The Locust
| The Locust | |
|---|---|
 Justin Pearson (bassist) in concert. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | San Diego, California |
| Genres | Noise rock,[1] powerviolence,[2] grindcore[3] |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Three One G |
| Associated acts | The Crimson Curse, Holy Molar, Cattle Decapitation, Tarantula Hawk, Some Girls, Head Wound City, Swing Kids, Le Shok, One Day as a Lion |
| Members | Justin Pearson Gabe Serbian Bobby Bray Joey Karam |
| Past members | Dylan Scharf Dave Warshaw Jimmy LaValle Dave Astor |
The Locust is a musical group from San Diego, California, United States known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, complexity, and new wave weirdness.[4]
Contents |
Style [edit]
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 [edit]
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.[5]
The group has also solicited remixes from Bastard Noise, Christoph de Babalon, Kid606, and I Am Spoonbender.
The Locust will perform at ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror festival, on May 4, 2013, at Alexandra Palace in London.
Equipment [edit]
Karam plays an assortment of analog synthesizers, including various Moog models[6] and a patch-panel modular synth. Bobby plays a Gibson SG, and Pearson plays a see-through body Dan Armstrong bass made by Ampeg.[7] Gabe Serbian plays Ludwig drums, with Sabian Cymbals.
Theatrics [edit]
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.[8] 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 [edit]
The Locust boycotts Clear Channel Communications and refuse to play in any Clear Channel-owned venues.[9] 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 political commentary and critiques of religion.
Influences [edit]
The Locust take inspiration from powerviolence (Crossed Out, Dropdead), obscure experimental rock (Art Bears, Renaldo and the Loaf), and death metal.[10]
Members [edit]
Current [edit]
- Justin Pearson – bass, vocals (1994–present)
- Bobby Bray – guitar, vocals (1994–present)
- Joey Karam – keyboards, vocals (1997–present)
- Gabe Serbian – guitar (1998–2001), drums (2001–present)
Previous [edit]
- Dylan Scharf – vocals, guitar (1994–1996)
- Dave Warshaw – keyboards, vocals (1994–1996)
- Dave Astor – drums (1994–2001)
- Jimmy LaValle – keyboards, vocals (1996–1998)
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
- The Locust (1998)
- Plague Soundscapes (2003)
- New Erections (2007)
- The Peel Sessions (2010)
EPs [edit]
- The Locust (1997)
- Flight of the Wounded Locust (2001)
- Well I'll Be a Monkey's Uncle (2002)
- Follow the Flock, Step in Shit (2003)
- Safety Second, Body Last (2005)
Splits [edit]
- split with Man Is the Bastard (1995)
- split with Jenny Piccolo (1995)
- split with Arab on Radar (2000)
- split with Melt-Banana (2002)
Compilations [edit]
- Molecular Genetics from the Gold Standard Labs (2012)
References [edit]
- ^ The New York Times, April 13, 2007. "The Locust, Cattle Decapitation, Daughters", Pop and Rock Listings, Access date: August 6, 2008.
- ^ Andrew Marcus, "Buzz Clip", SF Weekly, August 6, 2003. Access date: August 7, 2008.
- ^ Mudrian, Albert. Choosing Death: the Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. p. 265.
- ^ "The Locust - Artist Profile". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ "Cecil B. Demented". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ Potts, Ryan. "The Locust: Plague Soundscapes - PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ "We've Moved To TrashAudio.com !!: Workspace and Environment: The Locust". Trashaudio.blogspot.com. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ "Bands and Performers: The Locust". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ LA Weekly, September 18, 2003, Access date: July 24, 2008
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Allmusic biography
- Myspace page
- ANTI-Records bio
- LA Weekly interview
- Audio interview with Justin Pearson (Jekyll and Hyde, Israel)
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