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.
Wet Nurse Syndrome Hand-Me-Down Display Case
The Locust Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loose screws swallowed sometimes stick out.
Stomach acid exceeding blood,
Victory factory all tapped-out.
Conveyor belt hobbies seldom furnish in unfamiliar settings.
The ultimate dependence shower.
Sore thumb sandwich tastes great at this point.
The nervous system never had it so good.
The Locust's song Wet Nurse Syndrome Hand-Me-Down Display Case is filled with cryptic and abstract lyrics that can be interpreted in multiple ways. One possible interpretation is a scathing critique of consumerism and the capitalist system, where people are constantly bombarded with messages to consume more and more. The first line, "passed down, tuned in, turned on, face down," may suggest that people are blindly following the herd mentality without questioning what they are doing. The second line, "loose screws swallowed sometimes stick out," could signify the damage caused to individuals who are forced to conform to societal norms. The line "stomach acid exceeding blood, victory factory all tapped-out," could refer to the toll that consumerism takes on people, where success is equated with material possessions and people continuously strive to accumulate more.
The other lines, "conveyor belt hobbies seldom furnish in unfamiliar settings," "the ultimate dependence shower," and "the nervous system never had it so good," further expand on the idea of dependence and addiction to consumerism. The song highlights how people feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment when they buy or consume something, but this feeling is fleeting and temporary. The "sore thumb sandwich tastes great at this point" could also refer to the notion that people have become accustomed to pain and suffering and have accepted it as a normal part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Passed down, tuned in, turned on, face down.
Inheriting habits and being influenced by them aggressively, resulting in a state of mental and physical disorientation.
Loose screws swallowed sometimes stick out.
Trying to suppress negative thoughts or feelings, but they tend to become apparent to others despite the attempt to hide them.
Stomach acid exceeding blood,
The overwhelming pressure or anxiety that one experiences can lead to physical discomfort and illness.
Victory factory all tapped-out.
The repeated cycle of success and achievement can eventually lead to a depletion of motivation and inspiration.
Conveyor belt hobbies seldom furnish in unfamiliar settings.
Repetitive and monotonous activities may not be applicable or helpful in new and different situations.
The ultimate dependence shower.
The excessive reliance on someone or something, leading to a complete loss of independence and self-sufficiency.
Sore thumb sandwich tastes great at this point.
Although painful or uncomfortable, the feeling of individuality or uniqueness can be satisfying and fulfilling at times.
The nervous system never had it so good.
The state of heightened excitement or stimulation can be overwhelming and potentially damaging to one's mental and physical health.
Contributed by Mia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.