The Locust: Most Annoying Band in California

[@RyanCAyers]

I sat next to Gabe Serbian in our 8th grade history and literature classes. I was the new kid in town and he made me feel welcome and accepted. Gabe was one of the funniest, kindest, and most creative people I’ve ever been blessed to have known.

[@ttott0013]

Rest in POWER GABE!

[@smellymala3103]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@bryanriggs9639]

RIP, Gabe was the best. I'm an SD guy too...

[@Poqanics]

Upland?

[@RyanCAyers]

@@Poqanics Twin Peaks Middle School in Poway

[@katoffeevhs9798]

i saw these 20 years ago, opening for dillinger escape plan. they blew me away, their weird presence, their mastery of the instruments. unique experience!

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

Mastery?

[@FacelessFlesh666]

Saw them with Dillinger back then as well.Daughters were on the bill also.

[@ALMM.andallopezmecamason]

@@FacelessFlesh666This was an epic lineup, one of my most memorable shows to have attended. 🥷🏾

[@stemcellphone]

I caught this tour as well, at UC Davis.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

I saw them live and gave each member a $5 bill for downloading their music. They were all really surprised by that.

[@peteytwofinger]

thats the best thing i ever read in the comments section, hats of sir .

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

@@peteytwofinger It should be a regular thing! I did the same with Buzz Osbourne and he said it was the first time that ever happened to him. Also Cheetah Chrome because I covered "All This And More" in just about every band I played in. Then we smoked a joint in the ladies room like a couple of 'proper punk rockers."

[@stigma3343]

​@@swilkobarfingtoniii1642King Buzzo!

[@pastorpresent7774]

If everybody who could afford to did that, it could sink Big-Streaming overnight!

[@SNOwyte]

I gave my boy a dollar for downloading his song n he looked surprised too

[@ZERONETWORK0]

I've always loved this band. I think they sound like an army of screamo cyborgs throwing a tantrum while throwing a keyboard down a flight of stairs.

[@goat_horde]

You were dropped on the head please dont have any children and please dont vote

[@FreshFetti97]

RIP Gabe Serbian. his drumming was insane

[@sillylung]

I got to see them with Melt Banana in Birmingham Alabama. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

[@wecoctm]

that sounds like a fun combination!!!

[@sillylung]

@wecoctm oh it absolutely was. There was a 3rd band that opened the show but I can't for the life of me remember who it was. They were awesome but I just can't remember. Maybe someone will see this comment and know who it was. The show was at Bottletree in Birmingham Alabama in the summer of 08 or 09. Edit. I just looked up the show to see who else played. The show was Nov 23 2007. The other whole line up was Yip-Yip, Sleeping People, Melt Banana, then The Locust.

[@peteytwofinger]

We saw them open for fantomas , but i knew who they were . they were fucking GREAT .

[@chrisdryer]

Me too in Boston!

[@cidst8]

Saw that show in Washington DC

[@Levmyshkin123]

They should open for locust buzz Osborne and mike p love locust

[@DanPantzig]

My brother saw that show and DIDN'T know the Locust beforehand, he came back with their T-shirt.

[@sunnohh]

I have seen them nearly a dozen times and was lucky enough to open for them once truly amazing

[@nickbesserer]

Did you ever get to see band in your username? Everything ive heard about the live show sounds really cool, like it's this mesmerizing, ritualistic experience.

[@GRiNDWiZARD187]

Rest in Power Gabe Serbian , Early Cattle influenced generations. His drumming was godlike

[@EDM_5150]

In bowlen where everything gets stolen.

[@PsillyApeUSA]

Human Jerky is forever my favorite grind core album. After Monolith I couldn’t listen to them anymore lol

[@DanHintz]

they had a great sense of humor as well. saw them in san francisco a few times and they were hilarious as well as brutal. great band.

[@grief_hammer]

RIP Gabe Serbian, one of the best to ever blast a beat.

