In 1991 high school students Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Alex Katunich and Jose Pasillas joined forces to make music. For a long time they played without giving their project a name - It was only until they were about to play a bigger show that they decided on "Incubus".
Today, lead singer Brandon Boyd isn't exactly happy with the decision anymore saying: “Some people, including myself, think that it doesn’t really fit the kind of music we make, but that’s OK, it’s just a name.” - Exactly. Releasing their debut FUNGUS AMONGUS in 1995 via their own label of the name (believe it or not) Stopuglynailfungus Music. While their first release was heavily influenced by funk, they put more nu metal into the successor record S.C.I.E.N.C.E (1997) - Which brought them slots as a support act for bands like Korn or Deftones. But from funk to nu metal Incubus finally found their sound in the alternative rock scene with their album MAKE YOURSELF (1999) - Even though they still hadn't entirely lost their nu metal element. One year after the release that's particularly known for songs such as 'Pardon Me' and 'Drive', it was certified platinum.
Sony Vs. Incubus
But Incubus didn't really get much from the success of their first three records: They felt underpaid and wanted to dissolve the contract with Sony - who expected four more records. In the beginning of 2003 a lawsuit started which they later settled out of court. As a result, Incubus received an advance payment of eight million dollars for their next record.
With their 2004 release, A CROW LEFT OF THE MURDER... they definitely left their alternative metal roots behind. Furthermore, their follow-up album LIGHT GRENADES had tracks like 'Love Hurts' and 'Dig' which actually became the band's first #1 album, an album that continued to show the direction in which the band were heading.
In April 2017 - After a six year break - The latest record from the Californians was released, titled '8'.
