John Garcia and Bill Kelliher Collaborating on Stoner Rock Supergroup
Frontman John Garcia and guitarist Bill Kelliher of Mastodon have joined forces to create a stoner rock supergroup, much to the delight of their fans. Although there is no definitive timeline for the release of their music, Garcia shared some insights into the collaborative process and the talented team backing the project.
Garcia revealed that the idea for the collaboration stemmed from Rich Mullins and Nathan Lumbaugh, the original rhythm section of Karma to Burn. These musicians had impressed Garcia with their music when they opened for Kyuss in the early 90s, leading to a lasting friendship. The trio, composed of Garcia, Bill, Rich, and Nathan, got together in Atlanta to lay down tracks for the new venture. Despite the challenges of coordinating their busy schedules, they managed to produce six or seven solid tracks during their sessions.
Garcia heaped praise on guitarist Bill Kelliher, describing him as a living legend and a powerhouse of a guitar player. He admired Kelliher’s talent, work ethic, and family-oriented approach to life. The two musicians hit it off remarkably well, fostering a strong friendship that bodes well for the success of their collaboration. Garcia expressed hope that their music would see the light of day sooner rather than later, as they navigate through the complexities of balancing their various commitments.
The collaboration first came to light in a 2023 episode of The Rockman Power Hour, where host Jason Rockman revealed that Kelliher had approached him about the project. Garcia expressed his excitement about working with Bill, Rich, and Nathan, emphasizing his longstanding relationship with members of Karma to Burn and his eagerness to be a part of the new project.
Having worked with Kelliher’s engineering team in Atlanta, Garcia commended their wizardry and the impressive material that emerged from their sessions. While there are no concrete plans for the release of their music, Garcia remains optimistic about the future and the prospect of sharing their music with fans of Kyuss, Mastodon, and Karma to Burn. Whether the album drops in 2025 or beyond, it promises to be a thrilling blend of desert rock and doom metal, offering fans a tantalizing fusion of their favorite genres.