Incubus Succubus
Pardon Me While I Chew on Some Fungus

By Dominick Scala

Just because thousands upon thousands of adolescents will just about lose their under-aged minds at the mere sight of front man Brandon Boyd as he strips his shirt off at roughly the third song of any given Incubus performance, by no means takes away from the fact that the boy can sing.

From southern California, Incubus was formed in 1991 by Boyd, guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasaillas before they even graduated from high school. Their teenage experimentation days seemed to branch out musically as well, most notably by incorporating a DJ into their rock-n-roll alchemy for their first independent record, “Fungus Amungus.”  Not two years after the release of the record were they signed to Immortal / Epic Records.

California in the ’90s spawned many heavier, genre-defining bands such as Tool, Deftones, Korn and System of a Down.  Perhaps there was something in the water back then. That, or the magic mushrooms were passing along some intimate musical secrets.  By 1997 Incubus had released their second major-label record, “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.,” a culmination of their progressive nature and their heaviest work to date. The album, which combines elements of hip-hop, jazz, and drum-n-bass, landed them slots on tours like Ozzfest and Korn’s Family Values tour. Even with no support from radio or MTV, “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” went on to sell over 100,000 copies.

Breaking away from the tribal, mosh pit, angry-boy styled music, in 1999 the band focused on their songwriting talents and released the more digestible “Make Yourself,” an album that went down like a pot brownie — delicious and introspective.  Over the years, their live act has transformed from nu-metal-esque hippy dreadlocks to pretty boy songs that make all the girls sing.  A decision by a publicist or record label?  The bands natural evolution or a search for sales?  Call it what you will, but good melodies and solid song structures sold more than 3 million copies of “Make Yourself” to date, and all three singles on the album have topped the charts.

Since 2001 Incubus has released three more mainstream-style records, all with similar success.  There is much anticipation among fans for their seventh studio album, although they are currently touring the U.S. with English rock band The Duke Spirit, a band that combines elements of old psychedelic rock with textured, layered guitars reminiscent of bands like My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth, making for a show that’s not to be missed. 

Incubus will perform at BayfrontPark Amphitheatre, 301 Biscayne Blvd,in Miami on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $36 to $46, available at livenation.com.       

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