Nick Oliveri, founding member of Kyuss and former member of Queens of the Stone Age, has plead not guilty to five charges over the weekend stemming from a drug-fuelled rampage he embarked on in July last year.
Facing up to court in Los Angeles, Nick Oliveri’s pre-trail date has been set for April 13th, where if convicted he faces up to 15 years in prison.
According to Noise Creep the charges facing the famous bass player include two counts of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.
In July last year, Nick Oliveri was involved in a five-hour standoff with SWAT officers at his Hollywood apartment after they were called on suspicion of domestic violence.
His girlfriend alleged that Nick Oliveri has hit hit repeatedly and had prevented her from leaving the house. Police at the time had feared earlier that he’d taken his girlfriend hostage, but several hours earlier the woman walked out of the house.
It isn’t the first time allegations of domestic violence have surrounded the controversial bassist however.
Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has revealed previously that he had sacked Nick Oliveri from the band when confronting the bassist after hearing reports he had been engaged in domestic violence.
Nick Oliveri’s arrest and forthcoming trial has forced his bandmates in Kyuss Lives! to resort to plan b by replacing him temporarily with Scott Reeder who was bassist with Kyuss in the early days.
“The essence of what Kyuss became was born with Nick on bass,” said Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork when hearing of Nick Oliveri’s arrest.
“But Nick has a lifestyle that can be very interesting at best – and when Nick is unable to fulfil an obligation, we have an amazing Plan B.”
If Oliveri is convicted Reeder’s position could well become permanent, although it is debatable as to whether Kyuss Lives! will continue playing live with Oliveri in jail.
