Hoods deliver a relentless brand of hardcore that feels like a physical confrontation. Their sound is defined by the grit of Sacramento streets, blending the speed of traditional hardcore with the crushing weight of beatdown breakdowns. It is music that refuses to be ignored, characterized by Mike Hood's abrasive vocal delivery and a rhythm section that hits with the force of a sledgehammer.
What sets them apart is their uncompromising attitude and the way they bridge the gap between old-school punk ethics and the heavier, more metallic leanings of the 2000s hardcore scene. The guitars are thick and percussive, often dropping into slow, menacing grooves that invite movement. There is a palpable sense of real-world tension in every track, a byproduct of their storied and often chaotic history.
Start with 'Ghettoblaster' to hear the band at their most polished and powerful. It captures the essence of their 'pit beast' reputation while showcasing the songwriting that has kept them relevant for decades. For a rawer look at their roots, '7 Years In Sacramento' offers a definitive document of their early, high-energy evolution.
Hoods is an American beatdown hardcore band from Sacramento, California. Formed in 1994 by Mike "Mikey Hood" Mraz who later added Logan Murray, Tony Goodloe and Billy Gaffney. Hoods shows influences such as Madball, Sick of It All, Minor Threat and Cro-Mags. They released their first EP entitled Once Again in 1996 and concentrated on live performances. After numerous fights between fans and an altercation between a couple of the band members and a police officer, the band left the Sacramento area. The band moved to the San Francisco Bay Area playing shows with groups such as Powerhouse, Redemption 87 and Skin Lab. In 1997 after a disagreement with bandmates and his mother's illness Gaffney left and was replaced by Jeremy. Murray and Goldoe then left and were replaced by Ben and Mario. In 2005, Hoods were dropped from Victory Records after a dispute over royalties and management. They signed with Eulogy Recordings in 2005 and released The King Is Dead. The group released a new album, Ghetto Blaster, in April 2007. The release Pit Beast dropped in May 2009 after the band signed with I Scream Records. The cover art for this album was done by Craig Holloway, who created cover art for acts such as Negative Approach and Obituary among others. In 2014 the band signed with Artery Recordings and released "Gato Negro".
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