Stoner Rock

Stoner Rock Merchandise

Pounding rhythms, thundering guitars, whiskey-soaked voices. Stoner Rock holds a special place in the history of rock music. Musicians and fans of the scene are known as free spirits who celebrate life and its pleasures in a unique way. Characterized by a bass-heavy and heavily distorted guitar sound, Stoner Rock is considered a hybrid mix of many different music genres. Punk, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Blues, Grunge – if you enjoy handmade music with a slight retro touch and a well-measured rough edge, you’ll find delight in Stoner Rock.

The History of Stoner Rock

In the early 90s, a new psychedelic-tinged scene formed in and around Palm Desert, California. Inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, music groups emerged that focused on the raw fundamentals of rock music: loudness, distorted guitars, and the consumption of mind-altering substances. Often, they would gather for spontaneous jam sessions in the desert. Fueled by LSD, marijuana, and mushrooms, new and innovative works were created, paving the way for many upcoming Stoner Rock bands. The Soundgarden debut ULTRAMEGA OK from 1988 is considered one of the first true Stoner Rock albums. The genre was also significantly shaped by the band Kyuss. Active from 1987 to 1995, Kyuss gained popularity over several years, eventually landing an opening spot for Metallica. After their breakup, singer and mastermind Josh Homme founded Queens Of The Stone Age, perhaps the most successful band of the genre to date. Multiple Grammy nominations and awards for best live act by NME and Q Awards underscore this. Many modern bands mix the musical style with other genres like Alternative, Indie, or Hard Rock. Examples include Eagles of Death Metal, Orange Goblin, and Mammoth Mammoth. However, there are still bands like Fu Manchu that cherish and maintain the classic Stoner Rock style.