Hollywood Undead

Hollywood Undead

Hollywood Undead are an American rap rock group from Hollywood, United States, active since 2005. Their line-up includes Charlie Scene, Danny, Funny Man, J-Dog and Johnny 3 Tears, with earlier and additional members including Shady Jeff, Deuce, Matthew Busek, Glendon Crain and Elias Mallin. The group uses pseudonyms and masks as part of its visual presentation, although it performs live without them.

Formation and early activity

The group forms in 2005 around a song called “The Kids”, posted by Aron Erlichman, known as Deuce, and Jorel Decker, known as J-Dog, on the band’s MySpace page. Positive reactions to the track lead to the project expanding with friends including Shady Jeff Philips, George Ragan, Jordon Terrell, Dylan Alvarez and Matthew St. Claire, with the line-up shaped informally by whoever was present and able to play an instrument.

Hollywood Undead first signs to MySpace Records in 2005, but leaves after the label attempts to censor its material. It later signs with A&M/Octone Records.

Records and releases

The debut album, Swan Songs, takes one year to record and is released in 2008. It reaches No. 22 on the Billboard 200 in its first week, later receives gold certification from the RIAA and is issued in the United Kingdom with bonus tracks. The group also releases Swan Songs B-Sides as an EP and then Desperate Measures, a CD/DVD set containing new tracks, cover versions, a remix of “Everywhere I Go” and live recordings alongside a concert film.

In early 2010, Deuce leaves the group because of creative differences, including disputes over writing credits and touring. Daniel Murillo, also known as Danny, joins as his replacement after stepping away from auditions for American Idol.

The second album, American Tragedy, arrives in 2011 and performs more strongly than the debut, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart. It also charts in Canada and the United Kingdom. The remix album American Tragedy Redux follows later that year.

The group then releases Notes from the Underground, which becomes its highest-charting album at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 in Canada. Day of the Dead follows in 2015, and Five in 2017. In 2018, the group releases the EP PSALMS, which includes previously released tracks “Gotta Let Go”, “Another Level” and “Bloody Nose”.

Style and presentation

Hollywood Undead are tagged with rapcore, rap, hardcore, screamo and emo, and are described as an alternative rock, rap rock, rapcore and rock group. Their use of masks and pseudonyms becomes one of their defining features, alongside collaborations and a rotating recording approach that includes guest appearances such as B-Real on “Black Cadillac”.

Members

Members associated with the group include Shady Jeff, Deuce, Matthew Busek, Funny Man, J-Dog, Johnny 3 Tears, Charlie Scene, Glendon Crain, Danny and Elias Mallin.