voice, brilliant band and stunning arrangements.

Christine Sullivan is a unique voice in Australian music. An interpretive vocalist, she has blended many genres of music (jazz, world music, folk and rhythm and blues) to produce a voice and style of unmatched clarity and beauty. This is reflected in the diversity of her performances which range from engagements at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London to the support act for Art Garfunkel at the Melbourne Concert Hall.

Geoff Achison Band and Paul Williamson

Fri 30th January
Price: $15/10
Start: 9pm
www.souldigger.com.au

Blues - Chicago style!

"Achison has been hailed as one of the best blues players in Australia"

From blues bars across the USA, to the Sydney Opera House, Australian-based blues-rock guitarist Geoff Achison has been impressing audiences around the world with his unique talent. Geoff has just returned from the east Coast Blues Festival in Byron bay and this is a rare Melbourne show between his US tour in May-June and right before he heads over to the UK in August. The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society recently honoured Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers with awards for BAND OF THE YEAR and MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR. Geoff will be performing with his full band and Paul Williamson’s Horns From Hell.

Bennetts Lane Jazz Club

Fri 16th January - Alison Wedding Quartet $15/12

Sat 17th January - Martin Breeze Quartet $15/12

Fri 23rd January - Yvette Johansson Quartet $18/15

Sat 24th January - Yvette Johansson Quartet $18/15

Thur 29th January - Katie Noonan with Paul Grabowsky Trio feat. Scott Tinkler $22

Fri 30th January - Katie Noonan with Paul Grabowsky Trio feat. Scott Tinkler $22

Sat 31st January - Katie Noonan with Paul Grabowsky Trio feat. Scott Tinkler $22

Past gigs

Blueline Medic

Sat 11th October
The Barton Theatre
Adelaide

Guest: Something For Kate


Blueline Medic’s new album "Text Bomb" was a recent JJJ album of the week. The album is the follow up to 2001’s "The Apology Wars" features 11 cuts – beginning with the melodic blitz of the single ‘Sleepyhead’ – that showcase the band’s ability to combine passion, lyrical invention and musical durability.

The C-Minus Project

Thurs 18th December
The Empress Hotel
714 Nicholson's St
Nth Fitzroy
Guests: I Want a Hovercraft (acoustic)


Less than Perfect Day is the debut album from Sydney's The C-Minus Project. Formed during 1999 as a vehicle for singer/songwriter Sam Shinazzi, The C-Minus Project showcases a relaxed songwriter who brings honesty and intimacy to melody rich and often melancholic pop songs.

The 12 track album glows with an intimate warmth and immediateness, exploring friendship, love, sadness and hope through personal, and often autobiographical, narratives that bridge individual experiences, connecting listeners with emotive songs that document a certain time, place or emotion.

Less than Perfect Day was recorded under the watchful eye of producer/engineer Konrad Skirlis, and featuring a host of guest musicians from the local Sydney scene, including Jason (ex-Golden Rough), Bruno, Ben & Graeme (Peabody), Beau (Starky), Liz & Brad (Little Sky) and Wes & Skye (Devoted Few).

The C-Minus Project has attracted the attention of many in Sydney and has become a regular feature in many inner city venues. Along with the support of radio and street press, the band have earned a healthy following of dedicated fans, many of whom can be found sitting cross-legged in front of the stage sharing Sam's experiences.

2001 saw the independent release of the mini-album 'Long Drive Home' that proved popular with radio in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and The C-Minus Project undertook interstate tours to Melbourne and Hobart. The band started receiving due praise and invitations to play with international touring acts such as Joe Pernice, Evan Dando, Francis MacDonald (BMX Bandits/Teenage Fanclub), Josh Rouse and Lou Barlow (Sebedoh/Folk Implosion).

I Want a Hovercraft

Thurs 18th December
The Empress Hotel
714 Nicholson's St
Nth Fitzroy
www.iwantahovercraft.com

What began as atmospheric guitarist Seth Rees & moody, meloncholy singer/songwriter Sarah-Jane Wentzki jamming in a sharehouse evolved into a beautiful blend of experimental sound textures and inherent pop sensibility.

If you could imagine a mixture of Cat Power and Portishead then you would be close to being able to describe the principles behind the ambient, vocal-driven melodic sounds of I Want a Hovercraft.

I Want a Hovercraft are a unique mix of guitar, vocals and atmospheric melancoly sounds.

