Perseverance
could best describe the work ethic of Sacramento’s biggest
hard-core act, Hoods. The band, led by Mikey Hood, has been
doing things their own way for the better part of 10 years.
With a string of self-produced EP and seven-inch releases under
their belt, it was only fitting that a hard-core label such
as Victory Records - home to Earth Crisis, Strife (R.I.P.),
Hatebreed, Bloodlet, Grade, and many others too numerous to
mention - pick up the band for a proper worldwide release.
What’s most impressive about the band is their live shows.
From DIY shows at veteran’s halls to 924 Gilman Street,
the band has trudged along playing virtually every crevice in
the U.S. (all ages, of course). Hoods exude enough energy to
fill an Olympic-size stadium without losing control of the song.
Shows sometimes turn into veritable fist-fights as different
cliches seem to love the band. Jeremy Roberts, ex-drummer of
Sacramento’s favorite ska-punk band, The Lesdystics, keeps
the band from distancing themselves (tempo-wise) and works well
with bassist Mario Maynor amidst the chaos of karate-kicks and
thrashing. Ben Garcia’s gravel-filled growls help bridge
the band between metal (albeit death metal) and hard-core. Mikey
Hood, the band’s leader since their inception, plays metal
riffs ala Celtic Frost at one juncture and then hits you hard
with a Sick Of It All-esque line.
I caught up with Mikey Hood upon the release of their debut
album for Victory Records, Time...The Destroyer. Between live
shows and studio recordings (the band has appeared on numerous
compilations), Mr. Hood explained how big-label status has changed
his life.
“Nothing has changed except I work full-time on Hoods.
We will pretty much be on tour the rest of this year and next”
states the ever-so-humble guitarist. “The best thing about
Victory is kids can get your CD’s anywhere. Before (the
album’s release) we had to push so hard to get our CD’s
to kids in small places - now it’s at the mall.”
Their latest album is truly a testament to the efficiency of
their current lineup - Hoods have endured numerous member changes
over their existence.
“The lineup has been solid for 5+ years. Mario and I still
butt heads a lot but I really do love these guys. I give much
respect to them for believing in what we do and sticking it
out. I’m with them more than my family and I’m (even)
closer to them” says the steadfast hard-core fanatic.
Of course, no Hoods interview could be complete without their
obvious metal and punk influences. The response was what I expected,
although their independence shines through on Time....’
“We have no influence from other bands. I don’t even
listen to hard-core from the 90’s or 2000. I’m really
into doing whatever we like — it just so happens to be
really heavy and fast.”
Of course, most kids today are concerned with semantics when
it comes to hard-core. Are you straight-edge (i.e. no drugs
in your system) or not? “I used to be straightedge - I
will be again. It’s just (that) I was totally over how
the whole scene was really materialistic and (I was) disillusioned.
That’s no excuse but, whatever. I still totally respect
hard-core kids100%.”
What about the fights? Hoods have been known to most of the
Sacramento community as bullies in the music scene — most
of the stories, of course, have been fictitious with little
or no instances to draw these statements from. It would seem
like the band hated everyone on their rise to the up when, in
actuality, they were giving props to bands in the community.
“I have no beef with any Sacramento bands” states
a bewildered and slightly pissed-off Hood. “That was all
hype from our friends. They would say shit (about other bands
and people in the Sacramento Valley) just so we would go beat
people up. We’ve been keeping our noses clean and all the
drama is gone. Still, if someone has a problem they can bring
it because they will lose. Bands that deserve attention are
Above This World, Hellcrew, Victorian, and The Skirts.”
Hoods have sold over 10,000 records with virtually no support
from major or college radio. At shows where the band wasn’t
even playing, Mikey could be seen ‘working the product.’
“I don’t even know the state of college radio.”
Radio play withstanding, the band has made an indelible ink
on the hard-core scene doing things a little left of center.
Songs like the title track, Endless Pain and my favorite track,
Broken Never Beat should be emphasis tracks from the new album.
Hoods lyrics of deceit, mistrust, corruption and depression
are telling tales of their travels and exploits. Hoods are poised
for bigger and better things in 2002 if their new album is any
indicator. Their songs have the kind of urgency found in early
NYHC yet still maintain a vibe similar to Sacto hard-core acts,
most of whom are now defunct.
From the band formerly known as ‘Sacto Hoods,” a band
that built their fan base on live shows and constant self-promotion,
it would only be fitting to let good ol’ Mikey have the
last word. “We’re just really down for our city and
the people who are involved in our scene.”
Perseverance
could best describe the work ethic of Sacramento’s biggest
hard-core act, Hoods. The band, led by Mikey Hood, has been
doing things their own way for the better part of 10 years.
With a string of self-produced EP and seven-inch releases under
their belt, it was only fitting that a hard-core label such
as Victory Records - home to Earth Crisis, Strife (R.I.P.),
Hatebreed, Bloodlet, Grade, and many others too numerous to
mention - pick up the band for a proper worldwide release.