The Locust was an American hardcore punk band from San Diego, California. Formed in 1994 by Justin Pearson, Dylan Scharf, Bobby Bray, Dave Warshaw, and Dave Astor, the band gained initial traction with a split release featuring Man is the Bastard in 1995. Their first full-length album, The Locust, was released through Gold Standard Laboratories in September 1998. Subsequent albums included Plague Soundscapes (2003) and New Erections (2007), both through ANTI-. Known for theatrical performances with insect costumes and a blend of grindcore aggression and new wave experimentation, the band released an archive recording titled The Peel Sessions in 2010. Following a hiatus, they returned in 2013 and performed at Desert Daze festival in 2019. Their final release was a remix of "Cruel Compensation" by Danny Elfman on the album Bigger. Messier. In May 2022, the band announced the death of drummer Gabe Serbian, leading to their disbandment.
