Hogan's Heroes (band)

Early years (1984–1986)

Hogan's Heroes was formed in the shore area of South Central, New Jersey in 1984 by George Barberio (lead guitar), John Cuccinello (bass), Matt Gunvordahl (drums), and Scott Cassidy (vocals). After a short stint as Impossible Task, the band disbanded and re-grouped with new member Cuccinello who wanted to call the band Hogan's Heroes. In 1985 the band released their first demo Hogan's Heroes, which was co produced with local N.J. producer Merlin. In August 1985 Cuccinello (bass) left the group and moved to California. Hogan's Heroes continued to play gigs and recorded a new demo with bass player Gerry Daseking in December 1985, Bomb Guy Demo, which was again co produced with local N.J. producer Merlin. The underground tape trading wave of the early 1980s led to extensive distribution of the demos, bringing the band wider attention. Paul Decolator of Maximumrocknroll said in 1986 that Hogan's Heroes were "the new thrash kids on the block. They're probably the best thrash band in South Jersey and hopefully they'll widen their style. If they do – watch out, they could be big."

In July 1986, Cuccinello (bass) had rejoined and Gunvodahl and Cassidy had left the group. In November 1986 Barberio and Cuccinello made a new 13 song recording with new members Tony Scandiffio (drums) and Skip Hoefling (vocals). This was recorded at Merlin Studios and Produced by Hogan's Heroes and Merlin. Through some extensive trading the band found its way on the thanks list of 7 Seconds 1987 release Live! One Plus One.

Built To Last (1987–1988)

Hogan's Heroes continued to play club gigs, writing songs and refining their stage show. In 1987, the band produced and recorded songs for Built To Last at Waterfront Studios (Lenny Kravitz, B.B. King, Madonna, Slash) with Rae Dileo engineering. The album mixes hardcore with elements of hard rock, thrash, and metal.

After a deal with another label did not materialize, Straight-On records released Hogan's Heroes' debut album, Built To Last, in 1988. The album sold well and secured the band distribution through Caroline. Straight-On records had suggested about making a two song single and by the end of 1988, the band returned to the studio. At Wildsound Studios and produced by Hogan's Heroes (Barberio, Scandiffio), "Soulsight" "Kick it In" were recorded and mixed but never released after Hogan's Heroes signed to New Red Archives.

Hogan's Heroes (1989 –1990)

In early 1989 the band switched record labels. The success of Built To Last on Straight-On led to a record deal with New Red Archives (UK Subs, Kraut, Reagan Youth), who immediately reissued the band's debut album, Built To Last, on multiple formats in 1989. Prior to reissue, the New Red Archives version of Built To Last was mastered at Trutone (James Brown, Luciano Pavarotti) Mastering.

After New Red Archives Records acquired the band from Straight-On in 1989, they signed Hogan's Heroes to a two-record deal and released the eponymously titled second studio album, Hogan's Heroes, on multiple formats in 1990. Hogan's Heroes (Barberio, Scandiffio, Hoefling) produced the Import/Caroline/Rough Trade distributed release with Ryk Oakley (Kraut, UK Subs), where it was recorded, in 1989, at top world agency Saatchi & Saatchi in New York City and then mastered at Trutone (Bob Dylan, The B-52s, Whitney Houston) Mastering Labs. The album showcased the band's use of mixing hardcore with elements of punk, thrash, reggae, metal, and utilizing full-band backing vocals, which gave the album a varied feel.

3 Fists and a Mouthful (1991–1992)

Hogan's Heroes continued to play club gigs, writing songs and refining their stage show. In 1991, the band signed a new contract with New Red Archives Records and in mid-1991 recorded songs for 3 Fists and a Mouthful. Produced by George Barberio, and recorded at Ocean Gate Studios (Nelson, Alice Cooper) the album showcased the band's explosive hardcore, full-band backing vocals, and hard rock, with elements of punk, thrash and metal.

Style and legacy

They have been classed under the genre of hardcore punk, They have also been classed under the genres of skate punk, "thrash" and metallic hardcore. Their music is described by Rolling Stone as "Pure old school Hardcore on New Red Archives. Uptight, edgy and dizzyingly fast, this band kept it simple and savage, ...quick, efficient rips of pure American Hardcore." Their music is described by Razorcake in April 2006 as "fast'n'furious, pissed off, ...holds up consistently well, managing to get the blood pumping just as well as it did a decade and a half ago". Michele Angermiller of Billboard called them "seminal".

Members

Discography

Filmography