'We Carved Our Own Path'

Alt-rock standouts Incubus reflect on prescient sound, 20-year legacy and coming out of it ‘alive’ 

- Gary Graff

THE FIVE MEMBERS OF INCUBUS are gathered in their practice space, an appropriately dingy, windowless room in an industrial park in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. “You can make as much noise as you want and no one cares,” says guitarist Mike Einziger, 40. They’re rehearsing the new songs off their forthcoming album 8, prepping for the April 21 release and the ensuing tour in July. “It always starts off like a great mess,” he adds, “and then slowly comes together.”

Things are coming together — and then some — for the Calabasas, Calif., band these days. The new LP, its first full-length since 2011’s If Not Now, When?, draws on all manners of rock, with added world music and jazz touches. The characteristically eclectic set even earned a late-stage remix from chart-topping DJ-producer Skrillex, 29, providing a decisively modern punch for the veteran act, which this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of its major-label debut album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E.

Throughout their lengthy career the altrockers have notched six top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and 14 top 10 tracks on the Alternativechart, four of which went to No. 1. “Drive” was one of them, and as 8 rolls out, Einziger and frontman Brandon Boyd, 41, pronounce themselves and their bandmates rejuvenated and ready for the next 20-year ride.

It has been 20 years since S .C .I.E .N.C .E . Does it feel like it has been that long?