The Locust are a band formed in 1994 in San Diego, USA. They are known for… Read Full Bio ↴The Locust are a band formed in 1994 in San Diego, USA. They are known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, complexity, and new wave weirdness. They take inspiration from powerviolence (Crossed Out, Dropdead), experimental rock (Art Bears, Renaldo and the Loaf), and death metal.

The Locust was formed by Justin Pearson, Bobby Bray, Dylan Scharf, Dave Warshaw, and Dave Astor. After a number of personnel changes, they arrived at their current four-piece lineup in 2001, consisting of Pearson, Bray, Gabe Serbian, and Joey Karam. Originally a powerviolence band with a strong tendency towards synth-based passages, they have more recently stripped down much of their past sound, but retained the heavy distortion, synthesizers, screamed vocals, and intense stage presence. On the band's unique sound and live presentations, singer/bassist Justin Pearson has said, "I wanted to change the way people perceive music, or maybe just destroy it in general." Their music is complex, dynamic and fast-paced, often featuring abrupt and inconsistent time-signature changes. These erratic elements are, according to guitarist Bobby Bray, "a reflection of perhaps how our brains have to function in order to be able to do anything in the Western societies we live in."

The Locust have a unique stage presence: costumed in skin-tight, full body nylon suits (which the band refer to as uniforms), they have at times come across to first-time viewers as frightening. The last 5 different suits were designed and made by Ben Warwas. Unlike most bands, which normally have the drums set up behind the other members, the four members of The Locust are usually all positioned in a line at the front of the stage. The group recommends that in order to get the full impact of the music, one should see them live. The Locust boycotts Clear Channel Communications and refuse to play in any Clear Channel-owned venues. This boycott affected a 2005 tour with Fantômas as well as another tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They also have a policy of only playing all-ages shows. The band's lyrics range from stream-of-consciousness poetry to satirical portrayals of mainstream ideas of sexuality to political commentary and critiques of religion.

Captain Gaydar It's Time To Wind Your Clock Again
The Locust Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What came first the chicken or the moron?
I'd say the moron potty trained or not.

I wipe your ass you scratch my back

Go ahead and continue to
Think about your genitalia
But before you speak, before you think,

Hemorrhoid is a two lane highway

americana memorabilia
-homophobic hillbilly hieroglyphics
Ready the probe and ready the stove
At the Branding center my cheesbro'

Plus or minus three percent points
(variance of ignorant humans)
But I'd have to say that there are
Many more in retro sewage

I wipe your ass you scratch my back

Overall Meaning

The Locust, an experimental punk rock band from San Diego, California, released the track "Captain Gaydar It's Time To Wind Your Clock Again" in 2004. The song is a scathing commentary on the ignorance and bigotry present in American society. The opening lines "What came first the chicken or the moron? I'd say the moron potty trained or not" ridicule those who lack basic intelligence and critical thinking skills. The band uses vulgar language and imagery to further drive home their message: "I wipe your ass you scratch my back." The song's title "Captain Gaydar" refers to the ability of some people to detect gay individuals, and the band calls for those with such a talent to refocus their energies on more important issues.

Line by Line Meaning

What came first the chicken or the moron?
Contemplating the question of which came first is irrelevant when considering the intelligence of individuals.

I'd say the moron potty trained or not.
The singer believes that intelligence is not dependent on the ability to use a toilet.

I wipe your ass you scratch my back
A metaphorical statement indicating a mutually beneficial relationship between two individuals.

Go ahead and continue to Think about your genitalia But before you speak, before you think, Hemorrhoid is a two lane highway
The artist admonishes individuals for focusing solely on sexual matters and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of the body.

Americana memorabilia -homophobic hillbilly hieroglyphics Ready the probe and ready the stove At the Branding center my cheesbro'
The artist criticizes the glorification of homophobic and backwards stereotypes in American culture while referencing a disturbing medical procedure.

Plus or minus three percent points (variance of ignorant humans) But I'd have to say that there are Many more in retro sewage
The singer acknowledges the inherent variability in human intelligence and bemoans the prevalence of ignorance in society despite some exceptions.

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