There are multiple artists using this name:

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.

Surface To Air
Incubus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you read me, mayday
Aeronaut to base
I confess I'm a mess
No egress
Alone, hovering in space

Is there anyone out there
Why the third degree?

Never knew
Until you
How silence could be so sonorous indeed

Wherever you are
Send out a flare
This is an attempt to connect, edify, intersect
Send a light
Send repair
From surface to air

Do you hear me, mayday?
I am in search of
But I'm caught in a knot
Goes to say
So below is as above

Is there anyone out there?
I am high and dry
Suffering is a theme
But reckoning is the only reason why
We suffer at all

To send out a flare
This is an attempt to connect
Edify and dissect
Send a light
Send repair
From surface to air

Is there anyone out there?

Suffering is a thing
But reckoning is the only reason why
We suffer at all

So send out a flare

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 'Surface to Air' by Incubus speak about being lost and alone, and the desperation to make a connection with the outside world. The singer starts off by calling out for help, admitting that they are a "mess" with "no egress". They are hovering in space, completely stranded and hoping for a response. The silence around them is so deafening that they can't help but wonder why they receive "the third degree". This moment of isolation serves as a realization for the singer, as they discover the heaviness of silence and the importance of human connection.

In the chorus, the singer asks for help in any form - a flare, a light, or even repair. They are trying to connect and intersect with someone, anyone, who can help them out of their predicament. The second verse is a continuation of this, with the singer admitting to being "caught in a knot", but still searching for a way out. They are "high and dry" and suffering, but handling it the only way they know how - by reckoning with it. The final plea for help comes in the form of the chorus, where they desperately try to reach out for anyone listening to send a flare, send repair, and to connect.

Overall, the lyrics of 'Surface to Air' are a commentary on the human need for connection and the realization that the silence of isolation can be overwhelming. The hope is to reach out to others, to connect, and to ultimately find a way out of our struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you read me, mayday
Asking for communication and help

Aeronaut to base
Reaching out to someone who can assist

I confess I'm a mess
Acknowledging one's state of disarray

No egress
Feeling trapped with no way out

Alone, hovering in space
Being isolated and disconnected from others

Is there anyone out there
Desperately seeking human contact

Why the third degree?
Questioning the reasoning behind someone's scrutiny

Never knew Until you How silence could be so sonorous indeed
Realizing the power and depth of silence and its impact on oneself

Wherever you are Send out a flare This is an attempt to connect, edify, intersect
Reaching out for connection and knowledge, making an effort to learn and grow

Send a light Send repair From surface to air
Asking for guidance and support in the journey from one's current state to a place of growth and healing

Do you hear me, mayday? I am in search of But I'm caught in a knot Goes to say So below is as above
Continuing to seek help while recognizing the obstacles in one's way, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things

I am high and dry Suffering is a theme But reckoning is the only reason why We suffer at all
Experiencing hardship but recognizing the importance of reflection and self-evaluation in order to learn and evolve

Suffering is a thing But reckoning is the only reason why We suffer at all So send out a flare
Emphasizing the importance of introspection and growth in difficult times, and asking for help in that process

Is there anyone out there?
Reiterating the desire for connection with others

Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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