Formed during the mid nineties THE LOCUST, a heady brew of Hardcore, Punk and Grind, was founded by frontman and bassist Justin Pearson, a veteran of acts such as STRUGGLE, BRAIN TOURNIQUET, SWING KIDS and CRIMSON CURSE. Formative members included BRAIN TOURNIQUET guitarist Dylan Scharf, second guitarist Bobby Bray, TARANTULA HAWK keyboard player Dave Warshaw and drummer Dave Astor.

Getting into their stride the band issued split product with JENNY PICCOLO, ARAB ON RADAR and MAN IS THE BASTARD. The band unit endured a succession of line-up changes but maintained their presence on the live circuit both in the USA and Europe. THE LOCUST's debut eponymous album, all 13 minutes of it, arrived in vinyl format the Autumn of 1998 on the GSL label. The entire pressing of 2000 copies swiftly sold out and a CD re-issue in May of 1999 followed suit as touring extended its reach into Japan. The following year a drum n' bass double 12" set of the track 'Well I'll Be a Monkey's Uncle' was released as part of GSL's LAB Remix Series. 2000 also witnessed the departure of original drummer David Astor, being superseded by Gabe Serbian from vegetarian Grind act CATTLE DECAPITATION.

THE LOCUST gigged in Japan for the second time during 2001, headlining five shows and supporting AT THE DRIVE IN at four more. A notable release would be the 2001 'Flight Of The Wounded Locust' EP, which comprised four 7" singles that locked together in a jigsaw. Five new tracks also saw release as a split EP shared with Tokyo's MELT BANANA. US headline gigs spanned the country for a six week stint prior to THE LOCUST acting as guests for ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT. With a third round of European dates fulfilled Gabe Serbian then united with ALEC EMPIRE and MERZBOW for a one-off performance at Japan's 'Fuji Rock' festival that July.

THE LOCUST members are naturally employed in a myriad of side ventures. The triumvirate of guitarist Bobby Bray, bassist Justin Pearson and drummer Gabe Serbian also operate with HOLY MOLAR working with former CHARLES BRONSON vocalist Mark McCoy. Pearson is also active with SOME GIRLS. Keyboard player Joey Karam is to be found on the live circuit as drummer for DEATH DRUG and LE SHOK.

THE LOCUST's 2003 offering 'Plague Landscapes' was produced by FUDGE TUNNEL's Alex Newport. THE LOCUST would open dates for ANDREW W.K. and FIREBALL MINISTRY's May 2004 US dates.

The band undertook a short run of West Coast dates in February 2005 alongside EX MODELS, THE PLOT TO BLOW UP THE EIFFEL TOWER and UPSILON ACRUX. An EP, 'Safety Second, Body Last', would be issued in March. THE LOCUST, FANTOMAS and TRIO CONVULSANT formed up the 2005 US 'Geek' tour in April.