[@sarrk1]

sweetest fellas you'll ever know. RIP Gabe, the sweetest and funniest fella that ever was.

[@KdotLINE]

The Locust, Daughters, and Ed Gein were my jam ... still are too.

[@AtZero138]

Ed Gein!.. How about.. ORCHID,, BOTCH,, DAS OATH,, SOME GIRLS,, SWING KIDS,, BREATHER RESIST,, BLEEDING KANSAS,, BOOK OF DEAD NAMES,, cheers from Orange County California

[@CoochiKente]

Sawtooth Grin?

[@KdotLINE]

@@CoochiKente Yes and No. Love their music, but the high pitched/treble screaming is harsh to listen to.

[@danablack7919]

I saw them open up for FANTOMAS at Emo's in Austin years back...WOW !

[@Crocodonk]

They have done a lot of unique stuff with their releases. The flight of the wounded locust album has a vinyl release with 4 puzzle piece shaped records that all connect; they released a 5 inch picture disc vinyl record that is the size of a cd: The first time I ever seen a 3 inch CD was their self titled album, and they also released a 3 inch CD that is square shaped: just to name a few.

[@Citizen_Nihilist]

I saw The Locust in 2000. Their set was really good and tame by comparison to a lot of the stories circulating around the hardcore scene at the time. Fun fact for those who don't know, the guy on Jerry Springer is Scott Bieben, owner of Bloodlink Records. He released many influential hardcore records by bands such as Chokehold and Frail. He also founded the Lost Film Festival as well.

[@rossguillory5556]

Chokehold!!!! Canadas finest!!

[@BreedersSyndicate]

I love the locust boys. During a period of time they were all friends, but specifically JP and Gabe. Behind closed doors some of the kindest dudes I know

[@0therun1t21]

I love this band, oddly enough even though I'm not a jazz person I think it's the jazz element that gets me. I think they sound beautiful.

[@ルースキーミール]

I live in Japan. Many hardcore fans like them here.

[@stemcellphone]

i have the reverse-flag (red with white circle) Japan tour shirt. I want to see 88 kasyo junrei someday

[@nickbesserer]

Is that anything like 88 boardrum? One of the neatest things ive seen related to that event was someone posting a vid of their perspective at the show, which was standing close to where zach hill was playing. He's like a modern day gene krupa.

[@ルースキーミール]

@@stemcellphone 88 is a great band and very underrated.

[@raimywinter2309]

Locust was so bad ass live.

[@GraveTime]

I love this band and have seen them in Sacramento a few times.

[@bryanriggs9639]

I grew up in San Diego and have seen the Locust over 10 times, they are definitely my favorite home town band and one of my favorite bands in general. I'll let you all know JP is a super nice guy who is still so proactive in the scene. Thank you for making this video!

[@mikerophone235]

"Love Triangle turned Square" even sounds like a Locust song. True Legends. RIP Gabe

[@oumgia5643]

Skilled writers, many changing uniforms, heavy performance art, but basically nerd rock at the bottom of it all. Nerds loved it.

[@supermeansadie6753]

I had to click on this I’ve seen the locust live before about 20years ago. Interesting show for sure.

[@d34dj3d1]

This band looks and sounds like DEVO if they were hooked on crystal meth.

[@Jerrid_86]

😂

[@sometimes_choppers]

Its bad enough this shit is lumped in with grindcore, please don't ruin Devo as well lol. Thx

[@threeonegrecordsyoutube]

@@sometimes_choppers Devo really fucked it up for themselves. instagram.com/p/B3kBtz0JLGV/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[@frogdog3600]

And that's a good thing.👍

[@bobboolala2434]

I grew up in San Diego and I took every chance I had to see the locust as a teenager. Most insane live band ever.

[@bennyshambles]

Correction: Gold Standard Laboratories/GSL was the label that put out their first 7” EP and 12” 45 LP, not Justin Pearson’s Three.One.G label.

