Interview © FreeCultureMag.com

02. Dezember 2010

Desert Heat

Masters of Reality unleash their plans for total destruction

Chris Goss formed the rock band Masters of Reality in 1981 and has had a somewhat off-and-on, revolving line up of musicians that have made up the group. The band fuses together classic and hard rock styles with a quasi-stoner rock vibe. With Goss being an established producer, this later led him to work with Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age, further stirring up the “desert rock” scene. Goss has also worked with such artists as Soulmax and Melissa Auf der Maur. Masters of Reality have released six studio albums, including 2009’s Pine/Cross Dover.

CULTURE recently spoke with Goss about his band’s West Coast tour, government-funded art and why he hates the term “stoner rock.”

Tell readers about the recent string of West Coast tour dates and how these live shows went

The string of West Coast shows were beyond my expectations. I am very excited because what’s coming is bound to be a complete surprise to everyone, including me. I have finally had the opportunity to choose my wish list of musicians who will not only tour the world with me, but also be playing on the next album. I’m a fan of Masters of Reality too, and can’t wait to hear their next album.

Tell us more about a new Masters of Reality album.

There is always a new album brewing in the back of my mind, and with the addition of [bassist] Abby Travis, [keyboardist] Mathias Schneeberger and [guitarist] Dave [Catching], it is going to be different. Exactly how, I’m not sure. But I guarantee one thing: we are going to destroy everything in our path.

You’ve done a lot of work in the music industry as a producer.
Can you tell us if there are any projects you are working on?
I am simultaneously producing three records at the moment; first, an
ongoing series of EPs with The Cult [for] which we’ve recorded eight tracks over the last 10 months when our schedules allow; second is a great bluesy band called Firebug. We resume recording in December in the desert. And third is an album with my friend, actress Missi Pyle. We are doing a country record that runs the gamut from tearjerkers to comedy. She is brilliant and sings like an angel, and I get to hang out with a beautiful actress that is hysterically funny, so I’m very busy and very happy right now.

Tell us about the connections/relationships you have with Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age. How and when did you become involved in that whole scene?

This story has been told many times, but in short, I saw a bunch of teens from the desert that played some of the best heavy rock ever, and I started producing a series of three of their albums in 1990. That relationship transformed into Queens of the Stone Age when Josh left Kyuss. The rest is well documented and the success of all of it has been mind-boggling ever since.

What does the term “stoner rock” mean to you?

That term means nothing to me. It’s probably as annoying as the
term “grunge” was. As far as I’m concerned, we play rock and roll
music in the tradition of a slew of bands before us. And that is rock
and roll that assaults the brain as well as the body with the
intelligence and thoughtfulness of true art.

Do you use cannabis? If so, what are your thoughts on legalization and the failed Proposition 19?

Yes, and only for the sacrament of playing and listening to great music.
Personally, I don’t mind that Prop. 19 failed. It should not have been made illegal in the first place. As soon as the government gets its stupid hands
on something, it will ruin it. I fear Big Brother f*#ing with the
molecular structure of cannabis in the name of safety or some other
similar bullshit. Next thing you know, your weed will have to be
government approved.