For those that don't know, Hollywood Undead is an American rap/rock band from Los Angeles, CA. With their debut, Swan Songs released in 2008, their live CD/DVD 'Desperate Measures' in 2009, and their brand new CD American Tragedy just-released, the band - where all of the band members use pseudonyms and wear their own unique mask whilst performing - are an incredible musical force to be reckoned with, trust me!

Hollywood Undead consist of six (6) band members - Charlie Scene, Da Kurlzz, Danny, Funny Man, J-Dog, and Johnny 3 Tears - and with the three opening bands having played tonight all done, well, the lights went down, the sweltering heat factor topped 100 degrees (easily!), and the band hit the stage; one by one.

Raging straight through the first three songs without breathing, 'Undead Nightmare,' 'Sell Your Soul, and 'Been to Hell' suddenly they all remove their masks for the fourth song, 'Gangsta Sexy.' Wearing tshirts and jeans, the band now look, well, like any touring band out of LA, so quite why they take the masks off is beyond me, sorry!

The band, however, whether they have the masks on or not are highly entertaining, that's for sure. Each song is sung with passion, the sweat literally pours off them all for the 80 minute show, and each band member gets a mighty chunk of lead mic time.

'California' is next and has the entire packed-tightly-into-the-small venue crowd up on their feet! Another fan favorite, including the young man next to me named Nick A. is the Charlie Scene-sung 'City,' which has everyone singing the lyrics at the tops of their collective voices. "It's Saturday night, so let's all get f**ked up," Scene screams, before adding, "This song's about getting fat and is called 'Black Dahlia'!"

The pulsating, and my personal fav of the night song, 'Comin' in Hot' is next, with 'Coming Back Down' ("I don't mean to kill the vibe, but this is a song about the death of a loved one" - Scene) following it closely. Primarily sung by Johnny 3 Tears, it is a great track, and one that warrants more attention be lured back to their debut album.

'Paradise Lost,' sung by J-Dog is next, before Funny Man chats about the fact he was meant to be wearing a Tigers baseball cap tonight, but that their merch guy hadn't found him one! But then, out of the crowd one is thrown, he wears it, thanks the guy, and the band blast into the hyper-catchy, 'My Town.' Scene then asks the crowd to place five fingers in the air, before 'No. 5' is brought forth.

As they head towards the encore, 'Young' is the last song of the set, and man does it wind everyone up to 11 on the dial! This is easily the best song of the night audience-participation wise, and for five full minutes it is a sight to behold - the crowd becoming one with the band.

After a quick break, they come back with two more songs - the first the hilarious, and yet weirdly tuneful 'Everywhere I Go' (... bitches always know, that Charlie Scene has got a weenie that he loves to show!), and the second is 'Hear Me Now' sung by Johnny 3 Tears - a man who resembles Mickey Rourke (as he is today); inclusive of bulk, hair and vocal mannerisms ... sorry!

Review & Photos by: Russell A. Trunk