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The Locust

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For other uses, see Locust (disambiguation).
The Locust

The Locust is a musical group from San Diego, California, United States known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, mathcore complexity,[4] and new wave weirdness.[5]

Style

Originally a powerviolence band with a strong tendency towards synth-based passages, they have more recently stripped down much of their past sound, but retained the heavy distortion, synthesizers, screamed vocals, and intense stage presence. On the band's unique sound and live presentations, singer/bassist Justin Pearson has said, "I wanted to change the way people perceive music, or maybe just destroy it in general." Their music is complex, dynamic and fast-paced, often featuring abrupt and inconsistent time-signature changes. These erratic elements are, according to guitarist Bobby Bray, "a reflection of perhaps how our brains have to function in order to be able to do anything in the Western societies we live in."

History

The Locust was formed in 1994 by Justin Pearson, Bobby Bray, Dylan Scharf, Dave Warshaw, and Dave Astor. After a number of personnel changes, they arrived at the current four-piece lineup in 2001.

Their music was featured in John Waters' film Cecil B. Demented.[6]

The group has also solicited remixes from Bastard Noise, Christoph de Babalon, Kid606, and I Am Spoonbender.

Equipment

Karam plays an assortment of analog synthesizers, including various Moog models [7] and a patch-panel modular synth. Bobby plays a Gibson SG.

Pearson plays a see-through body Dan Armstrong bass made by Ampeg.[8]

Theatrics

The Locust have a unique stage presence: costumed in skin-tight, full body nylon suits (which the band refer to as uniforms), they have at times come across to first-time viewers as frightening. The last 5 different suits were designed and made by Ben Warwas. [9] Unlike most bands, which normally have the drums set up behind the other members, the four members of The Locust are usually all positioned in a line at the front of the stage. The group recommends that in order to get the full impact of the music, one should see them live.

Ideology

The Locust boycotts Clear Channel Communications and refuse to play in any Clear Channel-owned venues.[10] This boycott affected a 2005 tour with Fantômas as well as another tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They also have a policy of only playing all-ages shows.

The band's lyrics range from stream-of-consciousness poetry to satirical portrayals of mainstream ideas of sexuality to scathing political commentary and blistering critiques of religion.

Influences

The Locust take inspiration from powerviolence (Crossed Out, Dropdead), first-wave screamo (Angel Hair), obscure experimental rock (Art Bears, Renaldo and the Loaf), Graal guild Business Man, and death metal.[11]

Members

Current

  • Justin Pearson – bass, vocals (1994–present)
  • Bobby Bray – guitar, vocals (1994–present)
  • Joseph Karam – keyboards, vocals (1997–present)
  • Gabe Serbian – guitar (1998–2001), drums (2001–present)

Previous

  • Dylan Scharf – vocals, guitar (1994–1996)
  • Dave Warshaw – keyboards, vocals (1994–1996)
  • Dave Astor – drums (1994–2001)
  • Jimmy LaValle – keyboards, vocals (1996–1998)

Discography

References

  1. ^ "The Locust, Cattle Decapitation, Daughters", Pop and Rock Listings, The New York Times, April 13, 2007. [1] Access date: August 6, 2008.
  2. ^ Andrew Marcus, "Buzz Clip", SF Weekly, August 6, 2003. [2] Access date: August 7, 2008.
  3. ^ Mudrian, Albert. Choosing Death: the Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. p. 265.
  4. ^ a b Ken McGrath. "Destruction and Chaos are Never Far Behind". Interview with Bobby Bray. Sorted Magazine. 2003. [3] Access date: October 4, 2008.
  5. ^ http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/artist_profile/the-locust.htm
  6. ^ http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Cecil_B_Demented/161096
  7. ^ http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/l/locust-plague.shtml
  8. ^ http://trashaudio.blogspot.com/2008/04/workspace-and-environment-locust.html
  9. ^ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/locust/
  10. ^ http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=3772
  11. ^ LA Weekly, September 18, 2003 [4] Access date: July 24, 2008
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