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.
Listen The Mighty Ear Is Hear
The Locust Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're out of luck, sir
Wire-tapped and
Booby-trapped
Wet nurse asks,
"What's your amusement?"
Wet dreams answer
Napalm showers and
Glowing cans."
Is it curfew yet?
No, not yet
Like that violent stuff?
Well it's covered up
Us-invaders check
Legal debt
The Locust's song "Listen The Mighty Ear Is Here" is a commentary on the surveillance state and the militarization of society. The lyrics are surreal and disjointed, but the underlying themes are clear. The "Violent Huckster" is a metaphor for the government or military-industrial complex, which is "wire-tapped and booby-trapped" in its efforts to gather intelligence and maintain control. The "Wet nurse" and "Wet dreams" are references to the infantilization of society, with people seeking mindless entertainment and being fed a constant stream of propaganda. The "Deadly powders", "Napalm showers", and "Glowing cans" suggest the risks and dangers of this system, which relies on violence and intimidation.
The song also touches on the theme of legality and accountability. The line "Legal debt" suggests that the system is held together by a complex web of laws and regulations, which are used to justify actions that might otherwise be considered immoral or illegal.
Overall, "Listen The Mighty Ear Is Here" is a powerful critique of the surveillance state and the militarization of society, using surreal imagery and biting satire to make its point.
Line by Line Meaning
Violent Huckster
Aggressive salesperson
You're out of luck, sir
You have no chance of success
Wire-tapped and
Under surveillance
Booby-trapped
Dangerous and deceptive
Wet nurse asks,
A caregiver inquires
"What's your amusement?"
"What do you find entertaining?"
Wet dreams answer
Desires that are unrealistic or harmful
"Deadly powders,
"Harmful substances
Napalm showers and
Explosive attacks
Glowing cans."
Radioactive waste
Is it curfew yet?
Is it time for restrictions?
No, not yet
Not at this time
Like that violent stuff?
Do you approve of aggression?
Well it's covered up
Concealed from view
Us-invaders check
Foreign occupiers investigate
Legal debt
Legal obligations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EtErNaL LivEs MaTtEr!
Sister
I cannot wait to meet you when we get home to heaven.
God has used and is using the tragedy that was once my life for his glory! How else could i look into the eyes of a lost soul and say
I have been where you are how else could i speak to thier heart with compassion for thier burdens and pains
God has given me the free gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ ....truly i am undeserving of such a priceless gift yet the benefits of this great gift goes beyond what i can phathom the joy my Saviour has given me the peace that never leaves me the love i have for others and the burdensome fire i have for souls cannot be compared to anything i have ever known i was saved in October of 2010 the greatest decision i ever made was to trust Jesus to save my sould from the lake of fire.
I do not know you but I love you woth a godly love and i will lift you up in prayer this evening :)
May the Lord teach you and shape you and mold you according to his word and may he bless you all the days of your life.
Ezekiel 36:33-36 (KJB)
33 Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.
EtErNaL LivEs MaTtEr!
Ezekiel 36:33-36 (KJB)
33 Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.
CigarBox Guitar
That account is Mary of Bethany from the Bible. She was Lazarus' and Martha' s sister. It's one of my favorite passages.
Luke 7 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
❝³⁷ And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
³⁸ And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
³⁹ Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹ There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴² And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³ Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴ And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
⁴⁵ Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶ My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷ Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
⁴⁸ And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹ And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.❞
John 11 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
❝¹ Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
² (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
³ Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.❞
Deliverance to the captives James
Worst thing I ever did was walk away from the lord for about five years.
Not even sure why I got away from Him, there was no pleasure in anything I did.
I was just being stubborn.
By the grace of God I still have my marriage and children.
Now I am having to fight twice as hard the strongholds the devil put against me for all that time.
I'm talking about a very dark and real demonic principilaty that has come against me time after time and has caused great delay on the things the lord has promised.
Anyone reading please pray.
- Mike
Jake Roe
I believe that God brought me to this sermon tonight because I am having problems with reaping the consequenes of wasted years and being lukewarm and I have sought back the blessings I lost as a result of my sins through God's grace. I am glad that God is breaking my chains and restoring me. May he have mercy on me and continue to work within me.
Reeds Music
God bless you beyond your comprehension
Abirose 🌹
Amen!
Steve Deangelis
Praise God! Remember to testify for what he has and will do for you!
TheFabled1
Please pray for me
Rob McKee
Praise God for the time we live in to be able to access old sermons like this to give us wisdom well beyond our years. Thank you for putting this together, very much appreciated.
Spurgeon Sermon Series
Amen! Glad it’s a blessing to you :)
Martha Barrett
I needed this! God led me here. Thank you!
Candy Banks
This sermon was extremely personal for me. Saved 8 years ago at the age of 42, I struggle with regret for all of the sins of my life before Christ. This was an oasis of joy! Who cares if I'm poor and feeble and my best years physically are behind me. I'M IN CHRIST!!! That will never be taken away! And so many locust-eaten years have already been restored! So much grace I can hardly stand it!😂
EtErNaL LivEs MaTtEr!
Sister
I cannot wait to meet you when we get home to heaven.
God has used and is using the tragedy that was once my life for his glory! How else could i look into the eyes of a lost soul and say
I have been where you are how else could i speak to thier heart with compassion for thier burdens and pains
God has given me the free gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ ....truly i am undeserving of such a priceless gift yet the benefits of this great gift goes beyond what i can phathom the joy my Saviour has given me the peace that never leaves me the love i have for others and the burdensome fire i have for souls cannot be compared to anything i have ever known i was saved in October of 2010 the greatest decision i ever made was to trust Jesus to save my sould from the lake of fire.
I do not know you but I love you woth a godly love and i will lift you up in prayer this evening :)
May the Lord teach you and shape you and mold you according to his word and may he bless you all the days of your life.
Ezekiel 36:33-36 (KJB)
33 Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.