Incubus the third time around

Here is a most welcome change of pace for the Pinoy concertgoer. After all the gushy love songs of the Valentine season, here comes something to rock our world. And I mean really rock. Because the California rock band Incubus will be performing at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena on March 13. That means a true-blue concert of metal, hard rock, punk, nu-metal, alternative rock, good old rock and roll, plus all those other types of rock that Incubus has learned to synthesize into its music.

Formed in 1991 while the members were still in high school, Incubus is made up of Brandon Boyd who is certainly one of rock’s best vocalists today, on the lead vocals and percussion; Mark Einziger on lead guitar, piano and background vocals; Jose Pasillas on drums; Chris Kilmore on the turntable and keyboards; and Ben Kenney on bass and background vocals.

The best way to describe Incubus is fearless. These guys are a lot like Red Hot Chili Peppers in the way they incorporate assorted types of music into their sound but they are even more adventurous. They have not experimented with hip-hop yet but I will not be surprised if they would try something out in this direction one of these days. But name a rock genre and you can bet that these guys have found a way to mix it into their music. Their kind of rock is unique and this is what has kept them on the forefront for over 20 years.

The other reason is that Incubus always puts on a good show. Remember those times when you regretted going to a concert because the band performed only unfamiliar songs? That is not likely to happen with Incubus. The only thing skimpy about the show might be Brandon’s shirt. As those who saw the band at the Araneta Coliseum three years ago in If Not Now, When? will surely attest, they rocked and they rocked and they rocked one fantastic concert that featured all their big hits and many more.

Here is a best of Incubus wish list that fans are hopeful they will perform at the MOA show. Wish You Were Here, Drive, In The Company Of Wolves, Anna Molly, Consequence, Pardon Me, Love Hurts, Circles, Promises Promises, The Warmth, A Crow Left Of Murder, Look Alive, Sick Sad Little World, Isadore, Glass, Talk Shows On Mute, Adolescents, I Miss You and Nice To Know You.

Now, there might be two or three new songs in the line-up. This is because Incubus is getting ready to release a new album within the next few weeks. These will be unfamiliar but as always, they will be good. Come to think of it, I wonder what something new they have been cooking in the upcoming album.  I am sure a lot of others are also curious to find out what they have done with their music again.

Incubus has a very good catalogue of albums. I would readily recommend Light Grenades, A Crow Left Of Murder and If Not Now, When? But if you just want something to refresh your Incubus know-how, you can just check out the Monuments And Melodies album. The two-disc set has some of the band’s greatest hits in one CD, plus rarities in the other. A very good collection. And then you can really gear up for the March 13 event. I am sure the mosh pit will be full.

Tickets to Incubus Live In Manila are priced at P6,080, P5,472, P5,020, P3,960, P2,920, P2,050 and P800. Check them out at smtickets.com.

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Still on ticket prices and this time, it is for a grand show that will cost you only P500 and that is for a worthy cause. The show is a benefit concert for a friend of the entertainment industry who is now confined in the hospital. He is hopefully getting better. Still, he needs help to make his recovery faster and easier. So some big names decided to get together and help.

So here is the invitation to Come Together, Laugh Together and Love Together tonight at 7 at the Zirkoh on Tomas Morato in Quezon City. Set to perform are Martin Nievera, Jon Santos, Jacqui Magno, The Opera, Bituin Escalante, Pinky Marquez-Cancio, Marvin Querido and many more. Here is a show that will ordinarily cost people P3,000 or P4,000 bucks a seat. But not this time. So watch, enjoy and help.