[@KingMob9393]

Literally my favorite band.

[@Bizarreparade]

I hear the later Drive Like Jehu in The Locust. Makes more sense now. Man San Diego put some insane music out over the years.

[@bennyshambles]

You should hear Swing Kids, which sounds very similar to Jehu, but with Screamo vocals, similar to Antioch Arrow, which is another huge influence.

[@marcelinomedina3232]

I have seen this band a bunch of times. The keyboard player even got me in touch with a venue to play some shows when I was a young teenager. This brings back memories.

[@cheetopendejo6660]

one of my favorite concerts ever was dillinger escape plan with the locust at the epicentre in mira mesa. i've got a picture of brian from DEP playing guitar hanging from the rafters upside down. locust had a technical difficulty with equipment and they just looped the same sound effect for a really long time while they fixed it..

[@rc.remedy]

Never heard a lot of their stuff, but it always reminds me of Dillinger Escape Plan

[@blastbeatindustries3191]

They toured together in the old days.

[@rc.remedy]

@@blastbeatindustries3191 Ah that makes sense, cheers

[@Krpamojtedrpa]

It has that mathcore feel with weird time signatures and chaotic riffs, but The Locust is just more schizophrenic, specially when you add the synth.

[@KdotLINE]

Definitely have that earlier DEP mathcore vibes - just way shorter songs, a bit more chaos, and some sci-fi sounding elements thrown into a blender.

[@trotskii7941]

I saw one of Pearson's other bands Some Girls in Swindon back in 2004. The vocalist sat at a desk throughout the set.

[@basedsouljah]

Haha fucking Jordan

[@dizax666]

I remember seeing them in Santa Cruz California at a free show headlined by Andrew W. K. One of, if not the best show ive ever been to.

[@50-50_Grind]

Annoying? That's subjective.

[@sweetlikechocothai]

Seeing them live was awesome. They were so tight. No talking into between songs. Just a single snare hit and the song would start. Full big costumes but they took it very seriously.

[@xonthesehands]

san diego legends. i remember seeing them play at the che cafe in la jolla on ucsd grounds and at the showcase theatre in corona, ca (i used to live there). r.i.p. gabe serbian

[@Mark-kt1vm]

Didn’t expect to see a Hellfest reference! You should do a video about those shows, they were always crazy!

[@TravisPastramee]

Saw them in the early 2000s in AZ as a wee lad and had no idea who they were before. Mind destroyed. Instant fan. They forever changed my mind of what music can be, and I will be forever grateful to the Locust for that.

[@Soshikix]

This is awesome. Been a fan of theirs since I heard New Erections and haven't looked back.

[@Richie2394]

Seen them loads of time in Bakersfield years later got to see holy molars with ol members from the locust

[@rudewren]

no joke, i was just watching them perform at the 2004 san deigo music awards. what a coincidence hahaha

[@ktothec24]

Yeah that’s called an algorithm

[@brantleyhester6641]

No it's called time travel!

[@SushiMarshmallow]

That dude with the Locust chest tattoo around 5:55 is my buddy Anthony😂

[@future_me_6067]

This goes beyond California.

[@johnvanbranze1744]

Saw the locust play for maybe 4 minutes on a porch in Lawrence Kansas.

[@KingMob9393]

Also side note, watching JP try to contain himself after snot rocketing on Jerry's carpet is weirdly heartwarming

[@DirtyCHUD]

I'll never forget when I saw their video "Live from the Russian Compound" on Fuse. Blew my mind. One of my biggest influences from there on.

[@FrederickChampaguno]

Crazy you uploaded this! Just watched a documentary about this band on TubiTv called “Don’t Fall In Love with yourself”. Pretty good movie but unaware of the music

[@YonYordan-p7t]

I love everything about this band besides their sound.

