Following over a year of lawsuits, feuds and court-appointed name changes, Vista Chino have wrapped up work on their upcoming album, Peace, and will begin touring in a few days.
The band, currently comprised of Brant Bjork, John Garcia, Nick Oliveri and Bruno Fevery, got its start as Sons of Kyuss in 1987. Back then the group was made up of Bjork, Garcia, Oliveri, QOTSA frontman Josh Homme and Chris Cockrell, and they would go on to make their name with the shortened moniker Kyuss. Years of bickering saw the band split up and rename themselves multiple times, but Bjork, Garcia and Oliveri reunited in November 2010 to tour as Kyuss Lives!, with plans to record a new album.
In 2012, Homme filed a lawsuit against the group alleging “trademark infringement and consumer fraud” over using the Kyuss name, even though it was Bjork who had created the name in the beginning. This caused Oliveri to leave the band, and it was later ruled Garcia and Bjork could not release new recordings under the name Kyuss, or Kyuss Lives!
The band powered through, however, renaming themselves Vista Chino, and Oliveri would return as their bassist in November 2012.
With an exciting flourish to this group’s dramatic story, Vista Chino will soon be releasing Peace, and have offered its first single, “Dargona Dragona” via their Facebook page. The foursome also begin touring this weekend at Metallica’s Orion Festival and will continue throughout Europe over the next few months.
UPDATE (6/11): A representative for Vista Chino has informed mxdwn that Nick Oliveri is not currently with the band, nor is he a confirmed future member. Oliveri did contribute to their forthcoming album, but will not be touring with Vista Chino on their pending run of road shows.
Check below for Vista Chino’s upcoming dates:
Vista Chino Tour
Jun 9: Detroit, MI – Orion Festival
Jul 25: Tienen, Belgium – Suikerrock
Jul 26: Feldkirch, Austria – Poolbar Festival
Jul 29: Vienna, Austria – Rock Im Wald Festival
Jul 31: Pinarella di Cervia, Italy – Arena
Aug 3: Lierpop, Holland – Rock Planet
Aug 7: Munich, Germany – Backstage (Free & Easy Festival)
Aug 8: Geneva, Switzerland – Usine
Aug 9: Puttlingen, Germany – Rocco del Schlako
Aug 10: Eschwege, Germany – Open Flair Festival
Leave a Comment