While their classmates were concentrating on homework and classes, Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Alex Katunich (a.k.a. Dirk Lance), and José Pasillas, spent 10th grade sowing the seeds for national success as the alternative metal band Incubus. By the time the group graduated high school, they had already become a well-known presence on the music scene in southern California.

In 1997, Incubus released their first full-length album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E., before embarking on numerous tours. These tours, which included opening for such well-known bands as Korn, 311, and Sublime, fueled the band’s rise to the top of the alternative metal scene and landed them a spot in the 1998 Ozzfest and Korn’s Family Values tour.

Hoping to continue their momentum, Incubus followed up their persistent touring by releasing “Make Yourself” in 1999 before returning to the road. With a new sound and another stint at the 2000 Ozzfest tour, Incubus concert tickets were sought out by larger audiences than ever before. Their album gradually obtained double-platinum status, with the song “Drive” breaking through the pop barrier to become a Top Ten hit single.

Incubus’ rise to fame was not without its obstacles, and in 2003 the band sued their label, Sony Music, and was forced to replace their bassist, Dirk Lance, with Ben Kenney. Their popularity did not take a hit throughout the controversies, however, and Incubus released another album in 2004 titled “A Crow Left of the Murder.”

Returning to the road once again, Incubus combined their passion for music with their philanthropic interests by selling bootlegs of their concerts and donating proceeds to their Make Yourself Foundation, created in 2004. Through their foundation, Incubus has donated over $400,000 to organizations such as the Red Cross and Save the Music.

The band is currently in the studio, recording their next full length album, and will no doubt be on the road touring again in no time, to the delight of their legions of fans.