[@AkronAsylum]

I was waiting for your first video of the year, and here it is! This channel just doesn't know how to disappoint me.😊 Thank you for your great content and all the best for 2025!🥳

[@KdotLINE]

The Locust kicks ass. RIP Gabe.

[@basedsouljah]

Literally one of the most important bands to ever have shit posted on this earth

[@chrisball3778]

I heard their music in the early 2000's, but I never knew the story about the Jerry Springer appearance. the internet was very limited back then and it was much harder to make those kind of connections with niche media genres like hardcore music. It's kinda pathetic that the Springer producers were so self-righteous about guests faking stories. It's since been confirmed that they were constantly creating fake stories themselves. After a certain point the show became so notorious that hardly anyone was willing to go on it for real and most of the guests were either actors or playing up for the cameras.

[@wastelandersquid8287]

Favorite band hands down! Gotta look up Holy Molar! 🦷

[@awesomebillfromdawsomevill7788]

I used to go through my brothers music when I was younger on the computer to look for “cool” music. I stumbled upon some song by the locust called half eaten deer carcass or something like that and it scared the absolute shit out of me lol. Never really dove into their discography but also never forgot that song either all these years later

[@karlneumann6833]

Saw them live was a chaotic fun experience

[@CharlieMoney777]

Definite Naked City/Zorn influence.

[@reidellis1988]

Struggle and Swing Kids were both freakin awesome.

[@infinidominion]

As heard in the legendary intro of Jim Greco's Baker2g part

[@monkeytailhock2295]

First time I saw The Locust was at Mary Jane FatCat in Houston. Rah Bras, Quintron, Arab On Radar, Lighting Bolt, The Locust. One of the best shows I've ever witnessed.

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

Was that "opps the tour"? I caught that show at Club Laga in Pittsburgh. I was like 13 or something. Lightning Bolt was unforgettable. I was super excited to see the Locust but they just made fun of the crowd, played for five minutes, and then stopped. A real bummer.

[@return2sender791]

Man just the other day i was racking my brain like wtf was that place on washington called.

[@monkeytailhock2295]

@@in.der.welt.sein. that was the Oops tour.

[@bobocop69420]

The Locust and Lightning Bolt alone would make that a god-tier gig.

[@ronanjenkins2323]

That lineup is phenomenal

[@SushiMarshmallow]

One of the best band to ever exist period!!!!!

[@clownpaint20]

His othet band swing kids is pretty good they mix swing music and grind

[@sunnohh]

Swing kids refers to not swing…rofl

[@clownpaint20]

@sunnohh I know lol but they still incorporate swing music and early grind together which to me makes for an original sound that I can appreciate. The song by them I am talking about is called "Disease", you should check out the live performance they did, in my opinion it sounds better than the studio version. 👍

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

I also love his other band Some Girls, they played a mix of hardcore and girls.

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

Please do Unholy Grave. They're legendary

[@Noizedas]

The locust got me kicked out of dennys in 1998

[@marktheroux9465]

I discovered them in the mid-2000s when I was a teenager getting into noise rock. Unfortunately I never got to see The Locust live: I live in Connecticut and apparently they didn't play any East Coast shows after 2008 (I also discovered that they opened for Andrew W.K. at Toad's Place in New Haven in 2004.) I was planning on seeing them headline the Oblivion Access Festival in Austin, Texas, in 2022, but Gabe Serbian died just a few weeks prior. Cattle Decapitation (which Serbian was a founding member of) took the spot instead, with Justin Pearson (who performed at the festival with Deaf Club) giving them an emotional introduction with a tribute to Serbian.

[@blackhistoryofrocknroll]

Some of the homies

[@evlbstrd1060]

saw them in nashville about 20 years ago, cant remember who they opened for. one of my favorite bands

[@accelerativthrust4327]

No way! I was literally just wondering a couple days ago if you were ever going to a video on The Locust or if you were familiar with them! I was at a Locust show in Davenport. Iowa in 97 but left before they played because the band that was touring with them, Jenny Piccolo played and my 16 year old brain couldn't process anything heavier than Korn at the time. Boy, did I regret that decision 2 years later when I heard their self titled record! Definitely one of the most interesting bands to form out of the San Diego scene!

