Incubus is a Grammy-nominated alternative metal band based from Calabasas, California. The band formed by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einzinger, and drummer Jose Pasillas. The band grew to include bassist Alex Katunich (a.k.a "Dirk Lance"), and Gavin Kopell (a.ka. "DJ Lyfe"), bith of whom were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney (formerly of the Roots), and DJ Kilmore, respectively on 1991.

Incubus became one of the most popular alt-metal bands of the new millennium, setting themselves apart from a crowded field with a somewhat less negative outlook and a tireless touring ethic. Their early funk-metal sound was heavily influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but broadened over the next few years to incorporate thrash, rap-metal, post-grunge rock, and grinding alt-metal à la Korn or the Deftones. By the time the group members graduated from high school, they had already been playing all-ages shows around southern California on a regular basis. In 1995, Incubus added hip-hop turntablist DJ Lyfe (aka Gavin Koppel) to their lineup and recorded the independently released album Fungus Amongus. That, coupled with a strong local following, helped the band get a deal with Epic subsidiary Immortal.

Over the course of their career, Incubus has utilized elements from a variety of genres and styles. With many critics praising the band's ambition, it has also made them difficult to correctly classify. In the liner notes of the re-released Fungus Amongus, Brandon claims the band wanted

"to be Primus, Mr. Bungle, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers rolled into one. Come on, who didn't want to be that?".

most conclude that Incubus is, at its basis, an alternative rock band. The band has used many unique instruments, including a djembe, sitar, didgeridoo, and bongos on many of their earlier tracks and during live performances, and with the use of a pipa (played by Einziger) in the song "Aqueous Transmission".
Vocalist Brandon Boyd has called avant-garde artist Mike Patton a major influence, with many of his traits appearing both within Incubus' music and within Brandon's vocals. With their earlier albums in particular the band displayed a large amount of experimental qualities, mixing traditional genres such as metal, punk, and grunge with funk, jazz, and psychedelic (and with the introduction of DJ Gavin Koppell and later Chris Kilmore, electronic) influences. Incubus later albums saw them developing a cleaner, more mainstream hard rock sound, while still showing experimentation and growth, drawing in elements and influences from heavy metal, hip hop, surf rock, post-grunge, progressive, folk, and space rock.



Albums: