Formed from the ashes of the psych/sludge band Cruevo, and preceding guitar player Paul Kott’s work in Sleep's Matt Pike-fronted Bay Area metal "supergroup" Kalas, High Tone Son of a Bitch is an innovative, psychedellic stoner/doom band that pulls together a number of influential musicians from bands like Kalas, Cruevo, Noothgrush, Alaric, Christ on Parade, Hammers of Misfortune, Men of Porn, Melvins, Hawkwind, Neurosis, Saviours, Necrot, The Skull, Witch Mountain, Sleep, High on Fire, Worshipper, and others. After lead guitarist and Paul Kott's brother Andrew Kott died in 2007 at 26 years old, HTSOB's announced 2005 hiatus was assumed to be permanent. The band reformed in 2019 with most surviving core members intact and a large cast of contributing Bay Area musicians collaborating on studio efforts.