Band Bio

Official Incubus Band Biography

"(Art)... rescues us from our self chosen triviality, to which we are so prone. It is like a deep organ note that makes my hair stir and a shiver run through me. I 'pull back' from life, like a camera taking a long shot with a wide angle lens. I quite simply become aware of more reality than before." -Colin Wilson (The Occult)

When I first read this quote, it truly effected me. I felt like someone had finally spoken an iota of truth about creativity and the process it allows to both the creator and the observer. It helped certainties that I have held dear for so long, resonate even deeper within me. And it inevitably made me muse about what we do as a band and group of friends who come together and through a symbiotic chaos of sorts make art and sound. The gratitude I and my friends feel is beyond measure. Gratitude for the experience itself and gratitude to the people who have lent us their attention, if even for three and half minutes.

Now on our sixth album, we (Incubus) have been writing music together long enough that there is a sense of perspective available that has only come to us with time. Some of our earlier works, though pure and even fun at times, lent to a sense of disorganization; a readily apparent lack of focus in my opinion. I have always said, "Yeah, we suck...but we're really good at it!"

'Light Grenades' is a very new perspective for Incubus. Working, once again, with Super Producer, 'Brendan O'Brien', we spent more time crafting, and sculpting these songs than we ever have historically. Every album we had ever made was written in eight weeks and recorded in eight weeks. A long time by some standards, but alarmingly brief by most. It's not that we were rushed, we just like working quickly. We wrote twenty-something songs during this sitting. Like proof readers on meth, we devoured songs and only let them live if they excited, surprised and inspired us all! In a nut shell, it took about a year.

'Dig' was toiled over the most I remember because it is the kind of song that is completely new to us. Structurally, integrally, and fundamentally different. And thank- f******- God. Lyrically, it's a nod to camaraderie. And without pepperin' ya'lls interpretation of it too much, it speaks to the importance of forgiveness and compassion. Little alien concepts that some choose to toy with on occasion.

'A Kiss to Send Us Off' shows Incubus in our most primal incarnation. It floors you but simultaneously leaves you thinking. But seriously, that song puts my balls in a vacuum cleaner hose and turns the power to 12. It hurts sometimes, but it leaves my balls satisfied and clean. Think about THAT!

'Anna-Molly' delivers a similar push but has a far more sophisticated bent, in that it rocks, but conjures imagery of a girl that I can see in my minds eye but most likely doesn't exist. Therefore being a bit of an anomaly. I guess that is relatively sophisticated...right? F***. I actually hate trying to explain what these or any of our songs mean! And it's really not fair for me to condescend to do that in the first place. If you care to, let them be about whatever you want. Our single, 'Megalomaniac' from our last album (A Crow Left Of the Murder) was interpreted in ways that I never intended. It wasn't far from home base, but was nowhere near as case specific as it seemed. Which is fine with us. Good! Think of it what you will. And for doG's sake, start your own band!

While home over the past two years, we had a chance to unpack for the first time in almost a decade. Isn't it interesting that to so many people we are a new band, while we have been writing music together, for better or worse, for fifteen years now. Coming home in November of 2004 was an important decision. Not only were we road weary and dried up, but each one of us in his own way needed to step back from the monster that we had created and re-access what had transpired.

Michael Einziger, in his down time, wrote original music for a surf documentary entitled 'Flow' (Directed by Josh Landon) and was nominated at XDance film festival for best original score. I peed on the same tree as well, but lent my speaking voice to narrate the story of said documentary. And yes, I sounded f****** sexy. Michael also lent his producing skills to his brother's band, Agent Sparks, and is also currently involved with the scores of several motion pictures.

I have been feverishly working on the follow up to my self published book entitled, 'White Fluffy Clouds', and expect the newbie to be available for criticism by December of 2006. 'From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss' is a compendium of images both real and unreal; painted, photographed, scratched and typed.

Jose Pasillas has been exploring his love of art in mixed mediums from canvas, to computer and everything in between. And by day he happily frolics through the grasslands of his hometown with his two feline friends. (Total hippy.)

DJ Chris Kilmore spent the past few years expanding upon his already stellar reputation as a world class DJ by learning and incorporating a bevy of new instruments into our fold. Turntables, the Theremin, and Moog keys have been creeping into our collective via Chris for some time. But the Guitar-o-phone, Mellotron, Fender Roads, and the kitchen sink are welcomed suprises! Thanks Kil.

