1997 EP by Incubus
Enjoy Incubus is the second EP and major label debut by American rock band Incubus. It was released on January 7, 1997, by Epic and Immortal Records. It contained re-recordings of songs that were featured on their previous, independent releases Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout Root Beer and Fungus Amongus, as well the previously unreleased song "Version" and an untitled hidden track at the end of '"Hilikus". It was the first appearance on a release by DJ Lyfe, who added turntable scratches to the Fungus Amongus songs, and also supplied saxophone samples. This release was also noted for its introduction of 'Chuck', the mysterious mustachioed man who has become an icon for Incubus's early work. It is also the only Incubus release to feature a Parental Advisory label, despite many of their other albums also containing profanity.
Background
Enjoy Incubus marked the beginning of the band's career with Sony's Epic/Immortal label, who signed them to a seven-record contract in 1996. The EP's turntablist DJ Lyfe joined the band in late 1995.[3] He had seen Incubus play live and asked if they would be interested in using some of his hip hop tracks; Lyfe eventually became a full-time member after just one rehearsal.[3] Brandon Boyd's singing ability, combined with the band's high-energy shows and growing fan base, was what caught the interest of Epic/Immortal.[3]
The EP was released in the US and other countries in January 1997, with the label's strategy being to build the band's fanbase through touring rather than radio airplay.[3] Incubus subsequently joined labelmates Korn, who were supporting their Life Is Peachy release, on a tour of Europe in early 1997.[3] The tour was a success, and helped expose the band to a wider audience.[3] The final show of the tour was in front of more than 5,000 people in Paris. In 1997, Boyd reflected "we had never played in front of a crowd that big, and the response we got far exceeded any response we've ever gotten. To play in front of a crowd that has no idea who you are, and then you start playing and they understand the energy of it and start freaking out, it's quite an experience."[4]
