Incubus is a five-man al… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name:
Incubus is a five-man alternative rock band formed in 1991, based in Calabasas, California. Members include Brandon Boyd (vocals and percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Ben Kenney (bass), Jose Pasillas II (drums) and DJ Chris Kilmore (turntables). Former members of the band include Gavin Koppel (a.k.a. DJ Lyfe) (turntables) and Alex Katunich (a.k.a. Dirk Lance) (bass). The band's name may seem a peculiar choice to fans, as an incubus is a type of demon that, in mythological lore, comes in the night and has sex with women while they are sleeping; it seduces them in their dreams The story behind the name is that the band needed to think of a name hours before their first show and, after a few failed choices, Mike looked in a dictionary and chose "Incubus" almost at random. Mike says that the name was chosen because it sounded silly; Brandon holds that it was chosen because they were teenagers and the definition had the word "sex" in it. "We really didn't want to rape women in their sleep. But, we were fifteen and it seemed harmless to us then, and we never changed it," says the band.
Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several successful singles. The band earned mainstream recognition with the release of their 1999 album Make Yourself. In 2001, Incubus became even more successful with the single "Drive" and their follow-up album Morning View. Their sixth studio album, Light Grenades, debuted at No. 1 in 2006 and has received Gold certification in the U.S. Incubus released their first greatest hits album Monuments and Melodies in June 2009, accompanied by a tour of the United States, Japan and Canada. The band's most recent album, 8, was released on April 21st, 2017.
2. A death/thrash metal band from Metairie, Louisiana. The band was made up of Francis Howard (guitar/vocals), Moyses Howard (drums), Andre Luiz (bass), and Luiz Carlos (guitar). The two Howard brothers are actually from Brazil, and immigrated to Louisiana. This Incubus has released one demo, and two albums, with one album being remastered and re-released with a different track listing. This band has changed their name to Opprobrium.
3. A death/thrash metal band from Georgia who released one demo in 1987. The drummer, Mike Browning, went on to Morbid Angel and later Nocturnus fame.
4. A thrash metal band from São Paulo, Brazil that released 2 demos in 1986 and 1988.
5. A thrash metal band from João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
6. A New Wave of British Heavy Metal band that released a full-length album "To the Devil a Daughter" in 1984. Still a favorite among NWOBHM fans.
7. A death/thrash metal band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Released a demo "Sinful Dreams" in 1987. Changed their name to Spectral Birth in 1988.
8. A Techno/Rave combo.
State of the Art
Incubus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now a modern relic
Nearly a payphone on a one a.m. sidewalk
We're all cast aside
And we're antiquated
Right as we start to finally figure out what we are
State of the art
You're new, you're young, your blissful ignorance
It's everything they like, but the years have teeth
And sometimes they bite (sometimes they bite)
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
Now do you see that smile
At the foot of the ladder
Ain't it familiar? That was you only yesterday
But this justice feels
More like a poison apple
And inevitably everyone'll bite into it
Now look at you so bright
State of the art
You're new, you're young, your blissful ignorance
It's everything they like, but the years have teeth
And sometimes they bite
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
(State of the art)
I'm falling, I'm falling apart
The state of, the state of the art
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Yeah look at you, well look at you now
State of the art
State of the art
Look at you so bright
State of the art
The lyrics to Incubus's song State of the Art paint a bleak image of modern society as it struggles to keep up with the ever-advancing pace of technology. The first verse juxtaposes the Wright Brothers' pioneering achievement in aviation with the current state of their invention, reduced to a relic of the past, much like a payphone on a deserted street in the middle of the night. The second verse broadens this theme to include all of humanity, as we find ourselves outdated and left behind just as we begin to grasp our own identities. The chorus repeats the phrase "state of the art" to highlight the contrast between the flashy, new technology that society praises and the harsh reality that this rapid advancement can be both exhilarating and destructive. The final verse offers a warning about the seductive nature of progress, that we must be careful not to become contaminated by our own success, as the apple of justice can often be poisoned.
In essence, the song's lyrics reflect upon the transience of modern civilization and the danger of being seduced by the latest and greatest technology without pausing to consider the consequences. The chorus, in particular, emphasizes this theme, with its references to "blissful ignorance" and the biting effects of time on even the most state-of-the-art technologies. The song's overall somber tone suggests that progress is not necessarily always progress, and that there may be value in preserving some of the past before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You were the first in flight
You were once ahead of the game
Now a modern relic
But now you are outdated and irrelevant
Nearly a payphone on a one a.m. sidewalk
Just as useless and easily forgotten as a payphone on an empty sidewalk late at night
We're all cast aside
Everyone is being ignored and left behind
And we're antiquated
And we are outdated and old-fashioned
Right as we start to finally figure out what we are
Just as we begin to understand ourselves
Look at you so bright
You look perfect and new
State of the art
You are modern and current
You're new, you're young, your blissful ignorance
You are inexperienced and ignorant
It's everything they like, but the years have teeth
It may be desirable to others, but time can be harsh
And sometimes they bite (sometimes they bite)
And the consequences can hurt (and hurt badly)
Built to spill, you're state of the art
You've been designed to leak or fall apart, even though you're supposed to be the best
Now look at you, well look at you now
But now you're coming apart at the seams
Now do you see that smile
Do you recognize that expression
At the foot of the ladder
It's from someone on the bottom rung of the ladder
Ain't it familiar? That was you only yesterday
Doesn't it look just like you, only a day ago?
