Nick Oliveri
Born in Los Angeles, Oliveri began his career in 1987 with John Garcia, Brant Bjork, Josh Homme and Chris Cockrell under the band name Katzenjammer. In early 1989, after Oliveri's departure to play in other bands, the band would change its name to Sons of Kyuss, later shortening the name to Kyuss. He later rejoined the band, playing on the albums Wretch and Blues for the Red Sun. Oliveri would leave Kyuss again in early 1992, shortly after his father died in a car accident. Following his departure from Kyuss he joined The Dwarves as an on again off again bassist under the moniker Rex Everything. However he is perhaps best known as a member of Queens of the Stone Age from 1998 to 2004. Oliveri is also a solo artist and frequent contributor to his friends' albums and tours, including Winnebago Deal, Mark Lanegan Band, Masters of Reality, Turbonegro, Moistboyz aka Dickie Moist and the O.T.C. and The Knives. In the past he has been involved with The Desert Sessions Vol. 4 and Vol. 6. Oliveri is known for playing bare chested and sometimes naked at gigs. Most memorably, he was arrested in Brazil, after performing nude on stage at the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro.[3] He is also one half of the acoustic duo The Uncontrollable, with The Dwarves frontman Blag Dahlia.
Queens of the Stone Age years[edit]
Oliveri's singing can be heard on songs such as "Auto Pilot", "Tension Head" and "Quick and to the Pointless" from the album Rated R and "Another Love Song", "Gonna Leave You", "Six Shooter" and "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire", from the album Songs for the Deaf.
Post–Queens of the Stone Age[edit]
Oliveri performing in 2006
Since his firing from Queens of the Stone Age, Nick has both toured and appeared on-stage with Brant Bjork, Motörhead, Winnebago Deal, Masters of Reality, The Dwarves, Mark Lanegan and Turbonegro. He also recorded an acoustic LP entitled Demolition Day that was eventually released as a second disk in a limited edition of Mondo Generator's latest album, Dead Planet: SonicSlowMotionTrails.
Although now concentrating on the Mondo Generator project, in September 2006 Oliveri stated "I feel that Queens is something I can contribute to and he (Josh Homme) needs me to do it."[4]
As of April 2007, Mondo Generator was scheduled to appear on the 12th annual Ozzfest tour (otherwise known as the "FreeFest" tour), but officially dropped off the tour on July 26, 2007 after appearing at 4 Ozzfest dates. Oliveri stated, "We can't keep on touring for free! My band's not free, it's costing me."
In early 2008, Nick joined a West Coast off-shoot of Moistboyz dubbed Dickie Moist OTC, on bass.[5] In June, 2008, Nick joined Los Angeles-based rock band, The Knives, on bass.
On August 7, 2008, Nick Oliveri appeared on stage with Turbonegro to sing "Back to Dungaree High" and "Nervous Breakdown," the latter being a Black Flag cover. The band's performance at the Øyafestivalen was a 10th Anniversary celebration of their critically hailed album, Apocalypse Dudes.
Nick Oliveri appears on Slash, Slash's first solo album. He sings the song "Chains and Shackles" (only on the Australian version of the album).
In 2010, Oliveri announced that he is now in a new as yet unnamed band with Euroboy and Happy-Tom of Turbonegro, as well as Tommy Akerholdt from Serena-Maneesh.[6]
There was also speculation that he would return in Queens of the Stone Age during their summer tour due to Josh Homme's dedication of "New Fang" to Nick for "new beginnings". However, this proved to be false. In March 2011, Oliveri stated: "The last time I saw them play was a benefit for Brian O'Connor in L.A., from the Eagles of Death Metal. I was down there and I mentioned to them, "Why don't I come up and do "Millionaire" or something, and sing it and not play bass?" [Josh] was like, "Nah, I don't think that's a good idea yet." It's kind of in his court for stuff like that. I don't think he wants to give anybody the wrong idea. I don't necessarily know if that would happen. And he's got a good band—he's taking the band in the direction he wants it to go."[7]
In November 2010, Oliveri joined Kyuss Lives! with fellow ex band members Garcia and Bjork. The band initially toured Europe, Australian and New Zealand markets in early 2011, and later toured North America.[8] A new studio album was also being planned following the tour.[9] Due to Oliveri's ongoing legal problems resulting from a July 2011 incident, he was unable to leave the US and Scott Reeder filled in for him on several international dates.
After touring domestically in the US with Kyuss Lives! during 2011, Oliveri decided to leave the band in favor of returning to working on Mondo Generator.[10] However, as of December 2012, he has returned to Kyuss Lives!, who is now known as Vista Chino.[11]
In late November 2012 Oliveri contributed vocals on a track for his former band Queens of the Stone Age.
