 = Hed PE = 
 
 Hed PE , also known as ( hed ) Planet Earth and stylized as ( həd ) p.e. , is an American rock band from Huntington Beach , California . Formed in 1994 , the band performs a style of music which it refers to as " G @-@ punk " , a fusion of punk rock and gangsta rap . 
 After releasing three albums on Jive Records , Hed PE left the label to record independently , eventually signing with Suburban Noize Records in 2006 . Since 2006 , the band has become known for its involvement in the 9 / 11 Truth movement , referencing it in many of their song lyrics and concerts , as well as the concept of the album New World Orphans . To date , they have released nine studio albums , one live album and two compilation albums . 
 
 = = History = = 
 
 
 = = = Formation and major @-@ label debut ( 1994 – 1999 ) = = = 
 
 The band was formed by vocalist Jared Gomes , formerly of The Clue , also known as " M.C.U.D. " ( MC Underdog ) , and guitarist Wes Geer , who became friends amidst the Orange County hardcore punk scene . Gomes and Geer recruited guitarist Chizad , bassist Mawk , drummer B.C. Vaught and DJ Product © 1969 . They named the group " Hed " , which stands for " higher education " . The band built a following with their energetic performances at local venues , and released the self @-@ financed extended play , Church of Realities . Legal issues forced Hed to change their name , adding " PE " , which stood for " Planet Earth " . 
 Hed PE signed with Jive Records , releasing their self @-@ titled debut album in 1997 . In his review of the album , Allmusic 's Steve Huey wrote " There are some slow and / or unfocused moments [ ... ] but overall , its aggression will probably play well with late- ' 90s metal and punk fans . " Due to the label 's contractual terms and the disappointing sales of the album , the band found themselves unable to repay the cash advances given to them by Jive . Gomes is quoted as saying " We had these romantic visions of the music industry , and we thought it would be cool to be a punk band on a rap label . So we fulfilled that dream , but it was also probably the worst thing that could have happened . [ ... ] We 've had offers from Sony and others that we can 't take because we owe Jive so much money . " 
 
 = = = Broke and Blackout ( 2000 – 2004 ) = = = 
 
 On June 6 , 2000 , Hed PE appeared on the tribute album Nativity in Black II , covering Black Sabbath 's " Sabbra Cadabra " . Hed PE released their second studio album , Broke on August 22 , 2000 . It peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 , while its first single , " Bartender " , peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and at No. 27 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart . Allmusic 's Jason D. Taylor wrote : " Broke may have not found as much success in the competitive mainstream market as some would have liked , and even despite its distinct departure from the group 's debut , it is an album that shows more vision than other rap @-@ tinged rock albums to come out in 2000 . " The most negative response to the album came from critics who viewed its lyrics as misogynistic . 
 On October 27 , 2000 , Gomes was arrested for possession of marijuana while the band was performing in Waterbury , Connecticut . He was released on a US $ 1 @,@ 500 bond . In 2001 , Hed PE performed on the Ozzfest tour alongside bands such as Korn , Static @-@ X , and System of a Down . A music video for " Killing Time " , the second single from Broke , was produced in promotion of the film 3000 Miles to Graceland , which featured the song on its soundtrack . 
 Hed PE released their third studio album , Blackout , on March 18 , 2003 . It peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200 , while its title track peaked at No. 21 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and at No. 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart . Allmusic 's Johnny Loftus wrote that " While it expands on melodic elements that had previously played a supporting role in the band 's sound , Blackout also delivers truckloads of crushing guitar and pounding rhythm . And whether or not it is the presence of a top @-@ line producer , ( hed ) pe have figured out a way to imbue their aggressive mix of heavy rock and hip @-@ hop with some serious hooks . " Guitarist Jaxon joined the band in early 2004 . He is the fourth person to fill this position . 
 
 = = = Only in Amerika ( 2004 ) = = = 
 
 Hed PE left Jive Records , releasing their fourth studio album , Only in Amerika , on Koch Records on October 19 , 2004 . It peaked at No. 20 on the Top Independent Albums chart and at No. 186 on the Billboard 200 . In his review of the album , Johnny Loftus wrote " It wants to be a confrontational megaphone in the ear of conservatives , but Jahred 's torrential rhetoric is too messy and blatantly offensive to incite anything but superficial anger , and the music -- though occasionally explosive -- takes a backseat to the ranting . " 
 
