STÖNER (w/ Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri) to release new live album on Heavy Psych Sounds this fall; stream Kyuss cover "Green Machine" now!

Californian desert rock supergroup STÖNER (with Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri and Ryan Güt) announce the release of their new live album "Hittin' The Bitchin' Switch" this October 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds, with a first track and pre-orders available now!

Stream "Green Machine" (Kyuss cover) below 

STÖNER is the supergroup formed by desert rock forefathers and long-time friends Brant Bjork (founding member of Kyuss, also former Fu Manchu), Nick Oliveri (Mondo Generator, former Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age) and Ryan Güt (Brant Björk's drummer), who released two studio full-lengths and one EP on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Celebrating three studio records and three years of intensive touring across Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand, STÖNER is ready to embark you on their groove-laden live experience with their new live album "Hittin' The Bitchin' Switch". Coming in a gorgeous double LP gatefold edition, the album features the band's greatest hits as well as their acclaimed covers of the Kyuss classics "Gardenia" and "Green Machine". It was recorded live at Altroquando in Treviso (Italy) by Matteo Pillon, engineered, mixed and mastered by Tommaso Mantelli and Max Ear at Lesder Studio.

It will be issued in Ultra LTD colored vinyl (2 versions), LTD magenta vinyl, classic black vinyl, CD digipack and digital on October 11th, with preorders available now on Heavy Psych Sounds.

STÖNER "Hittin' The Bitchin' Switch" (live album) - Out October 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds - Preorder

TRACKLIST:

1. A Million Beers
2. Party March
3. The Older Kids
4. Rad Stays Rad
5. Evel Never Dies
6. Night Tripper vs No Brainer
7. Stand Down
8. Own Yer Blues
9. It Ain't Free
10. R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
11. Tribe – Fly Girl
12. Strawberry Creek
13. Nothin'
14. Gardenia (Kyuss cover)
15. Green Machine (Kyuss cover)

If the name STÖNER seems a little on the nose, well… it is. Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri, founding members of the stoner rock legend Kyuss, are joined again by drummer Ryan Güt (of Bjork’s solo band) and they’ve got dibs on the thick and dusty swinging grooves. Their love for their early inspirations (bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Ramones, Blue Cheer, Misfits, Black Flag, The Stooges, MC5) results in big, groovy, sunbaked riffs that can cruise low and slow but then floor it and run all the red lights.

Live, STÖNER is a band about the magnetism between the players, the groove, loose vibe and straight-up badass rock and roll… Stöner are masters of their trade. Their world is a colorful joyride, heavy of rock but not of the head. Their records crank with vibes of classic hard rock, heavy blues, desert rock and psych rock jams — things that come organically to this trio. Stöner can’t help but express an abundance of punk rock rawness and passion for real rock and roll swagger. Their first three albums “Live at Mojave”, “Stoners Rule” and “totally...” on Heavy Psych Sounds see the band realizing the chemistry of these old friends developing a statement of pure rock and roll fun. Their latest 2023 EP "Boogie To Baja" featured five tracks in the purest STÖNER tradition, a perfect mix of desert swing, stoner rock and low desert punk all at once! With Bjork's laid-back grooves, Oliveri's unstoppable fire and Güt's swagger and flair, this is once again a top-shelf record that will drive all fans of the stoner rock veterans crazy.

STÖNER is:

Brant Bjork — Guitar & Vocals
Nick Oliveri — Bass & Vocals
Ryan Güt — Drums

STÖNER links

Facebook ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

Desert rock supergroup STÖNER (w/ Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri) to issue new record "Boogie To Baja" on Heavy Psych Sounds; first track streaming!

STÖNER, the desert rock supergroup formed by Brant Bjork (ex-Kyuss and Fu Manchu), Nick Oliveri (ex-Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age) alongside drummer Ryan Güt, present the first single taken from taheir new album "Boogie To Baja", to be issued on February 24th through Heavy Psych Sounds. Check out "City Kids" via It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine!

Says the band: "During the recording of 'totally...', we were having a blast and the music just kept rollin’ out so we decided to also put together a tasty EP. Guests Mario Lalli on "Stöner Theme" and Greg Hetson of Circle Jerks and Bad Religion on our version of the Motorhead/Pink Fairies classic "City Kids" makes this EP extra sweet. Jump in and let’s Boogie To Baja!"