But this justice feels
But this supposed fairness seems
More like a poison apple
More like a deceitful lure, hiding something harmful inside
And inevitably everyone'll bite into it
And everyone will eventually fall for it
I'm falling, I'm falling apart
I'm breaking down, I'm losing it
State of the art
Even though I'm supposed to be the best
Yeah look at you, well look at you now
But now you're in the same position
State of the art
Supposedly modern and current
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brandon Charles Boyd, Michael Aaron Einziger, Benjamin Lee Kenney, Christopher E Kilmore, Sonny Moore, Jose Anthony Pasillas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arka Ghosh
They probably directed this song at themselves. Being one of the earliest modern rock bands, they are now indeed a relic because kids these days don't listen to the kind of music they made or still make. It is also a probable nod to us, the 90s kids and teens (the millennials), the first generation to taste global connectivity through the internet and other modern breakthroughs; but Gen Z has taken over and we feel out of depth and lost.
"We're all cast aside
And we're antiquated
Right as we start to finally figure out what we are"
Some of the deepest lyrics in any song in a very long time.
"But this justice feels
More like a poison apple
And inevitably everyone'll bite into it"
So true, for us specifically, and right now, these very years are the ones that have teeth and they are about to bite.
This song is a treasure. It talks of our predicament and serves as a warning for all the future generations.
I'm thankful that I grew up listening to these guys. Such beautiful lyrics, such good music. This band is a treasure that kids these days won't take seriously.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Good day.
Mellanie Cristina
You were the first in flight
Now a modern relic
Nearly a payphone on a one a.m. sidewalk
We're all cast aside
And we're antiquated
Right as we start to finally figure out what we are
Look at you so bright
State of the art
You're new, you're young, your blissful ignorance
It's everything they like, but the years have teeth
And sometimes they bite (sometimes they bite)
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
Now do you see that smile
At the foot of the ladder
Ain't it familiar? That was you only yesterday
But this justice feels
More like a poison apple
And inevitably everyone'll bite into it
Now look at you so bright
State of the art
You're new, you're young, your blissful ignorance
It's everything they like, but the years have teeth
And sometimes they bite
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
I'm falling, I'm falling apart
The state of, the state of the art
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Now look at you, well look at you now
Look at you, you're falling apart
Built to spill, you're state of the art
Yeah look at you, well look at you now
State of the art
State of the art
Look at you so bright
State of the art
Arka Ghosh
They probably directed this song at themselves. Being one of the earliest modern rock bands, they are now indeed a relic because kids these days don't listen to the kind of music they made or still make. It is also a probable nod to us, the 90s kids and teens (the millennials), the first generation to taste global connectivity through the internet and other modern breakthroughs; but Gen Z has taken over and we feel out of depth and lost.
"We're all cast aside
And we're antiquated
Right as we start to finally figure out what we are"
Some of the deepest lyrics in any song in a very long time.
"But this justice feels
More like a poison apple
And inevitably everyone'll bite into it"
So true, for us specifically, and right now, these very years are the ones that have teeth and they are about to bite.
This song is a treasure. It talks of our predicament and serves as a warning for all the future generations.
I'm thankful that I grew up listening to these guys. Such beautiful lyrics, such good music. This band is a treasure that kids these days won't take seriously.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Good day.
Michael King
exactly im 29
Always Learning
I agree. I grew up with and related to pardon me. God we were part of a golden era we will never get back.
Michael Lowe
Brandan did direct this one.
Matty B
Far Out! Thank you my Friend, that was an awesome articulation of words, meanings, brain thoughts and truth.
EVER MORE RELEVANT TO THIS DAY!
Do Not get sucked into the “machine”.
You tickled my Proud Heart Strings whilst also giving me another perspective on these lyrics.
Peace & Love.
James Murphy
Nuff said
Kristin Lawson
"The years have teeth and sometimes they bite."
Damn, we're so lucky to have this amazing band in existence!!! WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!!!! 🙌💜
randi sam
Legit said to my mom. The lyric and said yes they do brandon yes they fuckin do
Felix3
I am
Nasreen Jennings
That line also stuck out for me