Ben Kenney has been writing music and performing with his side project, 'The Division Group', and produced the latest album from a young band called 'The Smyrk'.

All this and we still managed to conceive and carry out what I believe to be our most worthy album to date. If ever asked which album I preferred personally in our arsenal of sound, I would invariably tell you that I most liked whatever was the latest. But this time, I really mean it!

I think I can speak for my band when I say that we are interested in movement, experimentation and freedom. Being in this band has allowed us the freedom to move in and around other artistic endeavors. Like meandering streams we each wandered off over the past two years; only to be drawn unconsciously back to the ocean where all streams converge. And thus composed 'Light Grenades', our sixth studio album.

What I am getting at (sort of) is that art has rescued us in many ways. Through circumstance, chance, good fortune, a teeny, weeny bit of talent, and an ardor for expressivity, Incubus has survived long enough to garnish a perspective onto itself. "Like a camera taking a long shot with a wide angle lens," we conjured 'Light Grenades'; a forty-seven and some odd seconds long bulbous mass of sound and intention captured on tape. 'Light Grenades' that explode with consciousness, light, art and mind. If you enjoy it, we thank you. If not? Then my dog is French and he already pooped under your pillow.

Brandon
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to give back" - Incubus

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Comment by Shindana on December 20, 2010 at 5:36pm: This is my first time reading the band bio, I have yet to post a picture. But, I just jumped on the Bandwagon at Monuments and Melodies. Eventhough, I knew who they were every since "Drive", "Wish You We're Here" I have gotten to the other albums, but I think they are like discounted prices, if you go to there facebook page. I hope the special will last until Thursday.

And it seems like everybody Loves, Brandon, so I guess it doesn't feels so weird.

Comment by gerilyn pajuleras on November 18, 2010 at 6:34pm: love you brandon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Juliana Zayas on October 14, 2010 at 1:44pm: brandon you are, and you will always be an inspiration to me!

INCUBUS MAKE US BELIEVE

Comment by Michelle Ann Stevens on June 29, 2010 at 3:20pm: Your words are pure art and its in my fascination to listen to your music daily! My interpertation may not be ideal to what you expceted people like myselfs to be but like you said...in my own words i suppose,,,,take it how you wanna take it. I have not only been a fan for a long while but have gained so much respect for you all as people for what you do with this foundation and im more than supportive...cheeersss to you!!!

Comment by Maria Barounis on June 29, 2010 at 12:48am: First, I just want to thank all of you guys for being f****** awesome and doing what you do. I saw Incubus in concert at PNC Bank Arts Center in Jersey when you were on tour for Light Grenades, and it was an unimaginable experience. YOU GUYS ROCK AND HAVE INSPIRED ME SO MUCH! Thanks for having a part in my rescue. <3 always

Comment by tosh_lem on June 6, 2010 at 5:45am: You guys ROCK....Big Fan!

Comment by TheDjSonik on May 4, 2010 at 2:45pm: The music produced by this band; contains all of the most influential lyrics, beats, and melodies to me in my music writing process.

Thank you guys, for everything.
The five of you have sent chills down my spine time, and time again with your music; Since my early childhood till' today.
From the clever choice of words (Brandon), to the experimental sounds of the Turntables (Chris), you gentlemen inspired me to sell all of my mind numbing Video Games, and truly invest my life in music.

...and now four years into my producing career, I couldn't be happier. My only remaining hope is that one day i can thank you all in person ^^;.

Respect and love

~Nicholas Scyoc
(Dj Sonik)

Comment by Galang firmansyah on April 24, 2010 at 8:25pm: I really enjoy the music that you make, so keep making good songs, because I'll always enjoy your songs Incubus, brandon, mike, jose, chris, I was amazed at all of you, continue to create works Your works. . success always for you Incubus. . .

Comment by stephen g. clark on April 23, 2010 at 1:20am: sounds like u guys haven't been busy enough for ur own good. if u ask me my fav album of urs is a tie between make yourself and fungus amongus. u say y like to give back and i've seen this. i ask of u very politelly to help me and my friends pull off the biggest game of dodgeball ever in the history of competative sports. we r doing this all for any foundation centered over leuchimia reseach and aid. we would love to make this happen on such a large scale in Chicago and i believe u can make it happen for sure. maybe get a chance to play soldier field. well if this is entirely possible than let me know and join our facebook group "record breaking dodgeball fight", created by my good friend ben and run by all my closest friends, including myself. this is how i would like to make myself and w/ ur help it could happen.