 

 Listen to Stöner's rock'n'roll new single "City Kids" 

STÖNER is the supergroup formed by desert rock godfathers and long-time friends Brant Bjork (founding member of Kyuss, also former Fu Manchu), Nick Oliveri (Mondo Generator, former Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age) and Ryan Güt (Brant Björk drummer). Their debut studio album 'Stoners Rule' was released in the summer of 2021, and they quickly returned with their sophomore studio full-length 'totally...' in the spring of 2022, alongside an extensive tour across the US, Europe and Australia/New Zealand including appearances in the biggest festivals. 

Their new delivery "Boogie To Baja" features five tracks in the purest STÖNER tradition, a perfect mix of desert swing, stoner rock and low desert punk all at once! With Brant Bjork's laid-back grooves and Nick Oliveri's trademark fire, this is once again an explosive record that will drive all fans of the stoner rock veterans crazy. "Boogie To Baja" was produced by Yosef Sanborn and features appearances from Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson, ex-Yawning Man) and Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, ex-Bad Religion)

"Boogie To Baja" will be released in four different limited edition vinyl colors, black vinyl, CD and digital on February 24th, 2023, with preorders up now from Heavy Psych Sounds.  

STÖNER "Boogie To Baja"

Out February 24th on Heavy Psych Sounds - PREORDER

TRACKLIST:

1. Stöner Theme (Baja Version)

2. City Kids

3. Night Tripper vs No Brainer

4. It Ain’t Free

5. Boogie To Baja

If the name STÖNER seems a little on the nose, well… it is. Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri, founding members of the stoner rock legend Kyuss, are joined again by drummer Ryan Güt (of Bjork’s solo band) and they’ve got dibs on the thick and dusty swinging grooves, returning as Stöner with their sophomore release ”totally…”. Their love for their early inspirations (bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Ramones, Blue Cheer, Misfits, Black Flag, The Stooges, MC5) results in big, groovy, sunbaked riffs that can cruise low and slow but then floor it and run all the red lights.

Live, STÖNER is a band about the magnetism between the players, the groove, loose vibe and straight-up badass rock and roll… Stöner are masters of their trade. With “totally...”, Stöner is in its true form, getting together and having fun. Their world is a colorful joyride, heavy of rock but not of the head. The record cranks with vibes of classic hard rock, heavy blues, desert rock and psych rock jams — things that come organically to this trio. Stöner can’t help but express an abundance of punk rock rawness and passion for real rock and roll swagger. With two records, “Live at Mojave” and “Stoners Rule” (available on Heavy Psych Sounds), the latest full-length “totally...” sees the band realizing the chemistry of these old friends developing a statement of pure rock and roll fun. The band will soon release a new EP with the rock'n'rolling "Boogie To Baja", slated for a February 2023 drop on Heavy Psych Sounds.

STÖNER is:

Brant Bjork — Guitar & Vocals

Nick Oliveri — Bass & Vocals

Ryan Güt — Drums

STÖNER links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜Youtube

STÖNER - "totally..." (Album Review)

Release Date: May 06th 2022. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

totally... - Tracklisting

Party March

A Million Beers

Strawberry Creek (Dirty Feet)

Spacedude & The Burn

Stöner Theme

Turn It Around Now

Driving Miss Lazy

Great American Sage

Members

Brant Bjork - Guitar & Vocals

Nick Oliveri - Bass & Vocals

Ryan Güt - Drums 

Review

STÖNER are back with their new album "totally..." and I have to say it's a much better record than their debut album in every way possible and I enjoyed their debut a great deal. Everything seems more focused here and perhaps more upbeat as well. STÖNER are still in the party mood with elements of 70's Classic Stoner Rock grooves and a great appreciation for WEEDIAN and SLACKER humour contained within their lyrics. Maybe inspired by "Cheech & Chong" on certain songs which some folks will definitely get a kick out of.

Opening Song Party March has a solid Stoner Rock vibe with a rebellious style of Punk Rock, Boogie Rock, Psych Rock and Classic Hard Rock being used as well. The dual vocals from Brant and Nick feel more like equal creative partners on this album with Nick still being the more rebellious part of the band. Ryan on drums is excellent as ever. The song is upbeat and rebellious with that old "KYUSS" magic being evident on this track but still with STÖNER being their own thing. A nice sideline of distorted grooves and a kick-ass singalong chorus appear towards the end of the song to allow "totally..." become an expected delight from here on in.

