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.

Spitting in the Face of Fools as a Source of Nutrition
The Locust Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Picking the scabs off regret because it doesn't seem to be your birthday yet.
Spotting and removing the fly from the ointment.
A beautician looking for a good source of nutrition.
A fool can get the cattle to start to drool.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Locust's song Spitting in the Faces of Fools as a Source of Nutrition are intentionally ambiguous and open for interpretation. However, one possible interpretation is that the lyrics are a commentary on the human condition of searching for sustenance and fulfillment, often through self-destructive means.

The first line, "Picking the scabs off regret because it doesn't seem to be your birthday yet," suggests that the singer is stuck in a cycle of regret and self-harm, perhaps in an attempt to feel something or to mark the passing of time. The second line, "Spotting and removing the fly from the ointment," could represent the constant search for purity or perfection, and the disappointment that comes with the discovery of imperfection.

The third line, "A beautician looking for a good source of nutrition," could be interpreted as a metaphor for the commodification and exploitation of beauty, and the constant need for nourishment in a society that values surface-level appearances. Finally, the line "A fool can get the cattle to start to drool" suggests that even those who are not wise or deserving can manipulate others into submission or desire, further emphasizing the themes of consumption and control.

Line by Line Meaning

Picking the scabs off regret because it doesn't seem to be your birthday yet.
Examining past mistakes and failures, hoping that they can be resolved, but realizing that it's not yet time for celebration.

Spotting and removing the fly from the ointment.
Identifying and eliminating an annoyance or hindrance from an otherwise promising situation.

A beautician looking for a good source of nutrition.
Someone seeking sustenance or inspiration from unexpected sources, such as a hairstylist in search of creative ideas.

A fool can get the cattle to start to drool.
Even an ignorant or foolish person can sometimes mesmerize or entice others with charm or deception.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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