Incubus is an American rock band formed in Calabasas, California, in 1991. The group developed from the friendship of vocalist Brandon Boyd, guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas, who began playing together while attending high school. Bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich completed the early lineup, and the band later added turntablist Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppel. Their music initially combined alternative metal, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and electronic textures, establishing a restless sound that set them apart from more conventional hard rock acts.
Incubus built its early following through extensive club performances in Southern California and released its debut album, Fungus Amongus, independently in 1995. The record introduced the band's energetic and experimental approach, but it was S.C.I.E.N.C.E. in 1997 that more clearly defined their early identity. Driven by heavy guitar riffs, rhythmic complexity, turntables, and rap-influenced vocals, the album became a respected release within the late-1990s alternative metal scene. The Enjoy Incubus EP, issued the same year, helped broaden their audience and supported the band's touring activity, including dates with Korn.
The band's commercial breakthrough came with Make Yourself, released in 1999. Although it retained elements of the group's earlier heaviness, the album emphasized melody, atmosphere, and accessible songwriting. "Pardon Me," "Stellar," and especially "Drive" brought Incubus substantial radio exposure. "Drive" became the group's signature song and helped Make Yourself achieve multi-platinum status in the United States. The music video reinforced the band's move into the mainstream while preserving a visual style based on performance, symbolism, and Boyd's distinctive presence.
Morning View followed in 2001 and expanded Incubus' musical range. Songs such as "Wish You Were Here," "Nice to Know You," and "Warning" favored layered arrangements and reflective moods over the aggressive attack of the band's early work. The album became one of their most successful releases and marked Incubus as a band capable of evolving without abandoning its rhythmic foundation. Katunich departed during this period and was replaced by Ben Kenney, formerly associated with The Roots.
With A Crow Left of the Murder... in 2004, Incubus introduced a more urgent and politically aware edge. The album featured "Megalomaniac," a pointed single accompanied by a controversial video that addressed authoritarian imagery and mass manipulation. Light Grenades, released in 2006, continued the band's movement between hard rock, atmospheric ballads, and experimental production. It became Incubus' first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
The compilation Monuments and Melodies appeared in 2009, gathering established songs, rarities, and previously unreleased material. Incubus then took a more subdued direction on If Not Now, When? (2011), an album shaped by spacious production and slower tempos. After the Trust Fall EPs and the studio album 8 in 2017, the band continued to perform and revisit its catalog. Morning View XXIII, a re-recorded and reworked version of Morning View, reflected the group's interest in reexamining earlier material. Longtime bassist Ben Kenney later left the band, with Nicole Row becoming the bassist.
Throughout its career, Incubus has been recognized for balancing experimentation with broad appeal. Its evolution from a funk-metal club band into a polished alternative rock act has made the group notable for its versatility, visual imagination, and willingness to change direction while retaining a recognizable identity.