Machine Translations

Sat 20th December
The Evelyn Hotel
Brunswick St
Fitzroy


Machine Translations is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and home-recordist J.Walker. Machine Translations' music falls happily between the musical chairs of pop and art, incorporating guitar rock, eastern instruments, fragmented loops and sing-along choruses. In existence now for over 6 years, the musical terrain of Machine Translations has become rich and strange indeed, and the band is generally recognised as one of Australia’s most original music acts.

Following his move to Melbourne, J.Walker has put together a wonderful live band featuring Electric Guitar, Drums, Bass, Violin and Samples which has been receiving rave reviews from the Australian music press. Machine Translations has toured Australia many times, both as a headline act and as a support for overseas acts such as Lloyd Cole, Spoon, Will Oldham, Teenage Fanclub, Catpower, Mogwai, Badly Drawn Boy and major Australian bands such as the Church and the Dirty Three. The band also completed a successful 7-week international tour in 2001, taking in North America, the UK, Holland, France and Germany..

Clare Bowditch

Sat 20th December
Rob Roy Hotel
51 Brunswick St
Fitzroy
Guests: Supporting Black Eyed Susans


Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set burst onto the Melbourne music scene earlier this year with their debut single “Human Being”, which quickly became Inpress’ “Single of the Week” and received favourable attention from both community and national radio.

In September 2003 their second single, "Monday Comes", recieved the same "Single of the Week" honour (different editor this time!), and was generously flogged by national station Triple J. It also afforded them to opportunity to share a make-up room with the Hilton Sisters (they played "Live-ish" for Roy and HG's Channel 7 show "Cream of the Carnival"), to be added to the elusive "Meredith Festival" bill, and seems to have pushed Clare into the lime-light as one of Australia's more interesting "up-and-comings".

Clare's music has a rich, moving, emotional rock-and-roll vibe, with deeply personal songs that range from humorous to haunting. They're described by some critics as “Just stunningly pretty but also gutsy and unconventional stuff” (Marty Jones – Inpress), and as “unique, emotive…something that really jumps out at you” (Paul Stewart – Herald Sun).

Adding to Bowditch’s acoustic guitar and jazz-flecked vocals are harmonies from Libby Chow on French-horn/vocals, with keyboard/guitar by J Walker (Machine Translations), divine bass from Red Raku’s Warren Bloomer and superb drums from Mr Marty Brown (Art of Fighting).

Bomba

NEW YEARS EVE
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan St
Richmond
Price: $22

Bomba recently returned from a sell out national two month tour supporting the John Butler Trio. They are a 7-piece Funky Reggae outfit featuring genuine heavy dance grooves, rich harmonies, powerful horns and soulful original material sweetly wrapped in a dynamic stage show. The band has been renowned for their energetic live performances moving audiences on the national Festival circuit, numerous venues around the country and through their cd and EP releases. The new album "SOLAR PLEXUS" is out now through MGM distribution.

Queens of the Stone Age (USA)

Tues 6th January
Festival Hall
West Melbourne
Guests:The Distillers (USA)


This highly acclaimed Palm Desert, California, USA-based heavy rock band was formed from the ashes of Kyuss, the stoner rock legends who split up in 1995 after several years of critical acclaim and negligible commercial success.
After leaving Kyuss, guitarist Joshua Homme toured with Soundgarden and issued several singles under the name Gamma Ray. He also found the time to work on the Desert Session series for Man's Ruin Records, recording with a loose aggregation of musicians at the Mojave Desert Studio. Homme subsequently began writing songs with former Kyuss drummer Alfredo Hernandez, and cooked up the provocative Queens Of The Stone Age moniker.
They debuted on a split EP at the end of 1997, recording three new tracks to go alongside three Kyuss b-sides. Original Kyuss bass player Nick Oliveri, who had been playing with the Dwarves, joined up in time to help record the Queens Of The Stone Age's self-titled 1998 debut album. A minimalist update on Kyuss' acid-tinged desert rock sound, the album included the US alternative radio hit, "If Only". Hernandez left before the release of Rated R; which was recorded with a fluctuating line-up including drummers Gene Troutman and Nicky Lucero, pianist/lap steel guitarist Dave Catching, and guest vocalists Mark Lanegan (lead on "In The Fade") and Rob Halford. The album opened with the controversial "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer", the lyrics to which comprise a checklist of the band's favourite drugs. The hit single "The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret" and much that follows has warmly nostalgic undertones of Spirit and Cream, helping create a melodic and inventive riposte to critics who attacked stoner rock bands for being repetitive and one dimensional, with the subtle musical touches and taut arrangements helping create an eclectic masterpiece. Homme and Oliveri were joined by the Foo Fighters' leader Dave Grohl on recording sessions for their blisteringly good third album. Grohl also played drums on tour with the band.