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.
Who Wants A Dose Of The Clap?
The Locust Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
-gonna go through my wallet
No mercenary
-gonna make CIA
...mash
...food-on the few remaining molars
...hear
Sinking in the
Same sack of
Salivating quicksand
Drown or row? Drown, Drone
The Locust's song "Who Wants A Dose Of The Clap?" is a song with dark and twisted lyrics. The first two lines are an indication of the singer's distrust towards religious and political figures. It suggests that no religious figures or mercenary can take advantage of the singer as he is highly vigilant and cautious about his possessions.
The subsequent lines of the song take a sharp turn and depict a contrasting picture of someone who is down on their luck, living in a state of hopelessness and futility. The lines "mash food-on the few remaining molars" indicate a sense of decay and decay of the body. The mention of flies and cooking steaks is a grim depiction of the singer's current reality, where he is hardly able to make ends meet. The last line of the lyrics, "Drown or row? Drown, Drone" is cryptic and can be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of how the singer sees his life. He is stuck in quicksand and finds it challenging to move forward; his choices are limited to either sinking or making some movement through the water.
Line by Line Meaning
No man of cloth
No religious leader or authority figure will be able to manipulate or coerce me into giving them money.
No mercenary
No soldier or hired fighter will be able to force me to join the CIA or any other organization.
...mash
The sound of the food being mixed and mashed together, likely a reference to the state of the world or society.
...food-on the few remaining molars
The limited resources that are left are being stretched thin, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to survive.
...hear
The sound of flies buzzing around the cooking steaks, possibly invoking thoughts of decay or death.
...flies-steaks are cooking, come inside
Despite the bleak circumstances, the offer of food and a safe haven is extended to those who are willing to take it.
Sinking in the
The feeling of being overwhelmed or stuck in an impossible situation.
Same sack of
The common or shared predicament that everyone is in.
Salivating quicksand
The desire for survival or prosperity is pulling people down, trapping them in place.
Drown or row?
A decision must be made between giving up and allowing oneself to be overcome, or fighting to survive at all costs.
Drown, Drone
Choosing to drown, or to submit oneself to the fate that is supposed to be inevitable.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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