Incubus

Incubus, my all-time favorite band as a high school student, played last night at SPAC. Obviously I was in attendance. I saw them once before when I was in high school, a whopping 5 years ago (wow I feel like I'm getting old), but they still performed amazing, if not better than before.

After coming out with Light Grenades this past year, Incubus still moves in new directions with their music, always transforming into new sounds as they mature as artists. One can see that the S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and Fungus Amungus Incubus is not the same as Morning View and Make Yourself Incubus, as is A Crow Left of the Murder and Light Grenades Incubus. I love bands that transform--and still keep their roots, performing all of their different sounds in one concert, not abandoning the sound that initially brought in their fanbase.

Which CD is your favorite? It's a difficult question, especially with what kind of sound suits you at the moment.

Back to the concert: Incubus has so much energy, and they play their songs so well together. I love the sound of the turn tables mixed with their rock/jam sound. Their new bassist is amazing (I could hardly keep my eyes off him as he played), and he offers an incredible ranging voice that blends well with Brandon's (especially his deep voice). I can't believe how strong Brandon's voice still is after all of these years--he still can sing and shout for almost two hours, and his voice never falters in the least. I can hardly sing one song dancing and screaming in my own house without feeling tired afterwards.

Mike Einzinger, the guitarist, is incredible too. I'm impressed at how he's really learned to play guitar on multiple levels. He can play slow songs that move you (like "Mexico" or "I Miss You") to hard jam songs (like "Pardon Me" or "Vitamin") to a song played with a madolin-like instrument which was used for their closer last night, "Aqueuos Transmission." When I saw the concert years back, they ended with the same song, which kind of disappointed me because I wanted something slightly new, but it still was a peaceful and sensual way to end the show. Crickets played throughout the set as fans lingered off, which I found very cool too. If anyone else has gone to a concert, have they played a different ending or is this their favorite way to kick an encore? I think it's a good choice, but I think they need to vary it a bit or it loses its cool.

Bongos. I love a band that plays bongos. Brandon played sick bongos during their jam session in "Sick Sad Little World," as each member got his own opportunity to go nuts. I think they are each so talented and humble, and they are so comfortable on the stage that it really shows in their ability to play their instrument.

One thing that I did notice about clothing that I need to mention: both Incubus and their opening band, The Bravery, seem to go with this new "80s punk" look. The lead singers both wore tight blank pants, and they weren't just tight jeans, they looked like stretch pants. Personally, I don't think that looks hot in the least, but maybe that's the new thing. Brandon also wore this loose 80s black-and-white tank top, which wasn't all that attractive, but he looks hot in most things, especially his old fashioned hat that he sported during slow songs.

Overall: awesome show, awesome crowd. Stay tuned for a Dave review tomorrow. Comment on any Incubus feedback or opinions.

I'll end with "Dig" lyrics, my song of the summer:

We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easy to identify. Look me in the eye
And ask for forgiveness
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again.
Yes, you are my friend.
We all have something that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.

So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday.
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song
remind me that we'll always have each other
when everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness
that cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.
We all have someone that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.

So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
Oh, each other when everything else is gone
No

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song
remind me that we'll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
Oh, each other when everything else is gone
Oh, each other when everything else is gone