Masters of Reality

Masters of Reality

Masters of Reality is a rock group from Syracuse, United States, formed in 1981 by guitarist, producer and singer Chris Goss and Tim Harrington. The band is associated with the Palm Desert scene and with stoner rock and desert rock, alongside acts such as Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age. It takes its name from Black Sabbath’s album Master of Reality.

History and line-up

The first line-up consists of Chris Goss, Tim Harrington, Vinnie Ludovico and Googe. That version ends in 1989, after which the band continues with changing personnel. Ginger Baker joins for the second album, Sunrise on the Sufferbus, recorded in 1992, and the band later has a Top 10 single with “She Got Me (When She Got Her Dress On)”. Baker leaves the following year, and Victor Indrizzo, then drummer with Circus of Power, takes over the drum chair.

Style and related work

Masters of Reality moves across a wide range of rock styles, including stoner metal, progressive art rock and Beatlesque pop. Chris Goss is also a producer, with credits including Kyuss, Soulwax, Melissa Auf der Maur and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, and he works with a number of other acts from the Palm Desert scene and beyond.

Collaborations and later releases

The connection with Queens of the Stone Age leads to the collaborative album Deep in the Hole in 2001, followed two years later by the live album Flak 'n' Flight. The group remains active with a changing line-up that has included Chris Goss, Tim Harrington, Vinnie Ludovico, Googe, John Leamy, Ginger Baker, Victor Indrizzo, Brendon McNichol and Mr. Owl.