Research: Detailed artist research

Hollywood Undead’s start was hardly momentous. In 2005, two Los Angeles friends, Deuce and J-Dog, collaborated on a few tracks and decided to post them online. But soon, interest started circulating, prompting the guys to form Hollywood Undead with Charlie Scene, Da Kurlzz, Funny Man and Johnny 3 Tears. Originally, the band also included Shady Jeff, but he left the group before their debut dropped in 2008.

Signed to A&M/Octone, Hollywood Undead released Swan Songs in September 2008. Mixing rap, metal and pop, Swan Songs featured candid portraits of the band members’ childhoods but also contained unflattering attitudes about women that were often childish but could also be very funny. Clearly, Hollywood Undead weren’t concerned with political correctness throughout Swan Songs, there’s an undeniably juvenile streak befitting the foul-mouthed material and prankster spirit. Consequently, the album makes for an unusual juxtaposition of early Beastie Boys-style irreverence and the gritty worldview of gangster rap.

Heres the album cover

Heres "undead" from this album.


On April 5, 2011, Hollywood Undead released their sophomore effort, American Tragedy. By this point, founding member Deuce was no longer part of the group. (In 2012, he would release his own solo album, Nine Lives.) The first single from American Tragedy, “Hear Me Now,” was another sizable hit for the band. Critics remained cool to Hollywood Undead, but the album peaked at No. 4 on theBillboard charts, their best showing to that point.

Heres the album cover

Heres "Comin' in hot" from this album



Two years later, Hollywood Undead unveiled Notes from the Underground, which hit No. 2 on the charts. (It actually topped the Hard Rock Albums chart.) The sextet remained rude and antagonistic, but their melodic skill showed signs of growth. And on the single “We Are,” they played to their strengths: anthem-ready rap-rock that gets off on its own underdog attitude.

Heres the album cover

Heres "Dead bite" From this album