This metal funk crossover band was formed in Calabasas, California, USA in January 1991 by school friends Brandon Boyd (b. 15 February 1976, Van Nuys, California, USA; vocals), Mike Einziger (b. Michael Aaron Einziger, 21 June 1976, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar), Dirk Lance (b. Alex Katunich, 18 August 1976; bass), and José Pasillas (b. 26 April 1976; drums). The quartet began playing various shows and parties before moving on to the bars and clubs of Los Angeles. During this period the band recruited DJ Lyfe (b. Gavin Koppel) who added a hip-hop element to their already eclectic mix of funk, metal and jazz. This sound, combined with their electrifying live shows and self-promotion, generated a buzz around the band and, after the independent release of Fungus Amongus, they signed to Immortal Records in 1995.
In January 1997, the band released the six-track Enjoy Incubus EP and collaborated with DJ Greyboy on the Spawn movie soundtrack. Later that year S.C.I.E.N.C.E. was released, which saw a development of the band style and Boyd's lyrics in particular. During a US tour to promote the album the band dispensed with the services of DJ Lyfe and replaced him with DJ Kilmore (b. Chris Kilmore, 21 January 1973, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA). They continued to tour with Limp Bizkit and System Of A Down before joining the line-up for the Ozzfest.
Two years later, after almost continual touring, Make Yourself was released. A far slicker affair than their previous outings, it utilised the latest studio technology and a greater range of sounds and variety of instruments. The single "Pardon Me", which Boyd was inspired to write after reading about spontaneous combustion, was a significant US hit. In 2000, the band was again featured on the Ozzfest, prior to recording the highly successful Morning View. A far more commercial and mellow recording than their previous efforts, the album reached the US Top 2 and went on to attain double platinum sales status.
Dirk Lance was replaced by Ben Kenney (b. 12 March 1977, USA) in April 2003, but Incubus' popularity continued undiminished with the subsequent release of the Top 5 album A Crow Left Of The Murder .... The album, which saw the band teaming up with Pearl Jam producer Brendan O'Brien, was an ambitious if not always successful attempt to broaden the Incubus sound. The following year's live DVD Alive At Red Rocks included a bonus CD featuring a number of rare tracks. Further material surfaced in summer 2005, with three new songs included on the soundtrack of the movie Stealth. The wildly diverse Light Grenades provided Incubus with their first US chart-topping album in late 2006, although mixed reviews undoubtedly contributed to its subsequent rapid slide down the charts.
