The Locust

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

Justin Pearson (bassist) in concert.
Background information
Origin San Diego, California
Genres Noise rock,[1] powerviolence,[2] grindcore[3]
Years active 1994–present
Labels Three One G, GSL
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, All Leather
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]

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.[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

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

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

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

The Locust take inspiration from powerviolence (Crossed Out, Dropdead), obscure experimental rock (Art Bears, Renaldo and the Loaf), and death metal.[10]

Members

Current

  • 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

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

Discography

Albums

EPs

Splits

Compilations

  • Molecular Genetics from the Gold Standard Labs (2012)

References

  1. ↑ The New York Times, April 13, 2007. "The Locust, Cattle Decapitation, Daughters", Pop and Rock Listings, Access date: August 6, 2008.
  2. ↑ Andrew Marcus, "Buzz Clip", SF Weekly, August 6, 2003. 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. ↑ "The Locust - Artist Profile". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  5. ↑ "Cecil B. Demented". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  6. ↑ Potts, Ryan. "The Locust: Plague Soundscapes - PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  7. ↑ "We've Moved To TrashAudio.com !!: Workspace and Environment: The Locust". Trashaudio.blogspot.com. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  8. ↑ "Bands and Performers: The Locust". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ LA Weekly, September 18, 2003, Access date: July 24, 2008

External links

The Locust
Studio albums
EPs
Splits
See also
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