(Hed) p.e. based out of Huntington Beach, California have been considered pioneers in their quest for answers through their music. For over a decade the band has been releasing albums that have been both entertaining and controversial. Founder Jared wanted to create a raw and truthful fusion of punk, funk, and hardcore rock which they’ve termed “G-Funk.”  Never sticking to one particular genre, (Hed) p.e. brings their music to the next level with each album. Evolution (released July 22, 2014) is all about taking us back to their metal, funk and hardcore roots that have brought this band so much success since the beginning.

Evolution starts off with in your face attitude, with heavier songs that bring forward issues that are most important in our world today covering a broad spectrum of controversial and brutally honest lyrical content.  Songs like “No Turning Back,” as well as “Lost in Babylon” and “Jump The Fence” will get you pumped up and make you want to hit repeat on this release. Jared is a dynamic vocalist, combining rapping, screams, growls and singing into his body of work. It’s clear these guys are passionate about their music, both lyrically and musically. Evolution has a solid playlist that shows how far they’ve come in the past ten years.  Surprisingly at the end are three heavily funk laden reggae songs such as “Nowhere2Go,” “Let It Burn” and one of my personal favorites, “Hold On.” While I wish the transition was not so extreme from one genre to the next, at least for this listener, I really enjoyed the relaxing beats and captivating vocal delivery.

In my quest of learning about this band, I wondered where the name comes from. Frontman Jared says “The name (Hed) p.e. is a name I came up with which basically means our consciousness is connected to the planet and the planet is evolving, therefore, we as her children, evolve with her. The “p.e.” originally was defined as PLANETARY EVOLUTION, and sometimes morphs to PLANET EARTH and back, but both carry the same message, the (Hed) is the symbol for consciousness. WE ARE ON THE MOTHERSHIP!”

This is a fantastic effort by a band that has now become legend, have a listen, give it a spin we’re all on this planet together and this band has something to say! As their quest for answers continues, so will the albums that ride the lines of politically incorrect and rise up against world injustice in a brilliant way. Always pushing forward, empowering youth and exposing the New World Order, Evolution is built on heavy engaging guitar work, a dark groove, and well thought out lyrical progressions.