House of Pain | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active |
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| Labels | Tommy Boy |
| Past members | Everlast Danny Boy DJ Lethal |
House of Pain was an American hip hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted ofDJ Lethal,Danny Boy, andEverlast. They are best known for their 1992 hit single "Jump Around", which reached number 3 in the United States, number 6 in Ireland and number 8 in the United Kingdom. The group broke up in 1996.
Lead rapperEverlast went on to pursue a solo career and was a member of thesupergroupLa Coka Nostra which also featured DJ Lethal. DJ Lethal would later join and find commercial success with the bandLimp Bizkit. House of Pain reunited briefly in 2010 for a world tour.
In 1990, Daniel O'Connor (Danny Boy O'Connor) got together with fellow rapper Erik Schrody (Everlast) who had just released a rap album calledForever Everlasting (1990), that did not have much success. O'Connor knew Schrody when he went toWilliam Howard Taft High School inWoodland Hills, California (1984–1986), and various hip hop events they attended in their teens. Both of Irish American descent, they decided to make a hip hop group with this identity. While hanging out at O'Connor's home, Schrody noticed a cassette with the titleHouse of Pain, which was a demo of aPunk group O'Connor tried to put together. Schrody really liked the name and felt they should re-use as their name. Schrody brought in his former DJ Leor Dimant (DJ Lethal), who is of Latvian descent, and House of Pain was created. Schrody would become the lead rapper, while O'Connor acted as the hype man, secondemcee, art director and the graphic artist of the group.[1] After they recorded a demo, for which O'Connor designed the cover, that created a bidding war among labels. The label they chose wasTommy Boy Records, who credited O'Connor's artwork with having initially caught their attention.
In 1992, they released their debut albumHouse of Pain, subtitledFine Malt Lyrics.[2] Their first single "Jump Around" was a major hit. In the United States, it peaked at number 3 on theBillboardHot 100, while reaching number 5 on theHot Rap Songs, 13 onRhythmic Top 40, 1 onHot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales, number 17 on theBillboardDance Club Songs,[3] and is certified platinum.[4] The song was produced by Lawrence Muggerud (DJ Muggs) and performed by Schrody. Both Muggerud and Schrody knew each other since Rhyme Syndicate. Muggerud, who had a beat he had submitted to various artists, eventually invited Schrody to give it a try. Schrody wrote lyrics in his driveway; being influenced by dance hall singerShabba Ranks, part of the lyrics were "Jump around, if you love freedom. Jump around, if you love culture", which Muggerud suggested they trim down to "Jump Around". While re-working his lyrics, Muggerud came up with the iconic horn that accompanies the song.[5] Their second single "Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Boom Shalock Lock Boom)" peaked at 65 on theBillboard Hot 100, 75 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, 14 on theDance Club Songs, and 74 onRadio Songs. The album peaked at 14 on theBillboard 200,[6] 14 on the U.S.BillboardTop Current Albums,[7] 16 on the U.S.BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[8] 14 on the U.S.BillboardTop Album Sales,[9] and is certified platinum.[4]
In 1993, they were among the rap artists who had cameo roles inTed Demme's filmWho's the Man?.[10][11] For this project they provideda theme song by the same name, which was also used as a single for thesoundtrack and their subsequent album. It rose to number 97 on theBillboard Hot 100, 77 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and 10 on the USBillboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales.[citation needed] Also that year, they participated together withHelmet, along with several other rap acts, on the 1993rap rock collaborativeJudgment Night filmsoundtrack.
