Hoods (band)

Lore & Background

Hoods was formed in 1994 by Mike "Mikey Hood" Mraz, who later added Logan Murray, Tony Goodloe, and Billy Gaffney. The band released their first demo, 'Hoods', in 1995, followed by the EP Once Again in 1997, and focused on live performances. After numerous fights between fans and an altercation between band members and a police officer, the band left Sacramento and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area after 1997, 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 Goodloe then left and were replaced by Ben and Mario. After fulfilling their contract with Victory Records following 'The King Is Dead', Hoods moved to Eulogy Recordings and released The King Is Dead. The group released Ghetto Blaster in April 2007 and Pit Beast in May 2009 after signing with I Scream Records; the cover art for Pit Beast was done by Craig Holloway.

In 2014, the band signed with Artery Recordings and released Gato Negro.

Reader's Guide

Hoods occupies a notable place in the American beatdown hardcore scene, emerging from Sacramento in the mid-1990s and later relocating to the Bay Area. Their music, influenced by seminal hardcore acts, helped define a subgenre known for heavy, mosh-oriented sound. The band's career has been marked by frequent lineup changes and label disputes, including a 2005 departure from Victory Records over royalties. Their 2009 album Pit Beast, with cover art by Craig Holloway, connected them to broader hardcore and metal visual aesthetics. The 2026 cancellation of UK shows due to promoter statements about transphobia highlights ongoing tensions between the band and contemporary social standards. While not a mainstream act, Hoods' persistence over three decades and their role in the beatdown hardcore community make them a reference point for fans of aggressive, confrontational hardcore.

Did You Know?

• The band's first release was the 'Hoods' demo in 1995, and Once Again was released in 1997.
• Hoods fulfilled their contract with Victory Records after 'The King Is Dead' and moved to Eulogy Recordings.