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.
We Have Reached an Official Verdict: Nobody Gives a Shit
The Locust Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now its known there is no heaven on this shore or
Any other damn shore for that matter.
Shit-sucking kings and ass-licking peasants with
Their foreign tongues licking someone's foreign affair
Only because signs show that we must fly from here.
Shave that matted faux fur suit.
Now listen to what the preacher has to say about life, but
Don't listen to what the man of faith has to say about petty details like death and despair.
Haven't you heard yet?
No one listens to anyone anyhow.
Take that aimless aim and let it rip.
Open fire when you hit the shore.
Relax, its only the smell of some sea men.
Fire!
Hand-me-down hamburger.
The Locust's song We Have Reached an Official Verdict: Nobody Gives a Shit uses lyrics which, on first impression, seem to be somewhat nonsensical. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the song is a scathing critique of modern society. The opening lines, "Belching into the atmosphere, new erections still the same as those filthy fucking old ones," refer to the seemingly endless cycle of construction and destruction that characterizes modern civilization. Despite the constant building and rebuilding of structures, the underlying problems remain the same. The reference to "belching" is likely a nod to the massive amounts of pollution created by industrial processes.
The next line, "Now its known there is no heaven on this shore or any other damn shore for that matter," is a direct attack on religious beliefs. The song asserts that there is no afterlife and that people should focus on living in this world, rather than waiting for a reward in the next. This sentiment is echoed in the lines "Hey incarceration generation, now listen to what the preacher has to say about life, but don't listen to what the man of faith has to say about petty details like death and despair."
The song then goes on to criticize the political and social systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. The lines "Shit-sucking kings and ass-licking peasants with their foreign tongues licking someone's foreign affair" refer to the corrupt politicians and wealthy elites who use their power to exploit the less fortunate. The song suggests that people should reject these systems and strive for something better.
Overall, We Have Reached an Official Verdict: Nobody Gives a Shit is a scathing critique of modern society and the ways in which we perpetuate our own destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Belching into the atmosphere, new erections still the same as those filthy fucking old ones.
Despite building new things, they still pollute the environment just as badly as those they replaced.
Now its known there is no heaven on this shore or Any other damn shore for that matter.
The realization that there is no blissful afterlife, not even in other societies, has set in.
Shit-sucking kings and ass-licking peasants with Their foreign tongues licking someone's foreign affair Only because signs show that we must fly from here.
Those in power and lower class are both guilty of manipulating international affairs purely to gain advantage, only driven by desperation to escape.
Shave that matted faux fur suit.
Make change, starting with oneself and shedding pretentious social armor.
Hey incarceration generation Now listen to what the preacher has to say about life, but Don't listen to what the man of faith has to say about petty details like death and despair.
People who have grown up in the era of mass imprisonment should prioritize secular discussions about life, and disregard religious discussions of negativity.
Haven't you heard yet? No one listens to anyone anyhow.
There is apathy and resignation about the failure of communication and cooperation between individuals and society as a whole.
Take that aimless aim and let it rip. Open fire when you hit the shore.
Take reckless action, even without a clear goal or target, as a way to break from established norms and power structures.
Relax, its only the smell of some sea men. Fire! Hand-me-down hamburger.
Encouragement to disregard minor inconveniences in the pursuit of revolutionary change. 'Fire!' is a battle cry, and the hand-me-down hamburger represents unsatisfactory, second-rate offerings in life.
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Melinda Stevenson
Wicked song! Love it! I am a just crazy hippie trippin' and lookin' for cool videos. This Locust band is unbelievable!
Sam Hunt
i'm starting to love them more and more
DKJello
the only musical artist group that will ever matter. That dancing skeliton was sexy
Ivan Rivas
It's. Beautiful. :')
Suck my doggy's cock
This band should be on encyclopaedia metallum
Leslie McAwesome
Wow, wicked video. I liked it. =^D
dalepoop
OPEN FIRE!!!! WHEN WE HIT THE SHORE!!!
Justine Sison
haha i fucking love this video
theenemylines
crazy,powerful,loco,cool,good....
Carnivorous Artichoke
When I saw the name the locust I was thinking of the goregrind band. But this stuff is still pretty good.