The Locust

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The Locust
The Locust
Origin	San Diego, California
Country	United States
Years active	1994–present
Genres	Noise rock Hardcore punk Grindcore Mathcore
Members	Justin Pearson Gabe Serbian Bobby Bray Joey Karam

The Locust is an abrasive rock band from San Diego, California.

The Locust are famous for having a synth-heavy, heavily distorted, crust punk (particularly on early releases) and noisegrind-influenced sound, as well as a disturbing stage presence. Singer Justin Pearson has said, "I just want to change the way people look at music or maybe just destroy it in general."

The Locust's music is challenging and fast-paced. It features unexpected and inconsistent time-signature changes. These erratic elements of The Locust's music 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."

Members include Justin Pearson, singer and bass guitar player, Gabe Serbian on drums, Joey Karam, keyboards, and Bobby Bray playing guitar. Some members formerly played in a somewhat well known screamo band called Swing Kids as well as the punk rock band Le Shok. Holy Molar, Some Girls and Cattle Decapitation are notable Locust side-projects, the latter acquiring death metal fame of its own.

The Locust have a unique stage presence. Costumed in skin-tight, full-body, white (occasionally green or black) skin-tight nylon suits with large, black mesh, bug-like eye and mouth coverings, these suits help create atmosphere during their shows. Unlike most bands, which normally have the drums set up behind the other members, the four members of The Locust are all positioned in a line at the front of the stage.

Instead of talking to the crowd, The Locust tune their instruments after almost every song. This often takes longer than the song they just performed. While this happens they are frequently heckled by crowd members unfamiliar with the band.

The group recommends that in order to get the full impact of the band, one should see them live.

The Locust vehemently boycotts Clear Channel Communications, refusing to play in any Clear Channel-owned venues. This boycott affected a 2005 tour with Fantômas.

Lyrically, The Locust is a scathing satire of popular mainstream US culture, sexuality, and US politics. Amidst the high-pitched screams and shrills of the vocals, it is nearly impossible to discern what is being said.

The Locust are known to produce tasteless merchandise such as their puddle-shaped (and bodily fluid-coloured) 7" split with Arab on Radar, compacts which some say look suspiciously like cocaine mirrors, and small comic books that look like a Chick tract, coinciding with their debut record on ANTI-.

Gabe Serbian and Justin Pearson staged a fake wedding while in Hawaii. Also, Justin and Scott Beibin (of Lost Film Fest, Evil Twin Booking and Bloodlink Records) appeared on an episode of Jerry Springer, and shared a kiss.

Currently, The Locust are working on a new full-length album for ANTI- called "New Erections" said to be released sometime in early 2007.