Nick Oliveri

Nick Oliveri (born October 21, 1971) is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He was a co-founder of legendary desert rock band Kyuss, and joined Queens of

Nick Oliveri (born October 21, 1971) is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He was a co-founder of legendary desert rock band Kyuss, and joined Queens of the Stone Age in 1998 as a vocalist and bass guitarist. Oliveri has also been involved with The Desert Sessions and the River City Rapists. His unique "howling" singing style made him easily distinguishable on songs such as "Six Shooter" from the Queens of the Stone Age album Songs for the Deaf, however, his vocal skills are shown off in QOTSA hits such as "Autopilot" and "Gonna Leave You".

After two albums and 6 years of touring with Queens of the Stone Age, he exited the group in early 2004 due to a conflict between him and frontman Joshua Homme. Nick allegedly developed a pattern of destructive behavior that Homme couldn't handle. Homme stated: "Everywhere we go, Nick is a like a whirlwind passing through. And I'm sick of being the one that has to clean up the mess all the time." Josh claimed that he was fed up with Oliveri's disrespect towards their fans and the destruction that he caused at gigs. However, a year later, Homme told Zane Lowe from Radio 1 that he and Nick had actually fallen out over several third party claims that Oliveri was violent towards his girlfriend. In 2005, Queens of the Stone Age released their first album after Oliveri's departure, Lullabies to Paralyze.