Sweden's Lowrider came together in the mid-'90s when bassist/vocalist Peder Bergstrand and vocalist/lead guitarist Ole Hellquist hooked up guitarist Niclas Stalfors and drummer Andreas Eriksson. Following a split-CD release with fellow stoner rockers Nebula in 1998, the band delivered their full-length debut Ode to Io in the year 2000. Alternately praised and condemned profusely by critics, its impressive songwriting chops were overshadowed by the group's blatant creative debt to desert rock pioneers Kyuss. Understandably, this controversy continues to both plague and define the band. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia