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.
Fixed Companionship Ghost Town Irrationality
The Locust Lyrics
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The lyrics to The Locust's song "Fixed Companionship Ghost Town Irrationality" are cryptic and disturbing, as they describe an act of violence against a helpless rabbit, and the use of its body as a "token of good charm." The line "tear the rabbit in half so the meat can eat" is particularly unsettling, as it seems to suggest a reversal of the natural order, with the meat consuming the living animal. The image of the rabbit being "tenderized, sanctified" adds a religious undertone to the violence, as if the killing is being done in the name of some higher power.
The following line, "chalk the walk, kill the talk," suggests a broader critique of language and communication, as if the singer is proposing a violent solution to those who speak falsehoods or make weak arguments. The final phrase, "been bled bone dry," adds a gruesome touch to the image of the rabbit's body being used as a good luck charm, as if its lifeblood has been drained for the sake of human superstition. Overall, the lyrics to "Fixed Companionship Ghost Town Irrationality" are difficult to interpret, but they seem to suggest a world where violence and irrationality reign supreme, and where even the smallest and most innocent creatures can become objects of brutal manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear the rabbit in half so the meat can eat.
Divide something into pieces so that it can be of use to others.
Tenderized, sanctified.
Made softer and purified.
Chalk the walk, kill the talk.
Focus on actions rather than words.
Your fallacious arguments spilling out of it's rear end 'til it's been bled bone dry and used as a token of good charm.
Your false and invalid arguments are being revealed to the point of exhaustion, and you continue to use them to gain favor and benefit.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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