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Screw the mainstream if you really want to get your rocks off you have to go to the underground. That's just what we plan to do with this series, take some of the best emerging bands that are out blowing away hardcore fans on the underground music scene.
By Kim George
It's just a phase They all love to see you fall Flat on your face As hard as I try They underestimate" "Suck it Up" � track from the new (hed) Planet Earth. CD, "Blackout" "That's a credo for me" declares (hed) Planet Earth's frontman Jahred, when speaking about his band's new CD, "Blackout". "The first words of the album are very personal. It's not a story. It's life." (hed) Planet Earth (also known as (hed) and/or (hed) P.E.) is an alternative hip-hop, hardcore punk rock hybrid hailing from Huntington Beach, California. The band is comprised of Jahred (vocals), Wes (guitar), Mawk (bass), B.C. (drums), DJ Product (turntables, samples) and newcomer Sonny Mayo (guitar) � who replaces former guitarist, Chad. Jahred and Wes formed (hed) P.E. back in
1994 after becoming disappointed in the progressive punk scene in which
they grew up. They became friends after noticing that they were always
seeing each other at the same punk rock and hip-hop shows in Orange County.
The band's unique sound can be heard on
their 1995 indie release "Church of Realities". A couple years later,
in 1997, (hed) inked a major label deal with Zomba (a division of Jive).
Their self-titled debut CD included the remastered singles from their indie
release, "I.F.O" and "Ground."
Full of heavy beats and deep grooves, critics and fans alike were confident "Broke" would send (hed) out into the stratosphere among the ranks of bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and SOAD. Instead, "Broke" only shifted 250,000 units, Despite the fact "Broke" continues to push copies three years after its initial release date, (hed) is still regarded by many as the industry's biggest secret, just waiting for a big break. After the release of "Broke", (hed) resumed touring, sharing the bill with bands such as P.O.D., Metallica, Slayer, Linkin Park, Korn, Slipknot and Papa Roach. Then frontman Jahred went through a rough period of self-destruction after he realized some of his so-called friends were just a figment of his imagination. Explains Jahred "I was going through a lot of turmoil�I was feeling really suicidal, felt really double-crossed by so-called friends who turned out to be really evil friends."
During this period of self-realization, Jahred put his thoughts and experiences
on paper and this transcended into amazing lyrics that helped fuel the
fire for (hed) P.E.'s latest CD, "Blackout".
A better-suited first single would have been the track "Suck It Up," which was influenced by sports. Explains Jahred, "It's a jock song. You know - to get pumped up and s***. Like before you go into the octagon for ultimate fighting and s*** like that. I was kind of thinking of Tito Ortiz from Huntington Beach, CA when I wrote that song." Ironically and appropriately, "Suck it Up" is also featured on EA Sports Madden NFL 2003 video game. There aren't any sleepers on "Blackout" but a few tracks are worthy of being singled out. Stand out tracks include "Suck it Up," "Bury Me" and "Flesh and Bone," which bears a Red Hot Chilli Peppers vibe...that is, until Jahred lets loose during the song's loop. The best track on "Blackout" is "Crazy Life." The song is fresh, funky and mimics (hed)'s earlier efforts. In fact, it's the only track that closely resembles the vibe of (hed) previous CD, "Broke". Jahred does an amazing job switching up the vocals on "Blackout"; there is still some reggae influence (i.e., "Get Away" and "Carnivale") and he even slows it down a bit on the melodic tracks "Half a Man" and "Other Side." "Blackout" is a well produced, written and musically sound CD. It entered the Billboard charts at #33 its first week and was named Billboard's "Hotshot Debut"; a term given to the highest debut of the week. "Blackout" also landed on SoundScan's "Current Alternative Albums" chat at #13 and "Top Hard Music Albums" chart at #6. All of these stats mark the highest debuts in the band's nine-year career. CD Rating: 9/10. The CD was
worth the wait (the release date was pushed back more than once) but "Blackout"
doesn't have the "oomph" of "Broke". It is, however, still a very
solid, fresh and funky CD. To date, one of the strongest CDs released
in 2003.
Jahred � Vocals
(hed)
Planet Earth - Blackout
Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online April 03 - (hed) is currently on the road, performing on the Jagermeister Music Tour, co-headlining with Saliva. For current news on (hed), tour dates, audio, video and more, hit up the band's official website at www.hedpe.com |
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