Hazen Street

ByLets Go Punk
Hazen Street is a New York supergroup that blended hardcore and rap rock on one 2004 album and has reunited for festivals and tours ever since.

Hazen Street is a band built from veterans of New York hardcore and alternative rock who came together for one punchy 2004 album and then kept returning for festivals, reunions, and tours whenever schedules lined up.

New York Heavyweights Start A New Project

The band formed in early 2004 as a supergroup rooted in New York City. The lineup pulled in vocalist Freddy Cricien and bassist Hoya Roc from Madball, vocalist Toby Morse from H2O, guitarist David Kennedy from projects like Box Car Racer and Over My Dead Body, and drummer Mackie Jayson, known for his work with Cro-Mags and Bad Brains. The idea was simple enough. Take people already used to loud rooms and give them space to mix hardcore, rap rock, and heavy riffs under a new name. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

The name Hazen Street came from the address of the former Queens House of Detention in New York, which fit the tough, street level tone of the songs they were writing. Musician Chad Gilbert, from Shai Hulud and later New Found Glory, co wrote and helped record every track on their debut album. Label conflicts eventually forced Gilbert to step away from the band and he was replaced by Brian “Mitts” Daniels of Madball on rhythm guitar. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

The 2004 Debut And WWE Spotlight

Hazen Street played the ExtremeThing festival in March 2004, then supported Story of the Year on a U.S. tour that spring. They released their self titled debut album, Hazen Street, on DC Flag, the label run by Good Charlotte’s Joel and Benji Madden. The record blended thick guitars, shouted hooks, and rap influenced cadences, creating something that sat between hardcore, rap rock, and radio ready choruses. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

In August 2005 the band hinted online that they were starting work on a second record. Those plans stalled as members focused on their main bands and Kennedy shifted his time to Angels & Airwaves. The new album never materialized, but Hazen Street still left a mark through songs that kept popping up in sports and wrestling contexts. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

The track “Are You Ready?” became the official theme song for WWE Survivor Series 2006, which took place at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. That placement pushed their sound to wrestling fans worldwide and ensured that even people who never saw them live might recognize at least one chorus. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Reunions, Festivals, And European Tours

After the first run of activity wound down, Hazen Street resurfaced periodically. In June 2009 they reunited for a one off show in New York City, supporting H2O. In 2011 they played East Coast Tsunami Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania, a gathering that brought together hardcore, punk, and metal bands for a multi day lineup. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

The band appeared at Groezrock in Belgium in 2012, bringing their material to a European festival crowd. Later announcements placed them on bills with groups like Rancid and other punk and hardcore staples in New York City. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

In 2023 Hazen Street joined Madball and H2O on the Rebellion Tour across Europe. For many fans it was the first chance to see the band outside recordings, since their schedule has always depended on a pile of other projects and commitments. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Band Members

  • Toby Morse – vocals, frontperson known for his work in H2O
  • Freddy Cricien – vocals, bringing his Madball energy into a new context
  • Hoya Roc – bass, locking down the low end with the same weight he brought to Madball
  • Mackie Jayson – drums and percussion, veteran of Cro-Mags and Bad Brains
  • David Kennedy – lead guitar, associated with Box Car Racer, Over My Dead Body, and later Angels & Airwaves
  • Chad Gilbert – rhythm guitar and backing vocals in the early recording period
  • Brian “Mitts” Daniels – rhythm guitar and backing vocals after Gilbert’s departure
  • Garrett Krinsky – tambourine and backing vocals in mid 2000s activity
  • Jason Lederman – drums and percussion during part of 2004

Discography

  • Hazen Street (2004) – self titled debut album on DC Flag Records, blending hardcore, rap rock, and hook driven choruses.

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