Hed PE

Biography

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Hed PE (1994-present): a Rock band from Huntington Beach, California, USA.

lso known as "(hed) Planet Earth" and stylized as (hed)pe, Hed PE is an American rap rock band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1994, the band performs a style of music which they refer to as "G-punk", a fusion of punk rock and gangsta rap.

The band was formed by Jared Gomes (vocals; ex-The Clue; a.k.a. "M.C.U.D." (MC Underdog) and Wes Geer (guitars), who became friends in the Orange County hardcore punk scene. The pair then recruited guitarist Chizad, bassist Mawk, drummer B.C. Vaught and DJ Product © 1969. The group name started just as "Hed", which stands for "higher education". But after building a following and releasing their self-financed EP, Church of Realities, the attention brought legal issues forcing Hed to change their name by adding "PE", standing for "Planet Earth". They soon after signed to 'Jive Records' to release their self-titled debut album in 1997. The album received disappointing sales, so bad in fact that they were unable to repay the advance given to them by 'Jive Records'. By owing so much money, other labels whom they courted, like 'Sony' refused the obligation to sign them.

June 6, 2000 saw the band appear on the tribute album Nativity in Black II, covering Black Sabbath's Sabbra Cadabra.

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Hed PE released their second studio album, Broke on August 22, 2000. The album peaked at 63 on the Billboard 200, while its first single, Bartender, peaked at 23 on the Billboard Mainstream rock Tracks chart and at 27 on the Modern rock Tracks chart.

On October 27, 2000, Gomes was arrested for possession of marijuana while the band was performing in Waterbury, Connecticut; he was released on a $1500 US bond.

In 2001, the band performed on the Ozzfest tour alongside bands such as Korn, Static-X and System of a Down.

Blackout (2003) peaked at 33 on the Billboard 200, while its title track peaked at 21 on the Mainstream rock Tracks chart and at 32 on the Modern rock Tracks chart.

Hed PE finally paid their obligations, both monetarily and contractually, and left 'Jive Records', choosing to to release their fourth studio album, Only in Amerika, on 'Koch Records' on October 19, 2004. The album peaked at 20 on the Top Independent Albums chart and at 186 on the Billboard 200.

In 2006, the band signed with 'Suburban Noize Records', to record their fifth studio album, Back 2 Base X. The album relied less on studio enhancements like the past releases in favor of a return to the basics of rock music. The album was released on June 6, 2006, the same day as The Best of (hed) Planet Earth, a compilation album released by 'Jive Records' without the band's authorization. All the same, Back 2 Base X peaked at 12 on the Independent Albums chart, and at 154 on the Billboard 200.

Insomnia (2007), the next album, peaked at 16 on the Independent Albums chart, and 138 on the Billboard 200.

Their first live album, The D.I.Y. Guys, in 2008.

On January 13, 2009, their seventh studio album arrived, titled New World Orphans, it was released in three different versions each containing a different set of bonus tracks.

In 2009, drummer Trauma joined the band; he is the sixth person to fill this position.

The band's eighth studio album, Truth Rising, was released on October 26, 2010 to mixed reviews.

Evolution arrived in 2014.

In 2015, guitarist Jaxon Benge and original bassist Mark Young left. They were replaced by guitarist Greg "Gregzilla" Harrison and bassist Kurt Blankenship, leaving vocalist and founding member Jared Gomes as the group's only remaining original member; Forever! resulted in 2016.

Footnote: Bands (and book authors) pay attention, an 'ADVANCE' is NOT a gift, it is an insidious word for 'LOAN PAID BACK BY DEDUCTING MONEY FROM YOUR ROYALTIES WHEN YOU SELL RECORDS/BOOKS' so unless you need a LOAN - don't take it!

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