Kyuss (pronounced ['kaɪ.əs] or "kai-uss") was an influential stoner rock band, originally from Palm Desert, California. After forming in the late 1980s and releasing an EP under the name Sons of Kyuss in 1990, the band shortened its name to Kyuss. Over the next five years the band released four full-length albums before splitting up in 1995. Since then, members of Kyuss went on to form or feature in several notable bands including Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Unida, Mondo Generator, Hermano and Slo Burn.

Kyuss (pronounced [kigh-uss]; rhymes with bias) is the corner stone of the genre known to many as stoner rock or desert rock . Although derivative of 70s hard rock , Kyuss also managed to sound unique. Primarily this was because guitarist Josh Homme often tuned to a low C, a major third below standard pitch, and also due to singer John Garcia ’s paint stripping vocals. [yearformed] [/bandmember]The band was originally formed in 1989 in Palm Desert, California under the name “Sons of Kyuss”