Brandon Boyd

Brandon Boyd
Boyd performing with Incubus in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Brandon Charles Boyd
Also known as	The Invisible Floating Torso Man (Make Yourself) Happy Knappy (Fungus Amongus) Brandon of the Jungle (Enjoy Incubus) Cornelius (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.)
Born	(1976-02-15) February 15, 1976 Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, funk metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, Surfer, Artist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, percussion, bass
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Epic Records Immortal Records Sony Records
Associated acts	Incubus Sons of the Sea

Brandon Charles Boyd (born February 15, 1976) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, author, and visual artist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the American rock band Incubus.

Early life and Incubus

Boyd graduated from Calabasas High School in 1994 and attended Moorpark College for two years before committing to Incubus. Brandon grew up in Calabasas, CA with Ricky Taylor who inspired him to write music. His parents, Priscilla "Dolly" Wiseman and Charles Boyd, both of whom had experience in entertainment, had nurtured his artistic side since he was a child. Other musical family members include his younger brother, Jason Boyd, the former lead singer of the band Audiovent, cousin Sam Boyd, a songwriter and touring musician, as well as cousin Berto Boyd, an accomplished Flamenco guitarist. In an interview, Brandon explained that he had "yet to stumble across his best work" because he lacked the ability to read music.

Boyd designed concert fliers advertising their early performances. At first, Boyd had copied several drawings from a sex education book that Einziger's mother had given them, but he decided to stop using it after several prospective fans had been confused by their fliers ("What kind of band is this?"). So the band had to retreat back to using their own artwork. He is known for having some guitar parts during live performances.

His voice was part of what enticed Sony's Epic/Immortal Records, and the band was signed in 1996. The band's first two releases on the label, Enjoy Incubus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. went largely unnoticed, but subsequent releases Make Yourself and Morning View were commercial successes. The band's 2004 release A Crow Left of the Murder... has continued their success, nominating the band for Best Hard Rock Performance in the 2005 Grammy Awards. On November 28, 2006, the band released Light Grenades. On June 16, 2009, Incubus released a greatest hits album titled Monuments and Melodies.

In 2011 Incubus finished their seventh studio album If Not Now, When?, which was released on July 12, 2011, followed then by a tour.

On December 13, 2014 they performed their upcoming single entitled "Trust Fall" at KROQ. They announced the release of two EP's in 2015 with the first, Trust Fall, scheduled for March 24, 2015. On February 5, 2015, the single "Absolution Calling" was released.

Literature and fine art

Brandon Boyd has written three books. The first, written in 2003, was White Fluffy Clouds: Found Inspiration Moving Forward. It was published by Endophasia Publications and mainly consists of his artwork, photography, song lyrics from Incubus, and additional writings and thoughts. His more recent publications include, From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss, was also published by Endophasia in 2007 and "So The Echo" which was published in January 2013 and consists of his artwork from the past 5 years.

In recent years, Brandon Boyd has focused on making fine art, specifically painting, and on September 8, 2008 celebrated the opening of his first solo show, titled "Ectoplasm," at Mr. Musichead Gallery in Los Angeles, California.

Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular 2014

Boyd was selected to play the role of Judas Iscariot for the North American arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. He was to play the role starting June 9 through August 17. He was to be joined by Superstar winner Ben Forster as Jesus, Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams as Mary Magdalene, former 'N Sync singer JC Chasez as Pilate, and former Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd lead singer John Lydon as King Herod. On May 31, the tour was canceled due to poor ticket sales.

Solo career

On July 6, 2010, Boyd announced that his debut solo album, The Wild Trapeze was released. On June 21, 2010, a music video for Boyd's first single from The Wild Trapeze, entitled "Runaway Train," was released online. A second music video was released for the album, for the song "Last Night a Passenger" in October 2010.

On January 18, 2013 Brandon announced his new band, Sons of the Sea. With Incubus on indefinite hiatus, Sons of the Sea will tour 2013 and 2014. On May 29, 2013 Brandon released a teaser video announcing the name of the album, Sons of the Sea. That same year, he embarked on a book-signing tour of the Northeast to coincide with his latest publication "So The Echo," as well as the release of "Sons of the Sea"'s eponymous record.

Tattoos

Boyd is known for his wide variety of tattoos. On his forearms he carries the widely known Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, referring to the qualities of generosity, ethics, patience, diligence, renunciation and wisdom. Underneath that is a koi fish in red ink designed by friend and bandmate, José Pasillas. On the inside of his right arm he has several tattoos, one once again incorporating the Tibetan mantra and another designed after Sarah Kerrigan. Following the release of their album "A Crow Left of the Murder," he got an elaborate back tattoo featuring the common image of the All Seeing-Eye embedded in a pyramid. He also has a tattoo of the Eye of Horus on his right ankle. Other tattoos include his parents' names (Priscilla and Charles) on his forearms, an owl on his back, one teardrop on his index finger on both hands, and a picture inspired by Aubrey Beardsley's famous art, "The Peacock Skirt", on his left arm.

Discography

With Incubus

• Fungus Amongus (1995)
• S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (1997)
• Make Yourself (1999)
• Morning View (2001)
• A Crow Left of the Murder... (2004)
• Light Grenades (2006)
• Monuments and Melodies (2009)
• If Not Now, When? (2011)
• Trust Fall (Side A) (EP) (2015)

Solo

• The Wild Trapeze (2010)

With Sons of the Sea

• Compass (EP) (2013)
• Sons of the Sea (2013)