Earlier this year, Incubus released a two-disc career retrospective, “Monuments and Melodies.” The set, which packs major hits along with rarities, was a long time coming for the Calabasas, Calif.-based band that made its bold debut nearly 15 years ago by mixing up heavy rock riffs with sticky funk rhythms, turntable pyrotechnics and frontman Brandon Boyd’s soul-searching lyrics. Having spent most of this summer on the tour promoting the collection, the singer tells us that Incubus spent a lot of time thinking about its next move. Wherever the band goes, he says, it will most likely be inspired by his newfound love for playing his recently acquired Gibson 335s. “It's like having a new pair of shoes -- you can run faster and jump higher,” Boyd says. “I'm going to write hit songs soon.”
What went through your head as you were picking the songs for "Monument and Melodies" – dread or elation?
It was neither. It wasn't like pulling teeth and it wasn't a cakewalk either, which is usually the case with putting together music for a compilation. We didn't reach back far enough for the material that makes me really nervous. Those songs do exist but we did not include them. This is our first collection. Hopefully there will be another one and we can have enough distance to include them on that.
Can you sense your growth as a songwriter and performer over time as you listen back to it now?
Definitely. That's one of the more interesting things about being an artist for your sense of wellbeing. It's a very strange thing because most of your life is concentrated on that created output. It provides this window into you moments in your life, where you were either upset enough or happy enough to put your feelings on paper. So you get this chance to go back and visit these moments. When I had all the material there I was trying to think what would be the most accurate best-of. I had to go through it all and it was humbling. It really gave me some interesting hindsight where we came from as a band and where we're heading. I have no idea where we’re heading, which is exciting. I really have no idea. There is still a lot more to cover. We never know what we're getting ourselves into. It's going to be surprising and scary.
Were you able to knock out any new material while you were sitting around and doing sound checks during your summer tour?
Quite a bit, actually. More than I thought. We hadn't been on tour for a year. We rehearsed at my house and there was a newness to it. We hadn't been around each other and it was nice to see everybody and put our heads back together and do what we do best. After about two weeks of getting the set down, the sound checks become a chance for us to fart around. A lot of time was spent jamming. So a lot of new ideas were born.
When did you start playing the guitar?
I'm almost reluctant to say because of my ability level, but I started when I was 14. I kind of lost interest because I became fascinated with writing lyrics and screaming at the top of my longs. I got emotionally invested in that. And then I severed my Achilles tendon six years ago while I was gardening and I was off my feet for six months. I couldn't do anything except sit on the couch and draw, watch movies , smoke pot and play guitar. So we had already sold a few million albums when I started properly playing guitar.
Has it changed the way you write music?
Definitely. I'm kind of fascinated by the guitar. I'll tool around on it for hours on end and I'll just hover on a sound or chord for a long time and music is born out of it; A structure of a song starts to emerge, a melody starts to emerge. It's a new tool for me because it's made writing music fresh.
Because you’re not really used to playing guitar while you’re onstage, does it ever interfere with your singing?
No. I don't play guitar enough onstage. We do one song where I'll the play the guitar by myself and sing all the way through. My knee jerk reaction is just nerves. But once I'm doing it, it gets a little bit better. It's a craft. When I see people like Sting, singing and playing the bass, you have to respect it. So many people take it for granted. It's really not easy. It's something they've specialized in. It's kind of an amazing thing.
Is your guitarist Mike Einziger getting nervous?
He is not. And he has no reason to be. I have no aspirations to be a shredder. I'm more a strummy, rhythm guy. I'm just keeping up and trying to support what these guys are doing. Our bass player Ben Kenney is an incredible guitar player. He's a total shredder guy. So when I'm playing with these guys it makes me seem like a better player.
So how is the Gibson 335 working out for you?
It is absolutely gorgeous. I probably don't deserve that guitar at this stage in my growth but I'm doing my best. It's just buttery. That’s the best way to describe it. Playing it is like butter. It's like having a new pair of shoes. You can run faster and jump higher. I'm going to write hit songs soon.
What is it that you like about the sound and features?
Like I said, it's got that buttery thing. I love standing in front of my amp with it and hearing it cry back at me. I don't know how real guitar players describe it but I just love the way it sings to me. I have this beautiful tool to help propagate the fascination.
You have one in red and another in white?
The white one arrived just an hour ago. You know that scene in “A Christmas Story” where the dad gets the leg lamp in the mail? It was like the same moment. My girlfriend looked at me with concerned eyes.
I know you've been doing some fine art painting on the side. Do you think you're going to customize it?
I am going to keep it white and let the sweat of the ages decorate it. It's too beautiful. But I'm always working on painting and drawing and things like that. Hopefully there will be a new book. It's nice to be able to indulge more than one of the creative endeavors. I think if you ask most artists, it's rarely one thing that they’re interested in doing.
So maybe the bizarre gardening accident was a good thing?
Yeah, exactly.
Who’s your personal guitar hero?
Kaki King. She's sort of a new friend. She fascinates me. I'm really in awe of her guitar playing.
Don’t you think that’s aiming a bit high?
I’m not aspiring to play like her. I just listen to her and it inspires me to keep plugging away.