http://www.qotsa.com

Stoner-rock with a newer-than-1977 attitude, Queens of the Stone Age have their roots in Kyuss... remember them? Thought not.

After Kyuss was no more, singer Josh Homme relocated to Seattle to work with the Screaming Trees. He ended up working with everyone and their brother, including Soundgarden and Dinosaur Jr. Josh and a motley assortment of Seattle scenesters recorded a series of 7" under the name Gamma Ray.

Josh renamed the collective Queens of the Stone Age and began to assemble a permanent lineup starting with drummer Alfredo Hernandez. The Queens released a self titled debut in 1998 on Loosegroove Records, owned by Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. After this record was out, bassist Nick Oliveri left the Dwarves to join the Queens. He was soon followed by guitarist Dave Catching.

The Queens of the Stone Age released their second album, R (as in 'rated R') in 2000 and began extensively touring. In the midst of all this fun stuff, Josh put together a series of albums called The Desert Sessions on indie label Man's Ruin. These volumes feature the recordings resulting from the earlier revolving door incarnation.