Second song A Million Beers carries on the "party" atmosphere of the album with a Low Desert Punk approach from the band. The song is quite fast-paced and spliced with perhaps semi-autobiographical lyrics from the band including some very cool "video game references' and experiences of starting a band in the 1980's. The song is another mix of snarling Punk Rock attitude though with modern flavours of Desert/Stoner Rock to give the song that extra bit of classy heaviness.

Third song Strawberry Creek (DIrty Feet) feels like it could have come from one of Brant's recent solo studio efforts but with Nick's rebellious charm making this a STONER song through and through. The song does move between Blues Rock and Psychedelic Stoner Rock atmospherics with a hazy 70's Rock flair. The lyrics are simply written but the excellent dual vocals from Brant and Nick allow this song to be one of the best tracks on the album. Classic Stoner Rock is the main order of business here with a song that never outstay its welcome.

Fourth song Space Dude & The Burn is the most spaced out and WEEDIAN based song on the album with the song running past the eight minutes mark. Seedy Desert Rock grooves interact with an almost gloomy psychedelic environment that crackles with pure FUZZ ROCK energy. The spiky lyrics are quite out there and rooted in 70's and 90's style Stoner Metal themes and ideas. The music can be quite distorted especially when STÖNER opt for a more "Amplifier" style of sound. This is my favourite song on the album as this is the band in full creative flight playing what they do best.

Fifth song Stoner Theme is a very loose and fast affair with the band playing one of the most interesting tracks on the album. The music is quite surreal but lives upto the 70's Stoner lifestyle with killer vocals and sound clips allowing this track to be one of the funniest tracks on the album. Expect heavy grooves that have float between Psychedelic weirdness and elements of classic Desert/Stoner Rock riffs.

There are three tracks left with Turn It Around Now, Driving Miss Lazy and Great American Sage rounding this album off with more top tier Desert Rock and Psych Stoner Rock sounds with funny lyrics to match especially on Driving Miss Lazy.

When you have two of the most legendary musicians from the Stoner Rock/Metal scene within your line-up then you expect a certain level of greatness. "totally..." is a rip-roaring musical adventure from Brant, Nick and Ryan all in brilliant form. The album is everything you could possibly want from a Desert Rock/Stoner Rock album such as this. 

As I said earlier in my review, "totally..." is a much better album than their debut record. STÖNER feel more comfortable with themselves on this album and it shows. Excellent songwriting, vocal performances and instrumental work will no doubt allow "totally..." to be one of the best and must have Stoner Rock/Metal albums of the year. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. 

"totally..." will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from May 06th 2022.

Links

Official | Instagram | BandCamp

Desert Rock Collective STÖNER Shares First Song From Upcoming Album "totally…“! Released On HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS

Desert Rock Collective STÖNER (feat. Brant Bjork, Nick Oliveri & Ryan Güt) Shares First Song From Upcoming Album "totally…“!

Out on May 6, 2022 via Heavy Psych Sounds Records!

 

After the ultimate desert rock collective, Stöner, extended their deal with powerhouse label Heavy Psych Sounds, the band just shared a first track taken from their upcoming album, totally…, which is slated for a release on May 6, 2022!

If the name Stöner seems a little on the nose, well… it is. Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri, founding members of stoner rock legend Kyuss, are joined again by drummer Ryan Güt (of Bjork’s solo band) and they’ve got dibs on the thick and dusty swinging grooves, returning as Stöner with their sophomore release totally… . Stöner’s love for their early inspirations (bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Ramones, Blue Cheer, Misfits, Black Flag, The Stooges, MC5) result in big, groovy, sunbaked riffs that can cruise low and slow but then floor it and run all the red lights. Give ear, as Stöner just shared a first track taken from totally…! Says Brant Bjork: “What happens if you take Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis to the desert for a weekend getaway? I don’t know but it’s likely to involve A Million Beers!”

Just exclusively premiered with Visions Magazine and Metal Injection, "A Million Beers" is now streaming below:

 

Live, this is a band about the magnetism between the players, the groove, the loose vibe and straight up badass rock and roll…(Check out their upcoming tour dates HERE!). Stöner are masters of their trade. With totally… the band is in its true form, getting together and having fun. Stöner’s world is a colorful joyride, heavy of rock but not of head. The record cranks with vibes of classic hard rock, heavy blues, desert rock and psych rock jams - things that come organically to this trio. Stöner can’t help but express an abundance of punk rock rawness and passion for real rock and roll swagger. With two records, “Live at Mojave” and “Stoners Rule” (available on Heavy Psych Sounds), their forthcoming release totally… sees the band realizing the chemistry of these old friends developing a statement of pure rock and roll fun. 