In January 2013, it was announced that Oliveri has formed a thrash metal super-group with Gary Holt of Exodus, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, and Casey Chaos of Amen. The project is being produced by Ross Robinson.[12] In July 2013 Oliveri went to Alaska to play a mini tour. On tour he met members of Men With Guns, Lowell George Granath and Cody Kniceley. On July 8, 2013, the three went into HPI Studios in Anchorage Alaska and recorded two tracks for a two track digital demo due out in early fall 2013 under the band name The Situationalists. In late November 2013, Oliveri announced that he would be touring with, and playing bass for Moistboyz, the punk/rock project of Dean Ween, which will also feature Mondo Generator drummer Hoss Wright, Guy Heller, and Stephen Haas. Oliveri also announced that he and Hoss are also providing the rhythm section for the recently reunited California thrash outfit Bl'ast!. That band will begin touring in December as well.
Queens of the Stone Age years[edit]
Oliveri's singing can be heard on songs such as "Auto Pilot", "Tension Head" and "Quick and to the Pointless" from the album Rated R and "Another Love Song", "Gonna Leave You", "Six Shooter" and "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire", from the album Songs for the Deaf.
Post–Queens of the Stone Age[edit]
Oliveri performing in 2006
Since his firing from Queens of the Stone Age, Nick has both toured and appeared on-stage with Brant Bjork, Motörhead, Winnebago Deal, Masters of Reality, The Dwarves, Mark Lanegan and Turbonegro. He also recorded an acoustic LP entitled Demolition Day that was eventually released as a second disk in a limited edition of Mondo Generator's latest album, Dead Planet: SonicSlowMotionTrails.
Although now concentrating on the Mondo Generator project, in September 2006 Oliveri stated "I feel that Queens is something I can contribute to and he (Josh Homme) needs me to do it."[4]
As of April 2007, Mondo Generator was scheduled to appear on the 12th annual Ozzfest tour (otherwise known as the "FreeFest" tour), but officially dropped off the tour on July 26, 2007 after appearing at 4 Ozzfest dates. Oliveri stated, "We can't keep on touring for free! My band's not free, it's costing me."
In early 2008, Nick joined a West Coast off-shoot of Moistboyz dubbed Dickie Moist OTC, on bass.[5] In June, 2008, Nick joined Los Angeles-based rock band, The Knives, on bass.
On August 7, 2008, Nick Oliveri appeared on stage with Turbonegro to sing "Back to Dungaree High" and "Nervous Breakdown," the latter being a Black Flag cover. The band's performance at the Øyafestivalen was a 10th Anniversary celebration of their critically hailed album, Apocalypse Dudes.
Nick Oliveri appears on Slash, Slash's first solo album. He sings the song "Chains and Shackles" (only on the Australian version of the album).
In 2010, Oliveri announced that he is now in a new as yet unnamed band with Euroboy and Happy-Tom of Turbonegro, as well as Tommy Akerholdt from Serena-Maneesh.[6]
There was also speculation that he would return in Queens of the Stone Age during their summer tour due to Josh Homme's dedication of "New Fang" to Nick for "new beginnings". However, this proved to be false. In March 2011, Oliveri stated: "The last time I saw them play was a benefit for Brian O'Connor in L.A., from the Eagles of Death Metal. I was down there and I mentioned to them, "Why don't I come up and do "Millionaire" or something, and sing it and not play bass?" [Josh] was like, "Nah, I don't think that's a good idea yet." It's kind of in his court for stuff like that. I don't think he wants to give anybody the wrong idea. I don't necessarily know if that would happen. And he's got a good band—he's taking the band in the direction he wants it to go."[7]
In November 2010, Oliveri joined Kyuss Lives! with fellow ex band members Garcia and Bjork. The band initially toured Europe, Australian and New Zealand markets in early 2011, and later toured North America.[8] A new studio album was also being planned following the tour.[9] Due to Oliveri's ongoing legal problems resulting from a July 2011 incident, he was unable to leave the US and Scott Reeder filled in for him on several international dates.
After touring domestically in the US with Kyuss Lives! during 2011, Oliveri decided to leave the band in favor of returning to working on Mondo Generator.[10] However, as of December 2012, he has returned to Kyuss Lives!, who is now known as Vista Chino.[11]
In late November 2012 Oliveri contributed vocals on a track for his former band Queens of the Stone Age.
In January 2013, it was announced that Oliveri has formed a thrash metal super-group with Gary Holt of Exodus, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, and Casey Chaos of Amen. The project is being produced by Ross Robinson.[12] In July 2013 Oliveri went to Alaska to play a mini tour. On tour he met members of Men With Guns, Lowell George Granath and Cody Kniceley. On July 8, 2013, the three went into HPI Studios in Anchorage Alaska and recorded two tracks for a two track digital demo due out in early fall 2013 under the band name The Situationalists. In late November 2013, Oliveri announced that he would be touring with, and playing bass for Moistboyz, the punk/rock project of Dean Ween, which will also feature Mondo Generator drummer Hoss Wright, Guy Heller, and Stephen Haas. Oliveri also announced that he and Hoss are also providing the rhythm section for the recently reunited California thrash outfit Bl'ast!. That band will begin touring in December as well.