 = = = Suburban Noize Records and New Album Evolution ( 2006 – 2015 ) = = = 
 
 In 2006 , Hed PE signed with Suburban Noize Records , recording their fifth studio album , Back 2 Base X. The album was intended as a return to the basics of rock music , and did not rely as heavily on studio enhancement as previous releases . The album was released on June 6 , 2006 , the same day as The Best of ( həd ) Planet Earth , a compilation album produced by Jive Records without the band 's authorization or consent . Back 2 Base X peaked at No. 12 on the Independent Albums chart , and at No. 154 on the Billboard 200 . Allmusic 's Rob Theakston wrote that " Back 2 Base X suffers from the same problems as Amerika : it tries to be conceptual in thought à la Tool and vicious in its political commentary à la Fugazi or System of a Down , but somehow falls short by sounding like an angry stoner on a soapbox . It won 't win any new fans , but existing fans of ( hed ) pe 's work won 't be turning their backs away from the band in anger anytime soon , either . " 
 On June 26 , 2007 , the band released their sixth studio album , Insomnia . It peaked at No. 16 on the Independent Albums chart , and at No. 138 on the Billboard 200 . The album 's lead single , " Suffa " , became one of the most requested tracks at Sirius Satellite Radio 's Hard Attack , while the song 's music video was voted one of the Top 10 of 2007 on MTV 's Headbangers Ball . Hed PE released their first live album , The D.I.Y. Guys , in 2008 . On January 13 , 2009 , they released their seventh studio album , New World Orphans . It was released in three different versions ; each contains 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 . Hed pe played the " Local Heroes Tour " in the fall of 2012 and played with Flipsyde in San jose on Sunday October 7 , 2012 . In an interview , frontman Jared Gomes stated that their album for 2013 titled Ascension would be released within the first half of 2014 . Towards the end of 2013 , DJ Product mysteriously left the band with no explanation and no comment from the other members . On 1 / 1 / 2014 , Frontman Jahred Gomes stated on the band 's official Facebook that the new upcoming ( hed ) PE album will be named " Evolution " and to be released within the year . 
 On May 13 , 2014 , On the band 's official Facebook page , they released the official announcement of when the band 's new album Evolution will hit stores . The album is set for release July 22 , 2014 . They also released a teaser of the tone of the new album on their Facebook page and soon after , the track " One More Body " . 
 In 2015 , it was confirmed that 12 @-@ year guitarist Jaxon Benge and original bassist Mark Young had left the band . 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 talent . 
 
 = = Style = = 
 
 
 = = = Music and lyrics = = = 
 
 Hed PE performs a style of music which they have referred to as " G @-@ punk " , a phrase inspired by the term " G @-@ funk " , itself a reference to the P @-@ Funk collective . Hed PE 's music is a fusion of styles ranging from hip hop , reggae , and ska to hard rock , punk , and heavy metal . Other elements that have been incorporated into this style include blues , funk , jazz and industrial . Jared Gomes ' vocal style ranges from melodic singing to rapping , screaming , and death growls . The band 's lyrics draw from a number of subjects , including the existence of extraterrestrial life , criticism of organized religion , the 9 / 11 Truth movement , cannabis use and sexual intercourse . 
 Gomes , in addition to the 9 / 11 Truth movement , has expressed support for social liberal politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and president Barack Obama . Previously however , Gomes ' 2004 lyrics for Only in Amerika expressed support for nationalism , and called for retaliation against Al Qaeda for the 9 / 11 terrorist attacks . 
 
 = = = Influences = = = 
 
 The band 's influences include HEM , Beastie Boys , Black Sabbath , Bob Marley , Led Zeppelin , Nine Inch Nails , Snoop Dogg , Cypress Hill , Notorious B.I.G. and Rage Against the Machine . Hed PE 's second album , Broke , incorporated classic rock and world music influences , while Back 2 Base X was influenced by classic punk bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash , Insomnia was influenced by thrash metal bands such as Slayer , and New World Orphans was influenced by Suicidal Tendencies and Minor Threat . Guitarist Jaxon has been credited for encouraging a heavier , hardcore punk @-@ influenced musical style . 
 
 = = Band members = = 
 
 Jared ( Paulo Sergio Gomes ) — lead vocals ( 1994 – current ) 
 Major Trauma ( Jeremiah Stratton ) — drums ( 2008 – current ) 
 Gregzilla ( Greg Harrison ) — guitar ( 2015 – current ) 
 Kid Bass ( Kurt Blankenship ) — bass ( 2015 – current ) 
 
 = = = Former members = = = 
 
 Ken Sachs ( The Finger ) — keyboard ( 1994 – 1996 ) 
 Chad Benekos ( Chizad ) — guitar ( 1994 – 2002 ) 
 Wesley Geer ( Wesstyle , Wes Geer ) — guitar ( 1994 – 2003 ) 
 Ben C. Vaught ( B.C. ) — drums ( 1994 – 2003 ) 
 Doug Boyce ( DJ Product © 1969 ) — turntables , samples ( 1994 – 2013 ) 
 Mark Young ( Mawk ) — bass ( 1994 – 2015 ) 
 Sonny Mayo — guitar ( 2002 – 2003 ) 
 Jackson Benge ( Jaxon ) — guitar ( 2004 – 2015 ) 
 Christopher Hendrich — drums ( 2004 ) 
 Mark " Moke " Bistany — drums ( 2004 – 2006 ) 
 Devin Lebsack — drums ( 2006 – 2007 ) 
 Anthony " Tiny Bubz " Biuso — drums ( 2007 – 2008 ) 
 
 = = = Timeline = = = 
 
 
 = = Discography = = 
 
 Studio albums 
 Church of Realities ( 1995 ) 
 Hed PE ( 1997 ) 
 Broke ( 2000 ) 
 Blackout ( 2003 ) 
 Only in Amerika ( 2004 ) 
 Back 2 Base X ( 2006 ) 
 Insomnia ( 2007 ) 
 New World Orphans ( 2009 ) 
 Truth Rising ( 2010 ) 
 Evolution ( 2014 ) 
 Forever ! ( 2016 ) 
 
 