In 1994, they releasedSame as It Ever Was.[12] The album peaked at 12 equally on theBillboard 200,[6] the U.S.Billboard Top Current Albums,[7] the U.S.Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[8] the U.S.Billboard Top Album Sales,[9] and is certified gold.[4]AllMusic gave it four out five stars.[13] Matt Carlson ofThe Michigan Daily found the album quite good and noted "the music is laid back with some heavy driving forces underlying and strengthening it".[14] J.D. Constantine ofThe Baltimore Sun did not like album and found it monotonous and unimaginative.[15] Roger Catlin of theHartford Courant said that while finding the continuity monotonous it's "hard and compelling" as well as a "strong outing".[16] Andrew Love ofThe Ocala Star-Banner gave it four stars saying "this is a band that has definitely progressed over the course of one album".[17] Music criticRobert Christgau, who did not like their previous and subsequent album, gave it an A− and described it as "the hardest hip hop of the year".[18]
In 1996, they releasedTruth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again.[19] The album peaked at 47 on theBillboard 200,[6] 47 on the U.S.Billboard Top Current Albums,[7] 31 on the U.S.Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[8] and 47 on the U.S.Billboard Top Album Sales.[9] At the release party, Schrody decided to disband the group.[citation needed]Sputnikmusic wrote that "the trio’s most rounded, consistent & memorable LP is grossly under-appreciated."[20] Dave Ferman of theFort Worth Star-Telegram gave it one star and a half, calling it a "woeful mess".[21] Steve Juon ofRapReviews gave it a seven out of ten.[22]AllMusic music gave it two point five stars out of five.[23]
From then on, the members continued their separate careers. Schrody achieved multi-platinum solo fame in 1998 with his albumWhitey Ford Sings the Blues,[24] where he developed a style that blendedrap with acoustic guitar, as well as singing.
Dimant became the DJ of multi-platinumnu metal bandLimp Bizkit.
O'Connor did some freelance work designing clothes, and was involved in several music projects.
In late 2004, the creation of the rapsupergroupLa Coka Nostra started when O'Connor was mentoring young artists. He took notice of two up and comers which included George Carroll (Slaine) and brought them to meet his former DJ from House of Pain, Leor Dimant, who at the time was working on a compilation album and championing a new artist as well. They decided to make a group and asked O'Connor to become a member as a hype man and art director. After accepting, O'Connor felt that there was a void and asked experienced rapper William Braunstein (Ill Bill) to join. The group's name came about, when O'Connor teased Carroll and Braunstein with that nickname, after they both had a night out. The group started releasing music onMySpace, and went viral. Eventually, O'Connor received a letter from former House of Pain colleague Erik Schrody, who asked if he could join. By 2006, the group consisted of O'Connor, Carroll, Dimant, Braunstein, and Schrody.[citation needed]
In 2009, La Coka Nostra releasedA Brand You Can Trust was released on July 14, 2009, onSuburban Noize Records.[25] It sold over 500,000 units.[citation needed]AllMusic gave four out of five stars.[26] Andrew Kameka ofHipHopDX wrote that "the album is a mostly solid effort and exactly what someone would expect from a supergroup of like-minded members known for high-energy music".[27] Adam Kennedy of theBBC while praising some the moments of the album said "it’s a tantalising parting taste of potential capabilities, yet until they improve a customer satisfaction hit rate that barely troubles one in three tunes here".[28] Steve Juon ofRapReviews gave it a seven out of ten.[29]Sputnikmusic described it as "a disjointed effort, but still pretty decent in and of itself and gave it three point five out of five.[30] Thomas Quinlan ofExclaim! said "La Coka Nostra are an interesting collection of collaborators that live up to the hype".[31]
On March 2, 2012, it was announced that Schrody would be leaving La Coka Nostra due to his daughter's medical issues,[32] while O'Connor and Dimant pursued two more project with the groupMasters of the Dark Arts (2012) andTo Thine Own Self Be True (2016).[33][34]
House of Pain reunited at a private event held byUFC presidentDana White inBoston onSt. Patrick's Day 2009. It was officially announced on August 10, 2010, that House of Pain had reunited and performed their first "official" show in a decade at the second annualEpicenter music festival inFontana, California, on September 25, 2010. Though Dimant is still a member of the group, he did not join them on their 2011 reunion tour due to prior obligations withLimp Bizkit.[35][36] In April–May 2011 House of Pain attended theGroovin' the Moo touring festival in Australia, and also performed at Scotland'sT in the Park festival on July 9, 2011, as well asSonisphere UK Festival on July 12 of the same year.
House of Pain reunited in 2017 for a 25th Anniversary Tour. The tour included shows in DC, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and California.[37]
Between reunions and projects together, Schrody continues with his solo career, while Dimant still works with Limp Bizkit, and in 2019 O'Connor openedThe Outsiders House Museum dedicated to boththe novel andthe filmThe Outsiders.
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