Comment by Liz Geffert on February 23, 2010 at 11:03pm: To Brandon and all of Incubus, in many ways your art has rescued all of your fans and listeners as well. For me , whatever mood I am in or whatever gets me down can be felt or eased through your music. I live in Arizona, a place with no ocean, but if I close my eyes and listen to Wish You Were Here , the ocean is at my feet. As Brandon said, let them be about what ever you want. Isn't that the beauty of art? It can bend or appeal to anyone based on one's perspective. And through anyone's eyes it is beautiful. Through my eyes what makes your music beautiful to me is the knowlege that you men have passion not only for art but for humanity and nature as well. Thank you for all that you do. And Brandon, your voice... WHEW! ;)

Comment by Sheila Martins on January 17, 2010 at 5:29pm: Thank you all for every music that makes me smile, cry, meditate, wake up, sleep, dream and live all that your songs make me feel. Thanks God for your gift!

Comment by rvplaza on January 14, 2010 at 7:05pm: HI.......BOYD IM SO GREAT FULL....TO SEE U IN PERSON...MAYBE WHEN I SEE UN PERSON TO PERSON I WILL GET PEICE OF EGG TO SMACK TO UR HEAD..UR MUSIC S MY INSPIRATION WHEN IM IN WRK..ROCK..ON CHARLES...can u add me in n ur MSN rvargawanon18@yahoo.com.ph can we chat in my YM...PLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Comment by Vivian Schmidt dos Santos on January 7, 2010 at 6:51pm: Finaly, a complete band! thank you!

Comment by Judyliz on December 31, 2009 at 2:38pm: THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC, INCUBUS !!

Comment by Chelsea Roberts on October 29, 2009 at 10:10am: Thank you Brandon Boyd, Michael Einziger, Jose Pasillas II, Chris Kilmore, and Ben Kenney. You all make every day worth going that extra mile.

Comment by Brack on October 27, 2009 at 9:15am: Hi guys, I will keep it brief,
I would just like to add a male (among many female ) point of view. Like the girls above have said already.... but your music has totally changed me, so thanks,.... i needed changing! =)
~ Brack ~ (the London guy)

Comment by Claudia Ramirez on September 25, 2009 at 8:03am: To all the members of Incubus- you guys f***** rock. There is no question about it. Every one of you is inspirational and you guys make some pretty f***** stellar music that I listen to pretty much everyday. I finally got to see you guys in concert in August in Tampa and it was the best show I have EVER been too, I enjoyed it soooooo much and it was an experience I will surely never forget. Next time you guys come to town I will be for sure front and center and enjoying every second of it! I'm sure you guys will have success in all of your endeavors so keep rockin it guys- Thanks so much for creating your amazing music for so long now---I wish I lived in Cali to go see your exhibit Brandon!! I love u guys you're frigin awesome!!!!!

Comment by Sofía Paz on August 27, 2009 at 8:21am: (sorry if I made a mistake in my wrinting)...
...ten years ago I heard a group that changed my life...definitely! But I didn't know who was singing and who was playing the instruments in that wonderful way. Two years after, you INCUBUS became in my best friends. You went with me at the university, I mean: no friends, new people, everything is new!!! That year "Morning View" and all your songs travelled with me as my company...your lyrics accidentally) were my inspiration to continue the new time in my life: with my family, my studies, my friends and the most important with LOVE!
For all these important things, I'm hearing you right now! And I know that if something happens YOU WILL BE THERE Smiling
So, thanks God to give me ten hands that can play music and one voice (and company) that gives me the energy and passion every day.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
BRANDON, MIKE, BEN, JOSE, CHRIS… THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU………….
MIL GRACIAS POR SU ARTE.

Comment by Michelle on August 23, 2009 at 11:49am: Brandon, you have a beautiful mind and I truly appreciate every piece you share with us! Your words are MY clever medicine...you are my mental paradise and i visit you there religously...thank you...

Comment by Margaret "Kiki" Reina on July 31, 2009 at 11:06am: You all insprire me in so many ways ... you are all artists and I KNOW how it feels to be misunderstood and given that OH GOD look from people ... lol so to speak ... LUCKILY i hang out with artists who understand why iam the way iam ... So, when i see you perform and just be "YOU" it makes me smile because i KNOW what it feels like to be THERE where you are together just creating and doing YOUR art YOUR way