The term desert rock has been most often used to describe bands from the Californian Palm Desert Scene. It is from this music scene that some of the first stoner rock bands emerged, particularly Kyuss. Their music is typically performed with electric guitar, bass guitar and a drum kit, and often contains elements of psychedelic rock, Latin American music and repetitive drum beats. Josh Homme's series of musical collaborations, The Desert Sessions...
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The term desert rock has been most often used to describe bands from the Californian Palm Desert Scene. It is from this music scene that some of the first stoner rock bands emerged, particularly Kyuss. Their music is typically performed with electric guitar, bass guitar and a drum kit, and often contains elements of psychedelic rock, Latin American music and repetitive drum beats. Josh Homme's series of musical collaborations, The Desert Sessions, often showcase elements of this style.
The term was previously applied, in the 1980s, to a music scene centered in neighbouring Arizona, particularly Tucson. The music of these bands was quite similar to the Californian bands. It mixed traits of psychedelic rock, punk rock and country music and contained long, epic instrumental passages. The lyrics referred to drifters, eccentrics and other people living on the margins. This scene had strong ties to the Los Angeles scene, most notably to the Paisley Underground, and some relocated there.
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