[@scottbird5050]

Was at a few of these shows, these guys blow my mind and are a favorite of mine. Love your vids man, thanks!

[@ianmuessig]

You should definitely do an episode 2 that dives into off shoot bands like Head Wound City, Holy Molar, Dead Cross and One Day As A Lion

[@davidpaul6656]

Sounds like unorganized chaos. I know thats redundant but thats the best way to describe it.

[@emilliehendrix]

Three one g didn’t put out the locust lp, it was gsl.😊

[@mugzyhillbillie6284]

Love this band! Seen them in Baltimore big up B-more

[@MOLTEN_IMP]

Saw them, they were amazing

[@smicrv]

Check out Justin’s other band RETOX!

[@warrenburger9907]

I saw them live years ago with Arab on Radar. I don't really listen to them anymore, but I loved them in a younger, edgier days. I remember seeing the Jerry Springer episode 😂 good stuff

[@ryanwilson2016]

"You pissed on somebody's leg?" "No sir, it was raining."

[@MaharlikaAWA]

I saw this band live in a basement in Eugene, Oregon in either 99 or 00. It was a decent show.

[@deadlynightshade6581]

I like their version of mexican radio 😂

[@deepzeliade-dk8uo]

what a beautiful band, what a brilliant bunch of people. god bless them.

[@vars666]

Struggle was one of Justin's Hardcore bands . Very political and angry. Love it

[@rascaltuff]

tbh the Locust is one of the best bands of this genre. i said what i said. they didn’t take themselves so fucking seriously

[@SpiritsofJigoku]

In 2003 I was in Wisconsin to perform at Milwaukee Metal Fest and was trying to catch as many bands as I could before and after performing. I watched the Locust while standing next to Devin Townsend and Gene Hoglan. The whole time I was like "What the Hell is this?"

[@joesphschramm3754]

Milwaukee has become a great spot for music.

[@PopeNorton]

Doesn't really sound much different than the stuff I listened to in the mid 80s. I like it!

[@ilikeitdark13]

Great band....

[@Rezto_]

Wish I could have saw them live

[@smellymala3103]

Rest in peace, Gabe, my hs drum god

[@eboticus3421]

I saw them in Athens Georgia way back in the day with Fantamos. I always liked them but just in small doses lol

[@Lee-wk3cb]

THE LOCUST ARE NOT ANNOYING. TAKE IT BACK. WERE* WHATEVER.

[@jamiecashes]

This band is awesome! Le Shock is awesome as well!

[@D1E5ECT]

Rusty Todd Andrew haha

[@basedsouljah]

Hot ROD TODD IS A FUCKING LEGEND!! It takes a special kind of dork to enjoy Le Shok 😅

[@FTW_666]

I can’t even remember where I saw these guys. Reminded me a bit of A.C. They were good guys.

[@InformationSniper-xb2sn]

Screamo-Violence Pioneeres

[@concertmania]

The doc about Justin Pearson is great

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

Yeah I just saw that and it was very good!!!

[@marlondavis9450]

When I first heard of the locust I was like “WTF is that!!!!?”, it took me a while to appreciate what they going for and around “New Erections” is when I fully understood what they’re about.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Hard-core Devo?!

[@ronanjenkins2323]

Love these fellas.

[@james_the_animator]

As a long-time DEP obsessive, I heard The Locust's name a lot but didn't check them out until Gabe Serbian passed away. Their sound clicked for me immediately and now they're probably my second favorite band. I will always regret that I was too young to see them live when they played on the east coast. I love all of DEP's drummers, but Gabe was the GOAT and it's not questionable for me.

[@9THLVL]

Thank you for this

[@scottdittmer5597]

To this day I can't believe I saw them at Butlins.