Incubus rose to fame by separating themselves from the masses with a relentless touring schedule and a diverse musical range. Their unique blend of heavy metal, funk, and alternative rock allowed them to stand out among their contemporaries.
At the heart of Incubus is the lead singer, Brandon Boyd. More than just a musician, Boyd is also a talented artist who has been drawing his entire life. Between 2003 and 2008, he shifted his focus towards fine art, specifically painting. During this period, he took part in various group and solo exhibitions, leveraging his artwork as a means of environmental activism. In this article, we will be listing some of the lesser-known facts about Incubus and Brandon Boyd.
1. Ozzfest Made Them A Metal Band
Thanks to Ozzfest, Incubus was initially labeled as a metal band. Their breakthrough into the mainstream came when they performed at this influential music festival. Ozzfest plays a significant role in defining a band as metal, as Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne handpick the bands that perform, ensuring only the finest of the genre grace the stage.
2. Boyd And His Tattoos
Brandon Boyd’s body is a canvas for a diverse range of tattoos, each with its unique story and symbolism. His forearms carry the Tibetan mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum,’ while a koi fish swims gracefully on his body. An intricate back tattoo showcases the ‘All-Seeing Eye’ within a pyramid, and the ‘Eye of Horus’ adorns his right ankle. Inspired by Aubrey Beardsley’s famous artwork, ‘The Peacock Skirt,’ Boyd also has a stunning tattoo on his left arm.
3. A Hiatus That Makes Sense
Incubus took a hiatus in 2008 that made perfect sense. Sometimes, bands need a breather, and if they don’t take it, it can lead to the band’s demise. Unlike other bands that go on hiatus due to internal disputes or creative differences, Incubus recognized the importance of taking time off to recharge and keep the band’s spirit alive.
4. The Muse Behind ‘Stellar’
The music video of ‘Stellar,’ released in 2000, features the band playing in a surreal, celestial setting, with a young woman, played by Brandon Boyd’s then-girlfriend Jo, traveling through space to meet him. The backdrop of floating lines and graphs during the chorus adds a mesmerizing touch.
Boyd revealed the inspiration behind the song in an unsourced interview stating:
“The lyrics to ‘Stellar’ were inspired by my lover, Joan English. It’s about love as a transcendental feeling, like free-floating in outer space. It’s kind of a traditional song in that way.”
The song was released as the second single from their third album, ‘Make Yourself,’ on June 13, 2000. It climbed the charts, reaching number 2 on the US Modern Rock Tracks and making waves on other charts as well.
5. Brandon Boyd’s Father is the Marlboro Man
The iconic Marlboro Man, a figure used in advertising campaigns for Marlboro cigarettes from 1954 to 1999, was first conceived by Leo Burnett. Brandon Boyd’s father, Chuck Boyd, is none other than the Marlboro Man himself. Describing himself as ‘one proud father’ in a CNN interview, it seems the Boyd family is no stranger to charisma and talent.
Every Fact Is A Story Of Its Own
From their start as an Ozzfest metal band to their diverse musical influences, Incubus and their frontman Brandon Boyd have gathered fans for decades. Boyd’s tattoos tell a story of their own, while his artistic talents extend beyond music and into the world of fine art.
The band’s hiatus in 2008 demonstrated their wisdom in maintaining the group’s longevity, and their hit single ‘Stellar’ revealed the power of love as a muse for their creativity. Finally, the surprising connection between Boyd’s father and the Marlboro Man adds another fascinating layer to the family’s legacy.
