Incubus finds inspiration in Malibu By Ramiro Burr

San Antonio Express-News

Sometimes, a band has to go somewhere different or special to find inspiration.

For Incubus, that sojourn meant taking up residency in an ocean-side mansion in Malibu, Calif.

"It was our first time writing in an environment that was very inspiring and beautiful," said drummer Jose Pasillas II. "In the past, we've written our albums in little, dark, dingy studios."

The band was holed up in that mansion, with 29-foot ceilings and a built-in studio, for 41/2 months earlier this year, trying to get the juices flowing. It was a new experience for Incubus, and the result was its upcoming CD "Morning View," slated for an Oct. 23 release.

Pasillas said that "Morning View" is the result of a new approach.

"We have some of the slowest music we've ever done," he said. "We have one song, 'Mexico,' that is just (vocalist) Brandon (Boyd) and (guitarist) Mike (Einziger). Just acoustic guitar, vocal and one cello. It's kind of a dark, melancholy song. We also have some of the heaviest music we've ever done — 'Blood on the Ground' and 'Under My Umbrella.'"

The quintet, which also includes bass player Dirk Lance, doesn't have a cello player, of course. For that and many other effects, it counts on DJ Chris Kilmore, who also provides the group's subtle hip-hop flavorings.

"Kilmore has all the backup vocals," Pasillas said. "He's going to be the busiest one of all of us, because he's dropping strings, backup vocals and his own DJ parts. Everything we record, we bring into our live shows as well."

Incubus again teamed up with producer Scott Litt for "Morning View." Litt produced the group's previous release, the double-platinum "Make Yourself," and has worked with R.E.M.

Pasillas said Litt doesn't help with the songwriting, which is all done by the band, but he provides valuable perspective when the members get lost in minutiae. "When we're working on an idea in the studio for too long, and we can't even see it anymore, he's good at making us step away from it and working on something else, and kind of keeping us a team," he said. "He also has an extensive background, so he has a lot of ideas as well."

Incubus became a top name in alternative rock circles with the hit singles "Pardon Me," "Stellar" and "Drive" off 1999's "Make Yourself."

"Pardon Me" mixed blazing guitars, start-stop dynamics and sardonic lyrics about escaping reality. "Stellar" turned heads with Einziger's sultry, soulful guitar playing and the way the soft, swirling melody of the verse exploded into a cathartic, full-blast chorus. "Drive" relied on dissonant Alice in Chains-derived harmonies and a rollicking backbeat augmented by Kilmore's DJ scratching.

Incubus was formed in 1991 among high school friends in Calabasas, Calif. Pasillas, who said he was "a little skateboard punk" back then, enjoyed listening to underground rock bands.

Incubus' first album was "Fungus Amongus" in 1995. The group followed that up with the 1997 EP "Enjoy Incubus" and album "S.C.I.E.N.C.E." The band stayed on the road as much as possible, joining the lineup for the 1998 Family Values Tour and the 2000 Ozzfest.

Pasillas said "Morning View" continues in the Incubus tradition of making stylistic leaps. It could take several listens to get into the vibe, he added.

"Just basically, listen with an open mind," he said. "It's not like 'Make Yourself' or any other album we've done. For true fans who have followed us from the beginning, they'll expect that."