Brant Bjork

Brant Bjork was born on March 19, 1973, in Redlands, California. He is recognized as a central figure in the Palm Desert scene, primarily known as the drummer and a founding member of the influential Californian stoner rock band Kyuss. Bjork’s work with Kyuss began in 1987, alongside friends Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, John Garcia, and Chris Cockrell, initially forming as Katzenjammer before evolving into Sons of Kyuss and eventually Kyuss. The band’s move to Los Angeles in 1990 led to their debut album, “Wretch,” in 1991, followed by a signing with Elektra Records, which brought desert rock to an international audience. Bjork was a key creative force in Kyuss, contributing significantly to songwriting, including tracks such as “Green Machine” and “50 Million Year Trip (Downside Up)”. He left Kyuss in 1994 after the release of “Welcome to Sky Valley,” due to creative differences.

After his departure from Kyuss, Bjork continued his career by playing with various bands and establishing his independent label, El Camino Records, later known as Duna Records. Through this label, he released projects he was involved in, such as De-Con’s 1995 album “Balls for Days,” where he played drums, and produced Solarfeast’s 1995 debut “Gossamer.” He later joined former Kyuss bandmate Josh Homme in The Desert Sessions, contributing on guitar, bass, drums, and percussion across several volumes from 1997 to 1999. In 1997, Bjork also played guitar for the hardcore punk band LAB and for Fatso Jetson, appearing on their 1998 split EP with Fu Manchu. Concurrently, he was the drummer for Nick Oliveri’s metal band Mondo Generator from 1997 to 2004, contributing to albums like “Cocaine Rodeo” (2000) and “A Drug Problem That Never Existed” (2003).

Bjork officially joined Fu Manchu in 1997, having previously produced their 1994 debut album “No One Rides for Free.” He recorded on all Fu Manchu albums until 2001’s “California Crossing,” including “King of the Road” (2000). In 1999, Bjork launched a solo career with his album “Jalamanta,” performing all instruments. He also co-founded the short-lived stoner rock band Ché, releasing “Sounds of Liberation” in 2000. Throughout the 2000s, Bjork released several solo albums, often performing most instruments himself, and formed Brant Bjork and the Bros. In 2010, he reunited with former Kyuss members to form Kyuss Lives!, later renamed Vista Chino, releasing the album “Peace” in 2013. He continued his prolific solo work, releasing albums such as “Mankind Woman” (2018) and “Brant Bjork” (2020), and in 2020, co-founded the power trio Stöner.