The Bloodhound Gang is an American rock band from Pennsylvania. Formed in 1992 by rappers Jimmy Pop and Daddy Long Legs (now in Wolfpac), the band is known for its crude lyrics which are full of sexual innuendos. The band has sold more than 6 million albums since its formation and is best known for their singles "Fire Water Burn", "The Bad Touch", "Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo", "Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss", "The Ballad of Chasey Lain", and a hard rock version of The Association's 1966 pop song "Along Comes Mary".
History
Origins, formation and early days (1988–1995) The Bloodhound Gang's origins date back to 1988, when future bandleaders James Moyer Franks and Michael Bowe, both graduates of Perkiomen Valley High School, formed an alternative band called Bang Chamber 8 with classmates Kevin Hennessey and Justin Ianelli. They released an eponymous tape in 1990 before going on to form the Bloodhound Gang in 1992, taking the new band's name from "The Bloodhound Gang", a segment on the 1980s PBS kids' show 3-2-1 Contact that featured three young detectives solving mysteries and fighting crime. Franks and Bowe also took on the stage names "Jimmy Pop Ali" (the "Ali" was later dropped) and "Daddy Long Legs", respectively.
Unable to book shows anywhere else, the Bloodhound Gang first performed in an extra room at the home of future bassist and Jimmy Pop's Temple University classmate Jared Hennegan's house, in exchange for Schlitz beer, Marlboro cigarettes, and a chance to hand out their first demo tape, titled Just Another Demo. When the floor caved in one night, they began performing every month at CBGBs in New York City. When asked about the band's tenure at the club, Jimmy Pop was quoted as saying, "I've seen cavemen with better clubs."
In April 1994, the band released their second demo tape, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Hitler's Handicapped Helpers. This resulted in a record deal with Cheese Factory Records.
In summer 1994, Jimmy Pop had a small role in the short independent film The Chick That Was Naked by independent filmmaker Kurt Fitzpatrick; a song by the band was also used on its soundtrack.
In November 1994, the Bloodhound Gang released their first EP, Dingleberry Haze.
Use Your Fingers (1995) In March 1995, the Bloodhound Gang signed a record deal with Columbia Records. They released their first full-length album, titled Use Your Fingers. They began touring around the United States. At this time, Daddy Long Legs and M.S.G. (Matthew Clarke), who were angry with Columbia Records, left the band to form another rap group, Wolfpac. Bass player Hennegan and turntablist Tard-E-Tard joined the group as replacements, with Hennegan taking on the stage name "Evil Jared Hasselhoff". When the tour ended, the deal with Columbia Records was dropped and band members Skip O'Pot2Mus (Scott Richard) and Tard-E-Tard left to pursue careers outside of the music industry.
One Fierce Beer Coaster (1996–1997) In March 1996, the band, which had a completely new line-up alongside Jimmy Pop, recorded their second full-length album, One Fierce Beer Coaster, with Richard Gavalis, a producer and owner of Dome Sound Studios, in Royersford, Pennsylvania, local to Jimmy Pop. Lupus Thunder had recorded with Gavalis at the Dome with a former band, and introduced Jimmy Pop to Gavalis, who had the first studio in the area to embrace computer recording and could edit live instruments in ways other studios could not. This led to a relationship that followed through to the band's next albums. One Fierce Beer Coaster was first released on Cheese Factory Records (now Republic Records).