“Oh yeah, I was very surprised at the response,” says Garcia of the fateful European tour, that led to the current reformation. “Last time we were there, we were with Metallica, over a decade ago. I was also surprised by the reaction in Australia and still continue to be surprised by the reactions towards Kyuss Lives. It hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated, especially not by me. You’ve got to be honest with yourself and I’m super lucky I can go down there and do what I do and play the songs we play, and have two people show up, let alone five thousand. I’m in awe of it. Just in awe. It’s a good feeling.”
No matter what the factors were that resulted in their original break-up – (“I don’t think it’s probably too relevant to get into. That’s my personal opinion,” he says) – Garcia is ecstatic to be back recording and performing with Bjork and Oliveri and hopes to be still rocking out with them for many years to come.
“Well, I’m a fan of Brant Bjork and I’ve always been a fan of Brant Bjork,” he enthuses. “This was only supposed to be initially a short thing, to revisit and celebrate the past. It became extended, and halfway through, somewhere at the beginning of that extension, I realised that I wanted to play music with Brant Bjork full time. I wanted to be in a band with Brant and Bruno, [Bruno Fevery, who used to play in a Kyuss tribute band, was welcomed into the fold, when he played alongside Garcia for the Garcia Plays Kyuss European tour] and Nick. I hoped that they would oblige, because that fix and that void needed to be filled. When I’m on stage with the guys or when I‘m in a studio with them, it is filled and that is my fix. Brant Bjork has more integrity, more musical integrity, in his little finger than most have in their whole body. His ideology and philosophical views on music and life are inspiring. I’m a fan of Brant’s, I’m a fan of Nick’s, I’m a fan of Bruno. It was a no brainer for me.”
Unfortunately, however, the reformation has not come without controversy. After touring Europe, Australasia, and North and South America under the name Kyuss Lives and announcing plans to record an album together, the boys found themselves being sued by former band members Josh Hommes and Scott Reeder, sighting trademark infringement. Because of this, their appearance at Soundwave Festival will be the last time the band perform under the Kyuss Lives moniker. They relaunch under the name Vista Chino later in 2013, with the release of their new album and all new music.
“We’re in the process of recording the new band, Vista Chino. We’re almost there – the music is almost done and I start vocals on January 1. I look forward to and I am very curious as to what it’s going to sound like myself. It’s definitely going to be a rock record and when you have someone like Brant Bjork on board and writing some of the songs that he has written, even if there are no vocals on it, it’s not going to suck. My hat’s off to Brant for some of the compositions he has submitted to me. It’s given me a nice pallet to do my pieces on, so January 1 I’m going in and very excited.”
Are they looking forward to rocking crowds at the Soundwave Festival? “It’s always a pleasure,” nods Garcia. “It feels great. It feels very natural. I’m just really stoked to be doing it. Especially with someone like Brant Bjork and Bruno Fevery, as well as Nick Oliveri. We’re in a great place and it’s been very, very good.”
When not playing the Soundwave Festival, there’s a chance you might see John Garcia and his family loitering suspiciously outside random residences across the country. No, there’s no need to lock up your valuables. You see, they are on the prowl to find their ideal second home, and if they can possibly stretch the finances, they have it on their New Year’s wish list, that they’d like it to be in Australia.
“Yeah, my wife and I want to move there,” laughs, Garcia. “Your country is phenomenal, it’s beautiful. If there was ever a chance for my wife and I and our family to have a second home it would be down in Australia. So yes, we’re going to come back. I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to afford to buy a second home, but musically if ever I have anything to do with it, we will be back there.”
BY HEIDI LEIGH AXTON