 

The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Yoseph Sanborn and Stöner, and will be released as highly collectable Vinyl editions, CD and Digital formats on May 6, 2022 by Heavy Psych Sounds Records. totally… will also feature guest appearances on guitar by Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) and Mario Lalli (Yawning Man). Grab a slice, crank it, and pre-order your album copy at THIS LOCATION!

totally… Tracklist:

01. Party March
02. A Million Beers
03. Strawberry Creek (Dirty Feet)
04. Spacedude & The Burn
05. Stöner Theme
06. Turn It Around Now
07. Driving Miss Lazy
08. Great American Sage

  

Stöner is:

Brant Bjork – Guitars/Vocals
Nick Oliveri – Bass/Vocals
Ryan Güt – Drums

 

For More Info Visit:

www.stonerband.com
www.facebook.com/StonerBandOfficial
www.instagram.com/stoner.band
www.heavypsychsounds.com

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for all of the details.

STÖNER - Stoners Rule (Album Review)

 

Release Date: June 25th 2021. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/VInyl

Stoners Rule -  Tracklisting

1.Rad Stays Rad 06:27

2.The Older Kids 05:09

3.Own Yer Blues 06:00

4.Nothin' 02:37

5.Evel Never Dies 02:51

6.Stand Down 06:19

7.Tribe/Fly Girl 13:19

Members

Brant Bjork

Nick Olivieri

Ryan Gut

Review

Stoners Rule is the debut full length album from STÖNER that is being released on the always excellent record label Heavy Psych Sounds Records. If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last 6 months then you should know STÖNER is the new album featuring Desert/Stoner Rock Legends and Godfathers of the scene - Brant Bjork and Nick Olivieri. Their first studio work together since their Vista Chino days.

In a sense I’ve already reviewed this album when I reviewed Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 4. Though this “proper” version of the album - Stoners Rule - is the definitive version with much better sound production and a slightly different tracklisting. The 6 songs on offer show what Brant Bjork, Nick Olivieri and Ryan Gut delivering a classic Desert/Stoner Rock album that harks back to the good old days of KYUSS and some of the modern based work that Brant and Nick have released over the years.

STÖNER have gone into their own personal influences and musical archives for this release with the album showcasing different styles of Hard Rock/Metal with the band focusing on Blues Rock, Classic Rock, Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock. Throw in an abundance of Punk Rock attitude which perhaps comes mostly from Nick’s style of Outlaw Punk/Stoner Rock collection of grooves and ideas.

The album is quite a forward-thinking album with some of the lyrics STÖNER have released for this album. Maybe it’s a bit pretentious for a Stoner Rock band to call their album STONERS RULE but I’m fully 100% album title. Well, if I wasn’t then this blog wouldn’t exist they way it currently does. 

Stoners Rule is perhaps what the VIsta Chino album should have most definitely been. This record has a stronger set of songs with Rad Stays Rad, The Other Kids and Own Yer Blues laying down the groundwork and law for STÖNER to play a stunning array of different styles of Psych Stoner Rock with the band not afraid to move out genre conventions and bring a dirtier style of music to the forefront of the album.

The final 3 songs of Evel Never Dies, Stand Down and Tribe/Fly Girl allow STÖNER the opportunity to play some exciting music of their own and actually become a force to be reckoned with and all under the name of STÖNER. Tribe/Fly Girl is a 13 minute plus track that offers some of the most sombre and heaviest parts of the album. 

Stoners Rule is a beautifully made and soulful album that the world of Stoner Rock/Metal needs right now. With Brant, Nick and Ryan having long term plans for STÖNER, with tours planned in 2022. This could be another exciting chapter in the careers of the legendary musicians involved with STÖNER.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir for the promo. 

