Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California.
The band originated in 2005 from a song titled "The Kids" that Jorel Decker (J-Dog) and Aron Erlichman (Deuce) posted on the band's MySpace profile to positive reviews, leading them to form the group Hollywood Undead with their friends Jeff Philips (Shady), George Ragan (Johnny 3 Tears), Jordon Terrell (Charlie Scene), Dylan Alvarez (Funny Man), and Matthew St. Claire (Da Kurlzz). In an interview with Shave magazine, J-Dog explained that when forming the band "Whoever was in the room at the time and played an instrument was in the band." Shady Jeff later left the group reasons currently unknown to the public. He currently works as a mechanic and is working on converting diesel cars into vehicles that can run on vegetable oil.
Hollywood Undead's music features a wide variety of musical styles, generally blending hip hop with alternative rock and dance influence. However, many would identify them as rap rock. Half of the songs in Swan Songs display a more party-based style, such as the songs "Everywhere I Go" and "No. 5" while the other half show a more serious approach to the album, such as "Young" and "Paradise Lost". Many critics have stated to be confused due to the record's constant representation of different sounds.
The band experimented with their sound in their second album American Tragedy, and added in many more musical styles than shown in their first album. American Tragedy continues the band's original style, however, the album has less of a party-based style than Swan Songs, and instead follows a more serious approach. Out of the total 19 tracks on American Tragedy, there are only 3 songs that are based on partying, whereas Swan Songs had 6 out of its 14 tracks. "There is more rock, heavier sound and more pain in the songs," Johnny 3 Tears stated in an interview about the album. The band heavily experimented on the album, adding in more mainstream elements and experimenting with certain instruments that they did not use much in their previous efforts such as synthesizers or acoustic guitars. Many reviewers have compared some of this album to Linkin Park's first two records, due to the heavier tracks such as "Been to Hell" or "Tendencies".
Unlike many other musical groups, every member of Hollywood Undead plays a part in the vocals and providing the instruments at the same time. The band is known for their vocal interplay within the songs, usually having 2, 3, and sometimes 4 rappers in a single song, while one member sings the choruses. However, some tracks are left to a single rapper, such as Johnny 3 Tears in "Pour Me", or Charlie Scene in "Everywhere I Go". And two of the songs, "Christmas in Hollywood" and "Dove and Grenade", feature all six of the members. Guitarist Charlie Scene is known for taking part in the party-based songs such as "Everywhere I Go" or "Comin' in Hot", while also having roles in some of the more serious songs such as "City" and "Levitate". Johnny 3 Tears usually takes part in the more serious and heavier tracks, such as "Young" or "S.C.A.V.A.". Funny Man takes part in mainly the party-based songs such as "Comin' in Hot" and "No. 5", usually teaming up with Charlie Scene. J-Dog is known for his roles in the more fast-paced songs, such as "Tendencies" and "Sell Your Soul" and also takes roles in heavier songs, similarly to Johnny 3 Tears. Although Da Kurlzz doesn't take part in the rapping much, he usually provides screaming for songs like "Been to Hell". Danny (and formerly Deuce) provides singing vocals for the choruses in every song. However, in a few songs such as "Bullet," Charlie Scene sings a chorus, sometimes with Danny as a backup voice.