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Incubus
Incubus
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Incubus became one of the most popular alt-metal bands of the new millennium, setting themselves apart from a crowded field with a tireless touring ethic and a broad musical palette. Formed in 1991 in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Calabasas, CA, the band's early lineup was comprised of tenth-grade classmates Brandon Boyd (vocals, percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance; bass), and José Pasillas (drums). Their early funk-metal sound was heavily influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but broadened over the next few years to incorporate thrash, rap-metal, post-grunge rock, and grinding alt-metal à la Korn or the Deftones. By the time the musicians had graduated from high school, they had already been playing all-ages shows around Southern California on a regular basis. In 1995, Incubus added hip-hop turntablist DJ Lyfe (aka Gavin Koppel) to their lineup and recorded the independently released album Fungus Amongus. That, coupled with a strong local following, helped the band earn a deal with the Epic Records subsidiary Immortal.

Incubus' first major-label release was the six-song EP Enjoy Incubus, which was released in early 1997 and consisted of previous demos that were revamped in the studio. Their full-length debut album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E., followed before the year's end. Incubus then hit the road with a vengeance, opening for bands like Korn, Primus, 311, Sublime, and Unwritten Law. They had amassed enough of a following by 1998 to land a slot on that summer's Ozzfest tour, and they rounded out the year with a stint on Korn's inaugural Family Values tour, by which time DJ Lyfe had departed and been replaced by DJ Kilmore (first name Chris). With their momentum and exposure slowly building, Incubus returned to the studio and delivered their follow-up album, Make Yourself, in late 1999. The group went right back out on the road, and their stint on the 2000 Ozzfest helped cement the new audience that the band's new single, "Pardon Me," was pulling in.

Although Make Yourself barely broke the Top 50 on the album charts, it was a tenacious seller that eventually pushed past the double-platinum mark. The second single, "Stellar," was a smaller-sized hit on rock radio, but the album's biggest song didn't hit the airwaves until 2001, when "Drive" became their first Top Ten hit on the pop charts. Incubus expanded their audience by playing Moby's Area: One package tour that summer, and with "Drive" still fresh in the public's mind, they released Morning View during the fall of 2001. It entered the charts at number two, confirming that Incubus had diligently worked themselves into stardom. "Wish You Were Here," "Nice to Know You," and "Warning" were all popular on rock radio, and the band naturally toured heavily in support -- this time as a headliner.

In early 2003, Incubus became embroiled in a contract dispute with Sony and filed a lawsuit to have their deal terminated under California labor laws. In April, the band announced the departure of bassist Dirk Lance. Within days, fellow Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger called upon his Time Lapse Consortium mate Ben Kenney (who had also played with the Roots) to be Lance's permanent replacement. The group remained a part of the Sony empire, however, and released A Crow Left of the Murder on Epic/Immortal in early 2004, which hit number two on the Billboard Top 200. Touring dates followed before Incubus headed home in November to take a well-deserved break.

The guys spent the next two years individually exploring things outside of the band -- including music, art, film, and literature -- though they also remembered to work on and finish their sixth album, which was recorded over a year's time in both L.A. and Atlanta. The resulting record, Light Grenades, debuted atop the charts upon its release in November 2006. The musicians then returned to their individual endeavors, with Boyd announcing in early 2008 that the group had taken a loose hiatus. Nevertheless, the following year found them issuing the two-disc hits compilation Monuments and Melodies and returning to the road for a summer tour. ~ Steve Huey, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Incubus
"(Art)... rescues us from our self chosen triviality, to which we are so prone. It is like a de...
Songs: 4, Videos: 1, Playlists: 0, Blog Posts: 8, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (15)

Are You In?
(Duration: 3:33)
Jun 20th, 12:20am
Drive
(Duration: 3:54)
Jun 20th, 12:15am
Pardon Me
(Duration: 3:29)
Jun 20th, 12:43am
Anna Molly
(Duration: 3:49)
Jun 29th, 11:00pm
Stellar
(Duration: 3:25)
Jun 28th, 10:31pm
Warning
(Duration: 4:09)
Jun 28th, 11:38pm
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Fan Comments

Nov 26th, 6:58am
an open mind is the art of seeing beyond your imagination ... by: Kiki
Nov 6th, 10:54pm
I love the Incubus game!
Sep 20th, 2:04pm
I love your voice, so melodeous and pretty beautiful voice,,,,keep rocking guys......
Aug 11th, 4:47pm
The new album is phenominal!!!! Love and Admiration*8
Aug 7th, 1:05pm
Hi guys, just want to say your music are rock...
Jul 17th, 9:19pm
i just wanted to sayy that i love you guys dearly you guys are woah like theres not a word to describe how great you guys are. I also just wanted to say that i really enjoyed your concert on July 13th at the Hollywood bowl it was really really good i just wish i could of went to the after party to meet you guys in person. You guys are really good live if i could and if i had enough money i would fly and go see ALL your other concerts you guys have.

I LOVE you guys!

Peace, Love, Rock and Roll!
-Karla
Jul 16th, 7:25pm
if you have a .edu email address, you can get monuments and melodies for $7.99...recession friendly! check it out-www.incubus.skyroo.com
Jul 12th, 4:21pm
INCUBUS remains untouched and unmatched!!! Still the best band ever!!!
Jul 10th, 8:41am Last edited Jul 10th, 9:05am.
(wakes from deep sleep) " Is it August 8th yet? WTF! ( looks at calender, goes back to sleep) Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Jun 29th, 12:40pm
Love these Guys... Cant wait til they come to my part of town.. I will be their.. :)