If the term workaholic were to ever be applied to a person, Mondo Generator’s Nick Oliveri would definitely be the first applicant. After banging away on the bass guitar through the quality years of Kyuss, Oliveri joined the Dwarves. His credit list is already quite respectable considering that Kyuss pioneered stoner rock, but the credits continue. After Josh Homme’s departure effectively discontinued Kyuss, and Homme re-polished his creativity, jamming with members of Soundgarden and Screaming Trees (too name a few), he rejoined Oliveri, and the two commenced work on numerous projects. Namely two, Queens of the Stone Age (which sported mostly Homme on lead vocal) and Mondo Generator (which played Oliveri out in front). Dissatisfied with the Generator sessions, the two pursued Queens two its current critically acclaimed location.

Between the Queen’s sessions, the two gave Generator a well deserved second listen and liked what they heard. After passing the tapes to a friend at an indie label, Mondo Generator was born.

Conceived initially as a studio project, the Oliveri and Homme had only hoped to crank out an album then continue on their busy ways. However, Generator’s first album “Cocaine Rodeo” spawned some interest and the band played one off shows normally consisting of a loaded band featuring Dave Grohl and Twiggy Ramirez (too name a few.)

Now in 2003 the band once again reconvened, albeit retaining only Oliveri, with the album “A Drug Problem That Never Existed.” The first thing one must know about the project is the fact that the differences in influence and drive of Homme and Oliveri show through on these projects. Homme is a experimental rock guitarist with a PhD in stoner and grunge type music formats with a Screaming Trees Mark Lanegan type smooth, soft vocal approach. Oliveri on the other hand is much more screaming hardcore punk driven, which is incredibly evident even on the Queen’s songs he lead vocals on.

With that knowledge in hand we explore our drug problem.

This album will throw multiple vocal and musical styles at you and refuse to be “genre-ized.” “Open Up and Bleed” provides a credible backdrop to the title, characterized by a jamming riff and Oliveri’s trademark crazy talk meets screaming vocal style. But no point in settling into that groove.

“Four Corners” recruits Screaming Tree’s ex Mark Lanegan to lay some vocals over a nice slow Tool meets Screaming Trees musical arrangement, with periodic inserts vocally by Oliveri in his usual vocal style. “Day I Die” keeps a similar feel though a bit more on the Trees side with Oliveri nailing some decent vocal work similar to John Frusciante’s solo project vocals with the same excellent guitar arrangements.

And why stay there with some many other genre’s to cover. How about a tribute to classic punk rock, slowed a bit, with a mini injection of the Ramones. “Jr. High Love” even manages a southern rock/blues solo. “Girls Like Christ” is another fun experiment of a track that has no real musical value. “Do the Headright” keeps Oliveri’s scream in the listenable range and matches it with a Weezer like guitar riff which makes for an interesting match which will be attempted again on “So High, So Low” with less success overall though it sports a catchy verse.

Some tracks are a bit of a stretch, even for die hard fans of the guys numerous projects. Tracks like “Me and You” are structured around a central riff and rant screaming by Oliveri that’s hardly discernible. Although I must admit the sight on the tracklisting of the song “Meth I Hear You Calling” brought a smile to face.

“Detroit” teases the listener with what may be the most unique and quality track on the record. Ripping off a Ween like sound, the track slowly draws it’s own creative nique. The track teases because “All I Can Do” musically and lyrically hits the listener with a baseball bat. Sporting some female harmonizing and a acoustic guitar, the track features Oliveri trying his dandiest at lead vocal and doing a decent job.

“Like You Want” gives an 80’s choppy hair band vocal and musical style with an Oliveri twist while “F$%# You I’m Free” sounds like it may have been an Oliveri sung Queen’s outtake.

Overall if you’re expecting a Queens record you are far from home. One commercially successful project is all the guys want. These records sport gems and give the guys a break from the road. A dedicated listener will find some nice tracks, but you’ll have to be patient and put up with the boys humor for a bit. But overall an average day at the studio for a stoner rock legend.


Recommended: Yes