Incubus scales Monuments, makes new Melodies (Updated March 13, 2013)

It's not often that individual exploration can make a band stronger. But that's exactly what happened to Incubus, whose members went off to pursue projects in art, film and literature, even as they worked to finish their sixth studio album, "Light Grenades" in late 2006. That record debuted atop the charts, but the band's hiatus would carry through 2008. Then came "Monuments and Melodies."

For many artists, a greatest hits compilation often serves as a segue between projects. For Incubus, "Monuments and Melodies" was a chance to showcase some brand new music, with the single "Black Heart Inertia" released in April 2009, and the album rolling out two months later. In addition to "Black Heart Inertia," disc one also contained the brand new "Midnight Swim," while Disc 2 showcased songs that were rejected demos on prior Incubus albums, as well as an acoustic version of "A Certain Shade of Green, and a cover of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy." In all, it helped "Monuments and Melodies" become the band's fourth album to reach the Top 5 on the Billboard 200, and allowed them to ride that momentum into a summer tour.

By 2010, lead singer Brandon Boyd released his first solo album before Incubus returned to the studio. The band then worked into 2011 to complete "If Not Now, When?" The July release was preceded by the singles, "Adolescents" and "Promises, Promises," and also ended what had become the band's longest gap between studio albums. They vowed to tour for 18 months following the release of the record, ultimately joining Linkin Park as co-headliners on the 2012 edition of the Honda Civic Tour.

In October 2012, Incubus released their second compilation album. Known as "The Essential Incubus," it contains songs spanning the band's entire career.

Incubus Tickets - Straight Out of the San Fernando Valley

If you saw some tenth graders by the names of Brandon Boyd (vocalist), Mike Einziger (guitarist), Alex Katunich (bass guitarist), and Jos? Pasillas (drummer), you wouldn't expect them to form one of the most popular alternative metal bands of the millennium named Incubus. Formed in 1991 right in Calabasas, California, after hard work and countless gigs all over California -- and after recruiting hip-hop turntablist DJ Lyfe -- the band finally hit the motherload. A recording deal with the Epic Records subsidiary, Immortal.

Incubus Tickets - Universalizing Rock to Its Fullest

Their first label release was the small six-song EP Enjoy Incubus, which in 1997 started things off for the band; but it wasn't until they debuted with their first full-length album S.C.I.E.N.C.E. by the end of the year that they were really hitting it big. Incubus is famous for such hits as 'Wish You Were Here,' 'Nice to Know You,' 'Pardon Me,' 'Anna Molly,' 'Warning,' and 'Stellar.'

Incubus Tickets - Their Unique Sound

Early on in their rock days, Incubus was very much influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers with their energetic funk-metal sound, but the band learned to incorporate many other styles -- such as thrash, rap-metal, post-grunge rock, and some grinding alternative metal music reminiscent of Korn or the Deftones.