“Damn, situation’s new to me…” This iconic opening line of You Will Be A Hot Dancer kicks off Incubus’ debut studio album, Fungus Amongus, and immediately throws listeners into a world of quirky funk-rock uncertainty. Later re-recorded for the Enjoy Incubus EP, this track isn’t just a humorous introduction; it’s a revealing glimpse into a young band grappling with their identity and sound. For anyone exploring the early work of Incubus, Hot Dancer is more than just a song – it’s an essential piece of their formative puzzle.
In their nascent stages, Incubus, comprised of teenagers Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Alex Katunich (Dirk Lance), and José Pasillas, wore their musical influences like badges of honor. Fungus Amongus and Enjoy Incubus are vibrant tapestries woven with threads of Primus’s eccentricity, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ funk-infused energy, and Mr. Bungle’s avant-garde experimentation. Singer Brandon Boyd, in particular, faced early criticism for channeling Mike Patton’s vocal stylings, a testament to the powerful impact of these musical heroes. However, to dismiss this as mere imitation is to overlook the context: these were high school musicians finding their footing. What teenage band hasn’t mirrored their idols? It’s crucial to acknowledge that even in these early recordings, Incubus demonstrated remarkable musical talent. The rhythm section of Dirk Lance and José Pasillas was exceptionally tight for their age, and Mike Einziger’s guitar work was already displaying a level of sophistication uncommon in musicians their age. While Incubus hadn’t yet forged a completely unique musical path, the songwriting on Fungus/Enjoy, including Hot Dancer, was remarkably mature and effective for a band in its early stages. Reflecting on the countless high school bands churning out derivative sounds, the originality and skill on display in Hot Dancer and the surrounding albums are genuinely impressive.
Delving into Hot Dancer itself, the song’s narrative of a flamboyant protagonist comes alive through its musical arrangement. Mike Einziger’s guitar intro emerges like a velvety curtain rising, setting the stage for the track’s theatrical funkiness. The rhythm section, with José Pasillas’s drumming and Dirk Lance’s bassline, creates an almost stumbling, yet compelling groove, mirroring the awkward charm of the lyrical “Hot Dancer.” The chorus, with its slightly off-kilter energy, adds to the song’s endearing clumsiness. Brandon Boyd’s vocal performance in Hot Dancer is deliberately exaggerated, shifting between groans and strained vocals, embodying the teenage bravado and insecurity of the song’s persona. It’s a performance that aims for both humor and seduction, delivered with a youthful, almost defiant swagger. While a first-time listener in 2024 might find Hot Dancer dated or unrefined, for long-time Incubus fans, nostalgia plays a significant role in its enduring appeal. It’s undeniably fun, driven by a bassline that practically compels you to move. Despite any vocal criticisms, the infectious energy of Hot Dancer makes it impossible not to sing along, mimicking every vocal inflection with enthusiastic abandon.
A standout moment in Hot Dancer is the instrumental mid-section. The Fungus Amongus version features a dynamic percussion break leading into Mike Einziger’s guitar solo. Given José Pasillas’s drumming prowess and Brandon Boyd’s interest in percussion, it’s somewhat surprising that early Incubus didn’t explore more percussive elements beyond intros and outros. The Enjoy Incubus rendition of this section incorporates DJ Lyfe’s turntables, hinting at a potential evolution or perhaps an original intention for a more layered sound. The guitar solo itself is a true highlight, balancing quirkiness with melodic catchiness. It possesses a distinct character that sets it apart, contributing significantly to the song’s overall identity.
You Will Be A Hot Dancer serves as the perfect opening track for both Fungus Amongus and Enjoy Incubus. Beyond being a strong and engaging song, it establishes the tone for the albums and provides a crucial insight into Incubus’s internal contradictions. They were a band straddling genres, too funky for metal purists and too edgy for the mainstream funk scene. This duality is reflected in their persona – wanting to be taken seriously while simultaneously embracing a playful, almost irreverent attitude. The “hot dancer” character becomes a metaphor for Brandon Boyd himself, embodying a longing to be comfortable with self-expression, even when it feels ostentatious or awkward. This inherent tension, this push and pull between seriousness and playfulness, might be argued as a recurring theme throughout Incubus’s entire career. Perhaps Hot Dancer, in its raw and unfiltered form, is not just an introduction to their early albums but also a microcosm of the band’s ongoing journey of self-discovery and musical evolution.
Finally, the skit at the end of Hot Dancer on Fungus Amongus deserves a mention. While album skits can often be hit-or-miss and quickly lose their charm, this particular skit is indelibly etched into the memories of early Incubus listeners. Featuring a boy harassing a department store Santa Claus, culminating in the memorable line, “How’d you get so fat, fatass?”, the skit adds another layer of quirky humor to the track. The chaotic sounds that follow, ending with a muffled cry, contribute to the song’s overall offbeat and slightly unsettling charm.
In conclusion, You Will Be A Hot Dancer is far more than just a humorous opening track. It’s a crucial entry point into understanding the formative years of Incubus. It showcases their musical talent, their diverse influences, and the band’s nascent exploration of identity, all wrapped within a uniquely funky and memorable song. For fans and newcomers alike, Hot Dancer remains a vital and enjoyable piece of the Incubus story.
