View source for House of Pain

{{Short description|American hip hop group}}
{{About|the hip hop group}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name             = House of Pain
| image            = Houseofpain-2011.jpg
| landscape        = yes
| caption          = [[Everlast]] and [[Danny Boy (rapper)|Danny Boy]] in 2011
| background       = group_or_band
| genre            = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| origin           = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| years_active     = {{hlist|1990–1996|2010–2011|2017}}
| label            = [[Tommy Boy Records|Tommy Boy]]
| website          = 
| past_members     = [[Everlast]]<br />[[Danny Boy (rapper)|Danny Boy]]<br />[[DJ Lethal]]
}}

'''House of Pain''' was an American hip hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted of [[DJ Lethal]], [[Danny Boy (rapper)|Danny Boy]], and [[Everlast]]. 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 rapper [[Everlast]] went on to pursue a solo career and was a member of the [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[La Coka Nostra]] which also featured DJ Lethal. DJ Lethal would later join and find commercial success with the band [[Limp Bizkit]]. House of Pain reunited briefly in 2010 for a world tour.

==Band history==
===1990–1992: Formation and breakthrough===
In 1990, Daniel O'Connor ([[Danny Boy (rapper)|Danny Boy O'Connor]]) got together with fellow rapper Erik Schrody ([[Everlast]]) who had just released a rap album called ''[[Forever Everlasting]]'' (1990), that did not have much success. O'Connor knew Schrody when he went to [[William Howard Taft High School (Los Angeles, California)|William Howard Taft High School]] in [[Woodland 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 title ''House of Pain'', which was a demo of a [[Punk rock|Punk]] 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, second [[emcee]], art director and the graphic artist of the group.<ref name="FromOutside">{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Ginnie |date=May 5, 2017 |title=From the Outside: Hip-hop artist Danny Boy O'Connor saves a house, finds a mission |work=Tulsa World |location=Tulsa, OK |url=https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/magazine/from-the-outside-hip-hop-artist-danny-boy-o-connor-saves-a-house-finds-a/article_6cd301fc-bff8-5875-ab31-5945d00bf48c.html |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref> After they recorded a demo, for which O'Connor designed the cover, that created a bidding war among labels. The label they chose was [[Tommy Boy Records]], who credited O'Connor's artwork with having initially caught their attention.

In 1992, they released their debut album ''[[House of Pain (album)|House of Pain]]'', subtitled ''Fine Malt Lyrics.''<ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=House Of Pain - Fine Malt Lyrics |date=1992 |last1=Schrody |first1=Erik "Everlast" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Tommy Boy Records |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=TBCD 1056 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last3=Dimant |first3=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first2=Danny "Danny Boy" |last2=O'Connor}}</ref> Their first single "[[Jump Around]]" was a major hit. In the United States, it peaked at number 3 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot 100]], while reaching number 5 on the [[Hot Rap Songs]], 13 on [[Rhythmic Top 40]], 1 on [[Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales]], number 17 on the ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Natasha |date=March 17, 2016 |title=Throwback Thursday - House of Pain 'Jump Around' (1992) |url=https://hot1047.com/throwback-thursday-house-of-pain-jump-around-1992/ |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Hot 104.7 |language=en}}</ref> and is certified platinum.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415031853/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=House+Of+pain |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref> 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 singer [[Shabba 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |date=February 24, 2012 |title=An Oral History of House of Pain's 'Jump Around' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413003718/https://www.spin.com/2012/02/house-pain-look-back-20-years-jump-around/ |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/02/house-pain-look-back-20-years-jump-around/ |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=SPIN |language=en-US}}</ref> Their second single "[[Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Boom Shalock Lock Boom)]]" peaked at 65 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, 75 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], 14 on the [[Dance Club Songs]], and 74 on [[Radio Songs (chart)|Radio Songs]]. The album peaked at 14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],<ref name=":02">{{cite web |title=House of Pain - Chart History - Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TLP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028052550/https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TLP |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> 14 on the U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Current Albums]],<ref name=":12">{{cite web |title=House of Pain - Chart History - U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TCL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028052527/https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TCL |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> 16 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]],<ref name=":22">{{cite web |title=House of Pain - Chart History - U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/BLP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028052556/https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/BLP |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> 14 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top Album Sales]],<ref name=":32">{{cite web |title=House of Pain - Chart History - U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TSL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028054046/https://www.billboard.com/music/house-of-pain/chart-history/TSL |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> and is certified platinum.<ref name=":42"/>

=== 1993–1996: Subsequent success and group's breakup ===
In 1993, they were among the rap artists who had cameo roles in [[Ted Demme]]'s film ''[[Who's the Man?]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who's the Man? |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/whos-the-man/cast/2030109905/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424173456/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/whos-the-man/cast/2030109905/ |archive-date=April 24, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blenkle |first=Joe |date=April 28, 1993 |title='Who's the man?' mixes rap, comedy |pages=B1 |work=The Folsom Telegraph}}</ref> For this project they provided [[Who's the Man? (song)|a theme song by the same name]], which was also used as a single for the [[Who's the Man? (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] and their subsequent album. It rose to number 97 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, 77 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]], and 10 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Also that year, they participated together with [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]], along with several other rap acts, on the 1993 [[rap rock]] collaborative ''[[Judgment Night (film)|Judgment Night]]'' film [[Judgment Night (soundtrack)|soundtrack]].

