Think of Incubus’ new album and tour as a rebirth of sorts. Not only are the band members readjusting to their renewed partnership, they are introducing their fans to the most stripped-down, direct music they’ve ever released. Now touring behind their first new album in five years, “If Not Now, When?,” the band introduced the album with a host of night concerts, online chats, and meet and greets at a temporary Los Angeles storefront.
“The biggest challenge of that was spending so much time apart,” said guitarist Mike Einziger. “You get back together and have to figure out how you agree on this, how is this going to work now, how can we [craft music] to a point that we’re happy with it? That’s a big challenge.”
| Onstage |
| Incubus |
| When: 6 p.m. Sunday |
| Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway,Columbia |
| Info: $40 to $55; ticketfly.com; 877-4FLY-TIX |
A challenge that the band seems to have readily met, as evidenced by the fan excitement at the Los Angeles events and the sold-out concert dates on this tour. That reception to the band’s return has arguably shown that even though it has once again mixed up its style, its fan base is ready for the ride.
Some 20 years after setting about to emulate their idols, which included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus is still not one to play it safe. Frontman Brendan Boyd likens the creative path the band took to a wandering stream and, even now, seems a bit surprised by their success.
“There are definitely instances that I look back on with less than fond memories,” he told The Baltimore Examiner in a past interview. “We were continually struggling, facing one upset after another. But when there was even a glimmer of hope, that is what kept us going.”
That type of musical passion still exists within the band members, said Einziger.
“I don’t know what it is people are connecting with in the music,” said Einziger, who studied at Harvard University while the band was on break. “People seem to identify with it. Music helped me get through difficult times … when I was growing up. That inspired me to make my own music. Now I’m able to pay that forward.”
Just what they hope fans take away from the music, is what they took from their musical favorites, Einziger said.
“I guess my hope would be that [fans] connect with it in some way that makes them feel good when they are listening to it,” he said. “That’s really simple, but that’s all you can expect from music.”
