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.
Personal History
The Locust Lyrics
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Keeping your life, your life.
They know everything about your existence.
You're all figured out, you're all figured out.
They know who you are and what you do.
There's nothing you can say to change their fucking minds about you.
History.
Erase your personal history.
The Locust's song Personal History is a powerful critique of the modern world's obsession with keeping tabs on people and their personal lives. The opening lyrics "Is your world nothing but lies?" suggest a sense of betrayal or disillusionment with the world at large, and the subsequent lines "Keeping your life, your life. They know everything about your existence" reinforce the theme of invasion of privacy. The line "You're all figured out, you're all figured out" offers a sense of hopelessness in the face of such control, and the phrase "they know who you are and what you do" suggests the totality of this control. The song ends with a call to action - "Erase your personal history" - which could be interpreted as a call to wipe the slate clean, to start over and take control of one's own destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Is your world nothing but lies?
Do you feel like everything around you is fake and dishonest?
Keeping your life, your life.
Trying to maintain control of your own life and your own decisions.
They know everything about your existence.
Others have already figured out every detail about you and your life.
You're all figured out, you're all figured out.
You've been completely analyzed and studied by those around you.
They know who you are and what you do.
Others know exactly who you are and what actions you take in life.
There's nothing you can say to change their fucking minds about you.
Attempts to communicate or change others' opinions about you are futile.
History.
The past events and experiences that shape who you are today.
Erase your personal history.
Get rid of the past experiences and actions that define you to start fresh.
Contributed by Christopher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.