Brandon Boyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brandon Boyd
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Boyd performing with Incubus in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brandon Charles Boyd |
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| Born | February 15, 1976 Van Nuys, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
Brandon Charles Boyd (born February 15, 1976) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock band Incubus. With Incubus, he has recorded eight studio albums.
Besides his work with Incubus, Brandon Boyd has also released two solo albums. These are The Wild Trapeze (2010) and Echoes & Cocoons (2022). He also worked with producer Brendan O'Brien under the name Sons of the Sea.
Contents
Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Brandon Boyd finished high school at Calabasas High School in 1994. He then went to Moorpark College for two years. After that, he focused fully on his band, Incubus. Brandon grew up in Calabasas, California. His friend Ricky Taylor helped inspire him to write music.
His parents, Priscilla "Dolly" Wiseman and Charles Boyd, were both involved in the entertainment world. They encouraged his artistic side from a young age. His younger brother, Jason Boyd, was the lead singer of the band Audiovent. His cousin, Berto Boyd, is a talented Flamenco guitarist. Another cousin, Sam Boyd, is a professional motocross rider. Brandon once shared that he felt he hadn't created his best work yet. This was because he couldn't read music.
Music Career with Incubus
Forming Incubus and Early Success
Brandon Boyd helped start the band Incubus. In the beginning, he designed posters to advertise their first shows. When they perform live, he sometimes plays the guitar. He also uses other instruments in their songs, like the didgeridoo and djembe.
Boyd's unique voice helped the band get noticed by Sony's Epic/Immortal Records. They signed Incubus in 1996 after hearing their self-released album, Fungus Amongus. People often compared Boyd's singing style to Mike Patton, another famous singer. Boyd has said that Patton was a big influence on him since he was a teenager.
Incubus' first two albums with the record label, Enjoy Incubus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E., were not widely known at first. However, their next albums, Make Yourself and Morning View, became very popular. Brandon Boyd became quite famous, especially among young female fans.
Later Albums and Grammy Nomination
In 2004, Incubus released A Crow Left of the Murder.... This album was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The band released Light Grenades in 2006. In 2009, they put out a greatest hits album called Monuments and Melodies.
In 2011, Incubus finished their seventh studio album, If Not Now, When?. It came out on July 12, 2011, followed by a tour. This was their last album with Sony Music. In 2015, they released an EP (a shorter album) called Trust Fall. In 2017, Boyd and Incubus worked with the artist Skrillex on a song called "8".
Art, Books, and Solo Projects
Visual Arts and Literature
Brandon Boyd has been drawing his whole life. From 2003 to 2008, he spent more time on painting and other fine art. He used his artwork to help raise awareness about environmental issues. In 2008, he had his first solo art show called Ectoplasm in Los Angeles.
In 2020, he planned a new art show called Impossible Knots. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show first opened online. Later, it was shown in person. Boyd also created a card game called Two Doors/Deux Portes. It was based on his watercolor paintings.
Boyd has written three books. These books include his drawings, photos, song lyrics, and other thoughts. His books are White Fluffy Clouds (2003), From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss (2007), and So the Echo (2013).
Solo Music Career
On July 6, 2010, Brandon Boyd released his first solo album, The Wild Trapeze. He released music videos for songs from the album, including "Runaway Train" and "Last Night a Passenger."
In 2013, Boyd announced his new band, Sons of the Sea. While Incubus was taking a break, Sons of the Sea went on tour in 2013 and 2014. He released an album with the band, also called Sons of the Sea. He also went on a book-signing tour for his book So The Echo.
On March 11, 2022, Boyd released his second solo album, Echoes & Cocoons. It was produced by John Congleton. In 2022 and 2023, Boyd appeared in the TV series Reservation Dogs as a character called White Jesus. In February 2024, he was featured on the Night Verses's song "Glitching Prisms".
Personal Life and Charity Work
In 2011, Brandon Boyd created a large mural at the Hurley Space Gallery. This art piece helped raise awareness about how single-use plastics harm the world's oceans. Boyd is involved with many groups and good causes.
In 2003, he and his Incubus bandmates started The Make Yourself Foundation. This non-profit organization has raised over $1.4 million. It helps various charities locally and around the world. The foundation has given money to more than 60 different non-profit groups.
In a recent interview, Boyd mentioned that he is married. His wife is a fan of the singer Lizzo. Lizzo later joined Incubus on stage for a performance of their song “Aqueous Transmission.”
Discography
- With Incubus
- Fungus Amongus (1995)
- Enjoy Incubus (EP) (1997)
- 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)
- 8 (2017)
- Trust Fall (Side B) (EP) (2020)
- Solo
- The Wild Trapeze (2010)
- Echoes & Cocoons (2022)
- With Sons of the Sea
- Compass (EP) (2013)
- Sons of the Sea (2013)
- Featured Appearances
- Strait Up - Snot (2000)
- Leave on Your Makeup - Ben Kenney (2013)
- Glitching Prisms - Night Verses (2024)
Images for kids
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Boyd performing in 2004
See also
In Spanish: Brandon Boyd para niños