Stoners Rule is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Links:

Official | Instagram | BandCamp

STÖNER - Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 4 (Album Review)

Release Date: 30th April 2021. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format:CD/DD/Vinyl

Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 4 - Tracklisting

1.Rad Stays Rad

2.Nothin'

3.Own Yer Blues

4.The Older Kids

5.Evel Never Dies

6.Stand Down

7.Tribe / Fly Girl

Band Members:

Brant Bjork - Guitar/Vocals

Nick Olivieri - Bass/Vocals

Ryan Gut - Drums

Review

If you’re a serious fan of Stoner Rock/Metal and have been living under a rock for the past few months then you should have heard of STÖNER. The new band features Desert/Stoner Rock legends Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveiri. The guys are joined by Brant’s longtime drummer Ryan Gut. The band made their debut live performance within the recent series of LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT of Live Concerts and what can be classed as their debut full length album.

Not many bands release a Live Concert as their debut album but it’s good to see STÖNER do something different for their 1st official release. The album consists of 7 songs which all play to each individual member's strengths and it feels like a complete record because of this. The record features the familiar Desert/Stoner Rock grooves we expect from Brant and Nick from both of their celebrated lengthy careers. Though, the first few moments sound eerily like Brant’s recent studio output but given an “Outlaw Rock” makeover which Nick is primarily known for his solo work.

The first song - Rad Stays Rad - features classic Brant Bjork energy with that undeniable “KYUSS” Desert Rock classic aura leading it’s way through. The grizzled guitars, heavy drums and thumping bass bring a fresh 70s Punk Rock and Hard Rock flavour with the guys musical influences being used for good measure. WIth a band called STÖNER, it’s not necessarily all Stoner Rock/Metal with flashes of Punk Rock, Hard Rock and a dash of Blues Rock making things decidedly different. The lyrics are a strange affair but soon settle into a more adventurous style of storytelling with the music being the main highlight of the song.

Second song - Nothin’ - runs for under 3 minutes and is more BOOGIE ROCK orientated and it’s a groovy little number which could have easily came off the recent studio output of both Nick and Brant. There is a wicked 70s Rebellious Influence on this song and it’s quite easy not to be impressed by it all.

Third song - Own Yer Blues - is the perfect mix of Brant’s laid-back Blues Rock swagger and Nick’s muscular bass guitar moving the song into a more peaceful style of music. Though, you can tell by the rebellious lyrics that heavier things await and they do in the 2nd half of the song. It’s good hearing STÖNER trying a more conventional style of Blues Rock for this song. It’s not the most exciting track but it has some epic guitar solos and drum beats that make this song a real winner. The 2nd half brings a whole wave of distorted Psychedelic Stoner Rock and almost Doomed Out Desert Rock with a thumping performance from Nick.

Fourth song - The Older Kids - has a more reflective and mature attitude with STÖNER bringing in a pure 70s HARD RAWK SOUND to the party. The heavy bass from Nick is widely addictive and is one of his best performances i’ve heard since his QOTSA days. The song moves up a gear when the FUNK based riffs appear and the classic blend of Desert/Stoner vibes have a seedier attitude to them. The guys bring more volume and atmospherics to this song especially with the more outlandish Punk Rock and Psych Rock moments that appear towards the end of the song.

The final 3 songs on the album - Evel Never Dies, Stand Down, Tribe / Fly Girl - offer 22 minutes for STÖNER to convince you to join their Stoner Rock cause and perhaps play the best songs on the record. Evel Never Dies offers Nick the chance to sing lead vocals singing about Evel Knievel and Nick perhaps sees a kindred spirit within Evel Knievel and it’s a very cool PUNK ROCK sounding affair with some cool lyrics to match.

Tribe / Fly Girl is the best track on the album with STÖNER offering a more Prog Rock style of music with this song lasting over 13 minutes. STÖNER goes through a wide range of different sounds and genres on this track but still retains a fresh dynamic to it all. The song is quite soulful and beautifully heavy in all the right moments which ends this album on such a high note.

I felt letdown by VISTA CHINO which was the last time Brant and Nick last worked together. However, STONER is a winning album on all fronts. The band have released an album that builds and uses each individual musicians strengths to great advantage which allows the listener to be treated to a collection of superbly written and played songs.

Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 4 is a must have album for everyone who claims to be a fan or follower of Stoner Rock/Metal. When you have two of the legendary pioneering musicians from the genre reuniting for a new project then you know that project demands your undivided attention.

Well STÖNER are a band to be genuinely be very excited about and this is a “must have” record to own and add to your collection.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All NOIR PR for the promo.

Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 4 - will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl at Heavy Psych Sounds Records from April 30th 2021.

Links:

Official | Instagram | BandCamp