In 1994,  they released ''[[Same as It Ever Was]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=Same As It Ever Was |date=1994 |last1=Schrody |first1=Erik "Everlast" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Tommy Boy Records |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=TBCD 1089 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last3=Dimant |first3=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first2=Danny "Danny Boy" |last2=O'Connor}}</ref> The album peaked at 12 equally on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name=":02"/> the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top Current Albums,<ref name=":12"/> the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,<ref name=":22"/> the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top Album Sales,<ref name=":32"/> and is certified gold.<ref name=":42"/> ''[[AllMusic]]'' gave it four out five stars.<ref>{{Citation |title=Same as It Ever Was - House of Pain {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/same-as-it-ever-was-mw0000115218 |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref> Matt Carlson of ''[[The Michigan Daily]]'' found the album quite good and noted "the music is laid back with some heavy driving forces underlying and strengthening it".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Carlson |first=Matt |date=September 8, 1994 |title=Records |journal=The Michigan Daily |volume=CIV |pages=13}}</ref> J.D. Constantine of ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' did not like album and found it monotonous and unimaginative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Considine |first=J.D. |date=July 8, 1994 |title=House of Pain the 'Same,' over and over |pages=Maryland Live 5 |work=The Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Roger Catlin of the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' said that while finding the continuity monotonous it's "hard and compelling" as well as a "strong outing".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Catlin |first=Roger |date=July 14, 1994 |title=Same as it ever was |pages=Entertainment Guide 4–5 |work=Hartford Courant}}</ref> Andrew Love of ''[[The Ocala Star-Banner]]'' gave it four stars saying "this is a band that has definitely progressed over the course of one album".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Love |first=Andrew |date=August 8, 1994 |title=Latest release is full-blown Pain |journal=Ocala Star Banner |volume=51 |pages=1C}}</ref> Music critic [[Robert 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".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Christgau: CG: House of Pain |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=House+of+Pain |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Robertchristgau.com}}</ref>

In 1996, they released ''[[Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again |date=1996 |last1=Schrody |first1=Erik "Everlast" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Tommy Boy Records |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=TBCD 1161 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last3=Dimant |first3=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first2=Danny "Danny Boy" |last2=O'Connor}}</ref> The album peaked at 47 on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name=":02" /> 47 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top Current Albums,<ref name=":12" /> 31 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,<ref name=":22" /> and 47 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Top Album Sales.<ref name=":32" /> At the release party, Schrody decided to disband the group.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} [[Sputnikmusic]] wrote that "the trio’s most rounded, consistent & memorable LP is grossly under-appreciated."<ref>{{Cite web |title=House of Pain - Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again (album review) |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/28778/House-of-Pain-Truth-Crushed-to-Earth-Shall-Rise-Again/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=[[Sputnikmusic]]}}</ref> Dave Ferman of the ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' gave it one star and a half, calling it a "woeful mess".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ferman |first=Dave |date=November 22, 1996 |title=Rap |journal=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=Star Time 13}}</ref> Steve Juon of ''RapReviews'' gave it a seven out of ten.<ref>{{Cite web |title=House of Pain :: Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again :: Tommy Boy |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/1996_12_truthcrushed.html |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Rapreviews.com}}</ref> ''AllMusic'' music gave it two point five stars out of five.<ref>{{Citation |title=Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again - House of Pain {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/truth-crushed-to-earth-shall-rise-again-mw0000648053 |language=en |access-date=2022-05-21}}</ref>

=== 1997–present day: solo projects and reunions ===
From then on, the members continued their separate careers. Schrody achieved multi-platinum solo fame in 1998 with his album ''[[Whitey Ford Sings the Blues]],''<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Rock Discography |publisher=Mojo Books |year=2000 |isbn=1-84195-017-3 |edition=5th |location=Edinburgh |pages=462–463}}</ref> where he developed a style that blended [[Rapping|rap]] with acoustic guitar, as well as singing.

Dimant became the DJ of multi-platinum [[nu metal]] band [[Limp Bizkit]].

O'Connor did some freelance work designing clothes, and was involved in several music projects.

