The Locust

The Locust is edging toward punk superstardom, if not infamy. From accusations of drug abuse and critiques of its image, the San Diego band has been surrounded by controversy and rumors for years. (The insect-like costumes its members don onstage are just part of their reaction to this attention.) Musically speaking, the Locust isn't a band one would expect to draw this much attention, as its hardcore-influenced spaz punk isn't easily palatable for the average listener. On its newest (and longest, at 23 minutes) release New Erections, the band is in a constant state of experimentation, molding and mutating sound into brutal, spastic bursts of noise. Hipster art or garbage? Let the live show decide for you.