House of Pain - "Legend" and "On Point" (Live on the Jon Stewart Show) (September 14, 1994)

House of Pain was an American hip-hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast. The group's name is a reference to the H. G. Wells novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, a reference carried further by the naming of their 2011 tour He Who Breaks the Law. The group is best known for its 1992 hit single "Jump Around", which reached number 3 in their native United States of America, number 6 in Ireland and number 8 in the United Kingdom. The group broke up in 1996 due to what Everlast described as a toxic environment fueled by Danny Boy's drug addiction. Lead rapper Everlast eventually went on to pursue a solo career as a Blues Rock artist and member of the supergroup La Coka Nostra which also featured DJ Lethal. House of Pain reunited briefly in 2010 for a world tour.

In 1990, Daniel O'Connor (Danny Boy O'Connor) got together with fellow rapper Erik Schrody (Everlast) who had just released a rap album called Forever Everlasting (1990), that didn't have much success. O'Connor knew Schrody when he went to 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 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 Diamant (DJ Lethal), who actually of Latvian descent, and House of pain was created.[citation needed] 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.[1][additional citation(s) needed] 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 credits O'Connor's art work to have initially caught their attention.[citation needed]

In 1992, they released their debut album House of Pain, subtitled Fine Malt Lyrics.[2] Their first single "Jump Around" was a major hit. In the United States, it peaked at number 3 on the 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,[3] and is certified platinum.[4] The song was produced by Lawrence Muggerud (DJ Muggs) and performed by Schrody. Both Muggerud and Schrody explain that song came about shortly after they both met. Muggerud who had a beat he had submitted to various artist, eventually invited Schrody to give it a try. Schrody wrote lyrics in his driveway and 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 suggest to trim down to "Jump Around". While re-working his lyrics, Muggerud came up with the iconic horn that accompany the song.[5] Their second single "Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Boom Shalock Lock Boom)", it 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.[citation needed] The album peaked at 14 on the Billboard 200,[6] 14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums,[7] 16 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[8] 14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales,[9] and is certified platinum.[4]

1993–1996: Subsequent success and group's breakup[edit source]
In 1993, they were among the rap artists who had cameo roles in Ted Demme's film Who's the Man?.[10][11] For this project they provided a theme song by the same name, which was also used as a single for the 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] Also that year, they participated together with Helmet, along with several other rap acts, on the 1993 rap rock collaborative Judgment Night film soundtrack.

In 1994, they released Same as It Ever Was.[12] The album peaked at 12 equally on the Billboard 200,[6] the U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums,[7] the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[8] the U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales,[9] and is certified gold.[4] AllMusic gave it four out five stars.[13] 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".[14] J.D. Constantine of The Baltimore Sun did not like album and found it monotonous and unimaginative.[15] Roger Catlin of the Hartford Courant said that while finding the continuity monotonous it's "hard and compelling" as well as a "strong outing".[16]