In late 2004, the creation of the rap [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[La Coka Nostra]] started when O'Connor was mentoring young artists. He took notice of two up and comers which included George Carroll ([[Slaine (rapper)|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 on [[Myspace|MySpace]], 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|date=April 2022}}

In 2009, La Coka Nostra released ''[[A Brand You Can Trust]]'' was released on July 14, 2009, on [[Suburban Noize Records]].<ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=A Brand You Can Trust |date=2009 |last1=O'Connor |first1=Danny "Danny Boy" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Suburban Noize Records |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=NZE-CD-125 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last2=Dimant |first2=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first3=George "Slaine" |last3=Carroll |first4=William "Ill Bill" |last4=Braunstein |first5=Erik "Everlast" |last5=Schrody}}</ref> It sold over 500,000 units.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} ''[[AllMusic]]'' gave four out of five stars.<ref>{{Citation |title=A Brand You Can Trust - La Coka Nostra {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-brand-you-can-trust-mw0000820644 |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref> Andrew Kameka of ''[[HipHopDX]]'' 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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kameka |first=Andrew |date=2009-07-16 |title=La Coka Nostra - A Brand You Can Trust |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.1218/title.la-coka-nostra-a-brand-you-can-trust |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref> Adam Kennedy of the [[BBC News|''BBC'']] 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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Adam |title=BBC - Music - Review of La Coka Nostra - A Brand You Can Trust |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xzj9/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Steve Juon of ''RapReviews'' gave it a seven out of ten.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RapReviews.com Feature for July 14, 2009 - La Coka Nostra's "A Brand You Can Trust" |url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_07F_brandyoucantrust.html |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Rapreviews.com}}</ref> ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' described it as "a disjointed effort, but still pretty decent in and of itself and gave it three point five out of five.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Coka Nostra - A Brand You Can Trust (album review) |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/37508/La-Coka-Nostra-A-Brand-You-Can-Trust/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=[[Sputnikmusic]]}}</ref> Thomas Quinlan of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' said "La Coka Nostra are an interesting collection of collaborators that live up to the hype".<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Coka Nostra A Brand You Can Trust |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/la_coka_nostra-_brand_you_can_trust_2 |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=[[Exclaim!]]}}</ref>

On March 2, 2012, it was announced that Schrody would be leaving La Coka Nostra due to his daughter's medical issues,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Peter |date=July 4, 2013 |title=Organic hip hop - Everlast : Exploring music |pages=D9 |work=The Ottawa Citizen}}</ref> while O'Connor and Dimant pursued two more project with the group ''[[Masters of the Dark Arts]]'' (2012) and ''[[To Thine Own Self Be True]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=Masters Of The Dark Arts |date=2012 |last1=O'Connor |first1=Danny "Danny Boy" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Fatbeats |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=FB5158 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last2=Dimant |first2=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first3=George "Slaine" |last3=Carroll |first4=William "Ill Bill" |last4=Braunstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url= |title=To Thine Own Self Be True |date=2016 |last1=O'Connor |first1=Danny "Danny Boy" |type=CD |medium= |language=English |publisher=Fatbeats |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date= |id=FB5178 |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |last2=Dimant |first2=Leor "Dj Lethal" |first3=George "Slaine" |last3=Carroll |first4=William "Ill Bill" |last4=Braunstein}}</ref>

House of Pain reunited at a private event held by [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] president [[Dana White]] in [[Boston]] on [[Saint Patrick's Day|St. 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 annual [[Epicenter (music festival)|Epicenter music festival]] in [[Fontana, 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 with [[Limp Bizkit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2011/02/c-lance-interview/ |title=C-Lance [Interview&#93; · |publisher=Hiphopcanada.com |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=April 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iconvsicon.com/2011/01/25/house-of-pain-announces-reunion-tour-to-celebrate-20th-anniversary/ |title=House Of Pain Announces Reunion Tour To Celebrate 20th Anniversary |date=January 26, 2011 |publisher=Icon vs. Icon |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418220359/http://www.iconvsicon.com/2011/01/25/house-of-pain-announces-reunion-tour-to-celebrate-20th-anniversary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April–May 2011 House of Pain attended the [[Groovin' the Moo]] touring festival in Australia, and also performed at Scotland's [[T in the Park]] festival on July 9, 2011, as well as [[Sonisphere Festival#UK|Sonisphere 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.mxdwn.com/2017/03/08/news/house-of-pain-announces-25th-anniversary-for-jump-around-tour-dates-for-summer-2017/|title=House Of Pain Announces 25th Anniversary For Jump Around Tour Dates For 2017|last1=Lee|first1=Christopher|website=MXDWN|date=March 8, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>

Between reunions and projects together, Schrody continues with his solo career, while Dimant still works with Limp Bizkit, and in 2019 O'Connor opened [[The Outsiders House Museum]] dedicated to both [[The Outsiders (novel)|the novel]] and [[The Outsiders (film)|the film]] ''The Outsiders''.

==Discography==
{{Main article|House of Pain discography}}

*''[[House of Pain (album)|House of Pain]]'' (1992)
*''[[Same as It Ever Was]]'' (1994)
*''[[Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again]]'' (1996)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|House of Pain}}
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
*[http://everlast.bplaced.net/ House Of Pain/La Coka Nostra discography]

{{House of Pain|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Musical trios from California]]
[[Category:Tommy Boy Records artists]]
[[Category:Irish-American culture]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in California]]
[[Category:West Coast hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:Pop-rap groups]]