The vocalist recalls a great story involving fashion tips from Dimebag Darrell while on tour, and shares the stylistic shift to Make Yourself that initially threw fans for a loop.
The latest in the conversational series from Josh Toomey in the Talk Toomey Podcast welcomed Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd for a discussion that covered a broad spectrum of talking points and a candid exchange about the evolution of the band.
The two began the exchange with some insight to Boyd’s recently released single, “Pocket Knife” from his forthcoming full length solo effort, Echos and Cocoons. Detailing the personal source material of the track, Boyd shared that the track is derived from the work of Carlos Castaneda. Specifically, Boyd spoke to his bout of bad dreams as a child and how he learned to conquer his REM-induced conflict by implementing lessons from his mother who introduced him to the author.
Boyd would go onto the explain how that seems applicable to the here and now. Referencing the pandemic, Boyd ints that this all seems like one collective bad dream that we are universally navigating simultaneously.
Elaborating further on what life has been like during this unprecedented stretch, the frontman confided that he does miss the thrill of touring, but could would ideally prefer to do it without the traveling and airplanes. Boyd detailed how he has found a sense of respite in sticking close to home, exploring his art and growing his own food – finding a sense of self-sufficiency.
Boyd would also discuss the inception of the Moonlight Art Collective with like-minded creatives like Mark Mothersbaugh and Melissa Villasenõr. Started as a means to connect with other artists and produce prints of their shared projects, Boyd confides that he has been blown away with success thus far – with prints moving incredibly well.
The two would eventually get back into music and began with a trip back in time to dissect the S.C.I.E.N.C.E.-era of Incubus. Boyd gave some insight to just how receptive metal fans were, recalling daunting it was touring with Black Sabbath and Pantera – yet the fans gave Incubus a shot and more importantly, didn’t throw shit at them.
Boyd recalled a great story about Dimebag specifically, detailing a time when the famed guitarist gave the band Wrangler jeans as a very suggestive, proactive fashion tip – insisting those jeans would actually fit. He then proceeded to feed the band shots of booze and when Dime hands you a shot – you do not pass.
Boyd discussed the transition from their harder sound to the songwriting evolution that took place on Make Yourself. He spoke candidly about how fans of S.C.I.E.N.C.E. hated Make Yourself initially. The stylistic contrast was significant and though it might have been jarring for fans at first, Boyd admits it was a collection of songs that spoke much more authentically to who the band was.
Closing out the conversation, Boyd jumped back to the present and shared some insight on his forthcoming solo album in Echos and Cocoons. Set to debut in March of 2022, the new year looks to be a busy one with Boyd. Continuing with his art and his music, the vocalist will also confirmed that he will be hitting the road with Incubus as well.
Stream the complete conversation with Brandon Boyd on the Talk Toomey Podcast with Josh Toomey below.
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