Walmart Soundcheck

THE ARRIVAL

Incubus Returns
Like a well-oiled rock machine, the boys of Incubus rolled into Center Staging Burbank in high gear; ready to unveil a batch of new songs and stories of their epic journey along the path of art and sound.

A Band of Brothers
Much of the band grew up right here in the Valley and met when they were students at nearby Calabasas High. Watching Incubus interact together, you get a sense of longtime camaraderie: the guys are close as brothers.

THE SET

Anna Molly
The first single from the band's upcoming new album, Light Grenades, is straight-up rock 'n' roll. With a pounding chorus driven by a catchy guitar riff, lead singer Brandon Boyd tells us it's one of his favorite new songs. Anna Molly is supposedly inspired by a mystery lady; someone the band is keeping mum on ...

Drive
"Lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel," sings Boyd on what is perhaps Incubus' best-known hit. A song about reclaiming yourself and taking control of the future, Drive showcases Incubus' superior songwriting and a sound that's more stripped-down than other efforts.

Megalomaniac
With a piercing primal scream, Brandon performs the intensely personal-sounding hit from A Crow Left of the Murder. "Hey Megalomaniac," he growls, "You're no Jesus, and you're no ... Elvis. Step down! Step down!" Who is he singing to? A secret enemy? Himself? That's for you, the listener, to figure out.

THE INTERVIEW

On Light Grenades:
Incubus' hotly anticipated sixth studio album has the band re-pairing up with producer Brendan O'Brien, a music giant who's also worked with Pearl Jam and Rage Against The Machine. So how is this new opus different? Says Brandon: "We're still a work in progress and I hope that we are always a work in progress. We are honing in slowly but surely on the craft of songwriting, and that's why every record sounds different."

On the Pressure of Touring:
Life on the road can be grueling for any seasoned rocker. As the band gears up for a tour in support of the new album, we asked lead guitarist Mike Einziger about the tailspin of touring. "It was time for us to take a break. We took pretty much like a year away from being on the road and touring and playing concerts. Now the concept of being on the road feels new and fresh and exciting again which is exactly what needed to happen."

On the Process of Songwriting:
Speaking with Incubus, we're impressed how dedicated these guys are to constantly evolving and searching for new ways to write music. Brandon explains how the Incubus approach to making music is something mystical: "We'll write a bunch of songs that we get excited about. And you look at them and you're like 'We did that?' And you don't even really remember, like, 'Where did that come from'? I don't know. Don't ask too many questions and just do it. It's pretty exciting really 'cause it's really chaotic. You're catching a little lightning in a bottle."

POST-SCRIPT:

Renaissance Rock Stars
Watching Incubus is watching rock elevated to a different place that's hard to put your finger on. It's edgy yet approachable, artful but accessible, introspective but at the same time encompassing a feeling of emotion that seems to speak to all.

The new songs we heard on Light Grenades are strong; some of the most stunning rock we've heard in a while. But don't take our word for it, go get the album and find out for yourself.

Until next time.

-The Crew at Wal-Mart Soundcheck