House Of Heroes – A look back

House Of Heroes got their start as a high school punk outfit in Columbus, OH working under the name Plan B. Two name changes and almost two decades later, they’ve released six albums, three EPs, and various singles and B-sides… a lot of music to wade through if you’ve never heard them before! Over the years their sound has shifted and morphed like smoke, but wherever you look, you’re sure to find smart, quality rock n roll. Here’s the quick rundown of their career and some of our favorite picks…

Ten Months, 2001, Four Door Entertainment
Wanna go really obscure? This was the first and only album HOH released under the name No Tagbacks. (The name change was a solid idea, right?) This might be a tricky one to track down. Comment below and let us know if you’ve heard it!

What You Want is Now, 2003, Vanishing Point Records
The first release as House Of Heroes, this record was produced by Scott Stiletta of Plankeye and marked the beginnings of their classic Brit-pop influenced rock sound, laying the foundation for the HOH we know today. After years out of print, a Gotee re-release has brought this classic back for new fans to discover.

We Like: “Something of an Optimist,” “Honesty”

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House of Heroes/Say No More, 2005, Gotee Records
What You Want caught the attention of Toby McKeehan, leading to HOH’s signing with Gotee Records, their label home for most of their music to come. You’ll find it now with updated artwork and a couple new songs as its 2006 release Say No More.

We Like: “Mercedes Baby,” “Serial Sleepers”

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The End is Not the End, 2008, Gotee Records
Hailed by critics as one of the best albums of the year, this breakout hit solidified HOH as a band to watch in the Christian rock scene. Blending smart, solid songwriting with a fantastic rock ‘n’ roll sound, this is still perhaps the HOH album all the rest are measured by.

We Like: “If,” “Lose Control,” “In the Valley of the Dying Sun”

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Suburba, 2010, Gotee Records
After making their mark with the intricate and powerful The End is Not the End, HOH went back to their roots… high school, that is. Suburba is a fun rock album about, well, suburban teenage life in America. Okay, not the deepest subject matter, but with a clever, carefree vibe and musical nods to heroes like Queen and Tom Petty, the result is instantly likable, straight up fun rock ‘n’ roll.

We Like: “God Save the Foolish Kings,” “Love is for the Middle Class”

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Cold Hard Want, 2012, Gotee Records
Mix the dark, edgy intricacy of The End with the playfully aggressive pop rock of Suburba, and you get Cold Hard Want, an album that rounded out the trifecta of awesome from HOH’s Gotee years. (And the album that grabbed my attention and made me a fan.) Catchy tracks, thought-provoking songwriting, tight hooks, depth and fun? It’s all in there.

We Like: “Dance (Blow It All Away),” “Touch This Light,” “Comfort Trap”

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The Knock Down Drag-Outs, 2013, Gotee Records
If you listened to all their full-lengths and have a hankering for more, you’re in luck! HOH has churned out a number of EPs and extra songs over the years, and most of them are collected here. If nothing else, you gotta love the Fab Four covers from their House Of Heroes Meets the Beatles EP.

We Like: “Lovesick Zombie,” “Patient,” “Ob-la-di Ob-la-da”

Colors, 2016, Independent (buy)
Which brings us to now. Things had been fairly quiet until HOH released the excellent Smoke EP and announced an IndieGogo campaign for a brand new, independently released concept record. Two years later, Colors is ready for the world, and judging by the preview single “Colors Run,” it’s gonna rock. Welcome back, heroes!