Exclusive: Incubus Respond to Religious Protesters

Not everyone in the Philippines is thrilled about Incubus‘ show there on July 28th. Last week, an unknown group sent out a text message protest, urging residents to pray against the band. The message reads, “PRAYER ALERT !! A rock band called INCUBUS s comin 2perform at d Araneta Coliseum on July 28. We mUST pRAY this group dUZnt even step on2 Philippine soil so that they dONT impart their spirits in2 our youth!!”

The message cites the band’s name, defining it as “male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons,” a “situation resembling a terrifying dream” or “someone who depresses or worries others.”

Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger is aware of the message. “I’ve heard people were worried us about bringing our evil music to the holy land there,” he tells Rolling Stone. “In a certain way, it’s kind of an honor and I do very much treat it with a sense of humor.”

But he does have some strong feelings about religious zealotry. “Unfortunately the people who are sending those kinds of messages, they’re not treating it with a sense of humor,” he says. “They’re very serious about it and I think it’s just a part of a larger problem that affects us on a global scale, which is that religious extremism runs rampant.”

And for those spreading the hate about Incubus, he says, “I feel sorry for them. I’m just glad I’m not them because if they actually took a second to listen to any of our music or speak to any of us they could see that we’re actually promoters of peace and we’re huge environmental activists, advocates of social justice.”