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.
How to Become a Virgin
The Locust Lyrics
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Done like your dinner
Taping fur to your back
Does not make you a werewolf
Just like dying dads,
Or already dead dads
Chance must be systematically explored
When dressed up like christman beef
The Locust's "How to Become a Virgin" is a song with cryptic lyrics that are open for interpretation. However, upon analysis, it appears to be a critique of societal expectations and cliches. The first line, "They, the people, done like your dinner," implies that individuals are being used and exploited by the masses for their own benefit, just as dinner is consumed by people. The next line, "Taping fur to your back does not make you a werewolf," suggests that trying to imitate a certain trait or characteristic does not make one naturally embody it.
The third line, "Just like dying dads or already dead dads," is a morbid comparison that may refer to the relentless struggle to maintain conventional norms and expectations that may be meaningless or ineffectual. The final two lines of the verse, "Chance must be systematically explored when dressed up like Christmas beef," appear to encourage individuals to explore uncharted territories, take risks, and seek unconventional or unexpected paths in life.
Line by Line Meaning
They, the people
All those around you in society
Done like your dinner
Have rejected or disposed of you without second thought
Taping fur to your back
Attempting to mimic or become something you are not through superficial means
Does not make you a werewolf
Does not actually transform you into what you are imitating
Just like dying dads,
Similar to the experience of losing a father to death
Or already dead dads
Or losing a father who is already emotionally absent
Chance must be systematically explored
One must actively seek out opportunities and take risks to find true fulfillment
When dressed up like christmas beef
Especially when attempting to fit in or conform to societal expectations that go against one's true nature
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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